Susie Huffman – 10/4/06

This page was last updated on October 7, 2006.

Medicare Part D is a travesty; Susie Huffman; Beaver County Times; October 4, 2006.

As I’ve noted many times before, I believe the Medicare prescription drug plan was wrong because the government has no business providing healthcare benefits. The point of this critique is to show this letter’s lack of logic.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“Once you have retired, you would think that life would be a little kinder.”

[RWC] Why?

“But it’s not, thanks to U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum and President Bush. They collaborated to create a Medicare Part D program to show past governments that they had the wherewithal to get things done without big government.”

[RWC] How was adding to a big government program supposed “to show past governments that they had the wherewithal to get things done without big government?”

“Their aim to provide medication for all senior citizens was a farce. To me, they made an agreement with private health-care and pharmaceutical companies at our expense.”

[RWC] As you read her letter, it’s obvious Ms. Huffman wanted Medicare Part D to be free and to pay the complete bill for her prescriptions. The fact that it’s an insurance program requiring premium payments makes it a “farce” for Ms. Huffman.

“It is unbelievable how this government exploited us by making us choose a medical carrier that presented high-price co-payments for medication.”

[RWC] What is Ms. Huffman talking about? In Pennsylvania alone, there are 28 companies competing for your business and most of them offer multiple plans. You choose the plan that makes the most sense for you. If you believe you’d be better off not using the program, you can do that too.

“I am paying more for medicine on my fixed income than I did when I was working. Why should the working class have to pay only $5 for a 90-day supply of medication when I have to pay $30 for a 30-day supply?”

[RWC] This is a bum comparison. When Ms. Huffman was working, either directly or indirectly she was paying for her prescription drug coverage. Since I bet at least of her premium was hidden from view by her employer, Ms. Huffman likely has no idea what her premium payments were.

“These leaders have divided the country. They have not allowed senior citizens to enjoy their golden years. They’ve added an extra burden with this program. Some people are eligible for extra help in getting medication, while others are turned down.”

[RWC] How does providing an additional benefit add “an extra burden?”

Regarding her comment about “[s]ome people are eligible for extra help … while others are turned down,” eligibility depends on your income. According to Medicare, “If your resources are less than $11,500 (single) or $23,000 (married) you may qualify for extra help paying for Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage.”

“But the crushing blow will come when many of us who cannot afford the high co-pays will have to pay cost for prescriptions when we reach an allotted amount.

“How can I pay hundreds of dollars on my Social Security allotment and live? I worry daily about how I can pay for my medication and make ends meet while meeting my food and daily living expenses.”

[RWC] This makes no sense. Before Medicare Part D, Ms. Huffman would have been spending even more for her medications.

On a side note, if her retirement planning consisted of depending solely on Socialist Security benefits, she did a lousy job. Socialist Security benefits are intended to replace only about 40% of earnings for people who had “average” earnings.

“In essence, we were forced into taking a Medicare program or risk a penalty. What kind of government exploits their senior citizens in this manner?”

[RWC] “[W]e were forced into taking a Medicare program or risk a penalty?” Not quite. You can choose not to participate. In that case, you’re responsible for paying for your medication out of pocket just a prior to Medicare Part D. The penalty is applies only if you choose to enroll part way into the year. This is because the program is an insurance program. Without a penalty, Medicare recipients could get away with paying no premiums until they needed to buy medication. It would be akin to buying fire insurance as your house is burning down.

This letter is a mixture of illogic and Democrat talking points.

I don’t know Ms. Huffman, but I suspect someone is exploiting her politically.