Blog Update - The Governments' Response to the poor!
The intent of the Social Security System to provide income security for the Aging and Disabled Citizens continues to be one of the most challenging Government Programs.
While the Social Security Benefit Premiums for Medicare Part A,B and D increase each year for the elderly and disabled, the cost of living payment does not increase at a significant rate to cover the new premiums. The beneficiaries continue to scrape by barley on enough to survive, sometimes going without food or needed medicine. They are constantly making adjustments to their everyday living arraingements by deciding if they have to go without electricity or winter clothing which continues to drive many of them into poverty.
The Governments' Response to trying to make the Social Security System more solvent will continue to be a major challenge due to the many obstacles by congress and other constituents. There are many ideas from various parties, but none of the current ones being used are addressing future problems. The band aide that congress has affixed to the current issues of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security is a temporary fix only. The cost of health care is continuing to rise at astronomical rates and the population of the elderly continue to rise. The unemployment rates continue to rise, leaving the social security system with enormous deficits and decreased funding for these programs. The service delivery aspect of the program needs to provide more sound care for the beneficiaries. The elderly and disabled should not be forced into poverty because of the increased premiums being passed along to them. They should be provided with adequate insurance that is affordable and adjusted to their income level. We must find better and more permanent solutions that will help address the current and future issues.
It seems that something needs to be done with the cost of health care and medication much more quickly than our leaders will be able to agree upon a good solution. Maybe if they covered more of the medication costs they would pressure the companies not to charge such insane prices for prescription drugs. My father in law has one type of medication (among many) that costs over $700 a month. They are lucky that they still have regular health care to help offset the costs, but it is staggering how much they must spend. I can't imagine how the people that are barely getting by will be able to stay out of the poverty area once they have to pay for medications.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you medical costs are very important and should be adjusted to fit each persons individual level of income not just a flat out out ridiculously expensive rate for everyone because even people who actually can afford to pay their own insurance probably have to sacrifice a lot for it. And with rising costs and unemployment there really isn't much people left to cover those Medicaid programs of social security.
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