Blind or Stupid ?

Medicare will go broke by 2019, seven years earlier than predicted a year ago, and could begin squeezing the rest of the federal budget as soon as 2011, according to a report released Tuesday by the trustees of Medicare and Social Security.

The annual report blamed the deterioration in Medicare's long-term financial outlook on lower-than-expected revenue from workers' payroll taxes, higher spending on health care and the prescription drug benefit Congress passed last year. Social Security's outlook changed little; it is expected to remain solvent until 2042.

The annual report has predicted impending bankruptcy for Medicare and Social Security for years. No one expects the prediction to come true. Rather, it is designed to show what could happen if no action were taken to fix the problems.

The Medicare trustees have reported that because of George Bush's irresponsible tax breaks for the wealthy and his giveaway to the prescription drug companies, Medicare might not even be there for our generation,"
I know that there needs to be a complete overhaul with higher taxes and more control over medical costs. These options are not going to make people happy but without Medicare our seniors will be facing real death panels.  There is no way that seniors can afford medical coverage of 12 to 15 thousand a year even with 3 to 4 thousand Paul; Ryan vouchers. The simple fact is that we need to get Private money making Ins. companies out of the health care business and go to a single payer system. Don't hold your breath because when it comes to money most American politicians and businessmen will fight and lie to keep the lion share. No one in power cares if an old person lives or dies. They just want money and power. If you can't see this your are either blind or stupid.