Medicare facts

Jama has some useful facts on Medicare.

see http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1456081 for source

Marylanders strongly support Affordable Care Act, poll shows

http://healthcareforall.com/2012/11/marylanders-strongly-support-affordable-care-act-poll-shows-2

This confirms that most people, particularly those that would most benefit from Obamacare, are not aware of all the law’s benefits. Consistent with other studies. Wish we could do more to educate. Hope that in 2014, we can make folks aware of their benefits both in maryland and other states.

Cheer up, Papa John’s. Obamacare gave you a good deal. Posted by Ezra Klein on November 19, 2012

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/cheer-up-papa-johns-obamacare-gave-you-a-good-deal/2012/11/19/641f3732-327f-11e2-92f0-496af208bf23_blog.html


This column makes an excellent case that Obamacare is a good deal for many of the chain restaurants, etc that have been cutting employee hours. There is no good justification for these chains for doing so. They are only using the law as an excuse to cut pay. They are only hurting themselves.

As indicated in other articles, many chains like papa john, McDonald's, Applebee's, etc. have cut hours arguing that Obamacare is too expensive. This article indicates the costs are very small and probably save much in the long term.

Kaiser Materials on Deficit Reduction Talks

http://www.kff.org/medicare/Medicare-Medicaid-Deficit-Resources.cfm

Kaiser Family Foundation has put together a series of materials that discusses the impact of various deficit reduction proposals for the Medicare and medicaid programs. 

Articles from Today's News about Obamacare

1)

Very useful comments from Ron Pollock of Families USA.   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_FKn4C4H40&feature=youtu.be

 

2) Politico: Exit polls 2012: Split on Obamacare

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1112/83427.html?hp=l4_b4

3) Politico: Obamacare survives -- now what?

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1112/83473.html# 

  4) CNN: 

Exit polls: Obamacare remains a hot-button issue

  5) Sorry to see that Pete Stark lost in California.  He made many important contributions to health care over the years, primarily as Chair of House Ways and Means Committee subcommittee on Health.  The committee that had jurisdiction over the Medicare program.  I worked on one of his bills, physician incentive plan regulations for Medicare HMOs (Known today as medicare advantage plans) 

 

 

 

How sweet it is. Obamacare moves forward

Naturally very thrilled that Obama was reelected.  At least, that which is in his control on Obamacare can move forward.  Very glad that the Senate will be as strong as before if not slightly stronger in the Democrats hands.  Not clear on House results. It looks like the Democrats have the potential to gain a couple of seats compared to where they are now. But unclear as there are 12 seats that are considered undecided as of 7:30 a.m.   Right now the NYTimes says 191 dems, 232 Republicans and they had 242 in the current House.

Very glad that Marriage Equality and the DREAM Act passed in Maryland.  

Watch the video and read the transcript of President Obama's speech: http://nyti.ms/REUcJ0
this was a great speech.

Watch Kaiser Health News  for reaction on health care issues.  I will try to include those items in a new post. 

Recent postings on Facebook

here are some recent items that I posted on the National Health Reform Team for Obama facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/NationalHealthReformTeamForObama?ref=ts

1) 

http://triblive.com/opinion/featuredcommentary/2877429-74/obamacare-health-care-government-romney-democrats-ann-coulter-crisis-federal#axzz2B260uR3F

I share this to indicate what some of the opposition has to say. I disagree with most of the points being made in this column.

2) 
 

http://quiz.preview.kff.org/medicaid/medicaid-quiz.aspx

Kaiser's Medicaid Quiz

quiz.preview.kff.org

How much do you know about Medicaid, the role it plays in the lives of many Americans, how program dollars are spent and how Medicaid eligibility will change under health reform? Take this inter

3)

http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Publications/Issue-Briefs/2012/Nov/Jobs-Without-Benefits.aspx

 The polls show that even on Medicare, Obama has only a slight lead over Romney. Hard to understand why there is such a small gap. Are they not aware of Romney's plan to turn Medicare into a voucher program.


 4)

Women in the United States—both with and without health insurance—are more likely to go without needed health care because of cost and have greater difficulty paying their medical bills than women in the 10 other countries. In 2014, the Affordable Care Act will substantially reduce health care cost exposure for all U.S. women by significantly expanding and improving health insurance coverage.

5)

http://www.kff.org/medicare/8373.cfm

This study shows seniors would have higher costs under premium support.

Transforming Medicare into a Premium Support System: Implications for Beneficiary Premiums

www.kff.org

The study examines why geography would matter for Medicare beneficiaries under a premium support system that relies on a competitive bidding process envisioned under several key Medicare reform proposals.

6) 

http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/10/20121012a.html

this is quite a step forward and Obamacare has played a role in this

People With Medicare Have More High Quality Choices

www.hhs.gov

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that people with Medicare have more high quality choices and the performance of Medicare Advantage plans is improving. HHS also released the 2013 quality ratings for Medicare health and drug

7)

What does the Romney-Ryan Medicare plan cost you??
How much does it cost you? Flyer and sources here http://bit.ly/PqhPGp

8) 

http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/65-older/index.html

this provides a good overview of the benefits of Obamacare for seniors. There are many preventive services covered.

65 or Older | HealthCare.gov

www.healthcare.gov

Know what health insurance rights and protections are available to people ages 65 or older through the Affordable Care Act. Learn more at HealthCare.gov.