Medicare Benefits: Are They Secure or at Risk?

There is something that I wish I knew more about and that is, what is just around the corner for us souls receiving Medicare benefits.
Recently, my wife and I have had the good fortune of being tucked under the protective wing of The Council on Aging. The contact person came to our home and very concernedly inquired as to what services did we need. Even to the point of informing us of services we did not know existed. My wife has received a Hoveround Power Wheelchair, a Life Alert system, personal hygiene materials for incontinence, even an offer for free food. Through a healthcare organization, a respite service, whereby a companion visits our home and acts as a companion to her, allowing me to leave the house and run errands without having to worry about my wife. This has been a godsend. We are very grateful for the assistance.

Are these benefits because of the present administration, or in spite of it?

Are the benefits permanent, or will they cease following an election? The way the GAO is going, I wonder if there is a possibility of them "un-funding" the program like they have with other programs.

I cannot find mention of them in the Constitution nor the Bill of Rights, guaranteeing their continuation and am very concerned. Can the benefits be abolished by some committee or does it take an act of Congress?

I am serious about this. This is not a tongue-in-cheek posting. If anyone knows the answer, please post it. I am sure that I am not the only one concerned about this.
If the answer hinges on the upcoming election, then I know how I am voting!

Obviously, no one wishes to address this issue.

You could have shortened that last post down to the last line as the rest was just above it.

It appears to me that no discussion is required, sadly many feel this same way. Today's voter doesn't consider what is good for his country or even his own children or grandchildren....they simply want what THEY can get now.

To put it in perspective, the cost to your grandchildren of your $2,000 power chair would be something like $500,000......half of their life's earnings, but since you are not footing the bill...it doesn't concern you. That is how socialism works, it pits one class of people against the other.

You will not find entitlement programs in the US Constitution.... because the very purpose of the Constitution is to prevent them.

"A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous, they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue, then they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader." - Sam Adams

It appears to me that no discussion is required, sadly many feel this same way. Today's voter doesn't consider what is good for his country or even his own children or grandchildren....they simply want what THEY can get now.

To put it in perspective, the cost to your grandchildren of your $2,000 power chair would be something like $500,000......half of their life's earnings, but since you are not footing the bill...it doesn't concern you. That is how socialism works, it pits one class of people against the other.

You will not find entitlement programs in the US Constitution.... because the very purpose of the Constitution is to prevent them.

"A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader." - Sam Adams        

How in the world can you make me out to be a non-caring person wanting my grandchildren to pay for my benefits?    I was merely saying that I was thankful for the benefits I received.    Are you advocating that if I vote for Obama I am placing the cost of what I received on the backs of my children?    If I vote for Romney, I will not be doing that to my grandchildren. I am not sure about either one of them.
However, I am sure that the guy who gets a job because of either one of them will surely vote for the one responsible.    People voted for the politician who vowed that if elected he would bring all the troops home from the Middle East.    Well, some of the politicians promised that, got elected,    and our kids are still over there.
Isn't the price tag that you put on "my hoveround that my grandchildren will have to pay for, ($500,000.00)" a little out of line? Even with the projected inflation figures?

That is not quite right MMSH.

Socialism is based on a tenet of social ownership and a group collective approach to the means of production. Goods and services would be produced for use by the people other than for profit by the greedy. This is driven by humans and their need for services and goods and not by some power-hungry mogul chasing the almighty dollar until he screws the population of whatever country you live in, as it appears we all live in the USA.

Goodbye from Australia.

That is one more thing. This site is not only about you Americans, so when you talk, maybe remembering that would be handy. It does not surprise me, but.

Remarks that do make.

Kenny,
You are right, this site is not only for Americans, but I will take the liberty of speaking for us Americans when I say that American politics is what we are all more familiar with and interested in. It seems that most every time one of us Americans posts anything political, you immediately rise to attack, saying how our politics are so awful. I cannot understand for the life of me why someone who hates this country as much as you seem to bother to respond to the pitiful remarks that are posted.
And you always add a little personal poison along with your little darts of disdain in having to tolerate our ignorance.

I am quite familiar with the concept, it has been around for eons and has never been successful any time or place.

When you deprive the industrious thinker and worker of the just profits from his ideas and hard work.....the desire for ideas and hard work ceases.

Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.
Winston Churchill

MMSH,
I would like to know what I said that caused you to respond as you did. Did I word it wrong or did you misinterpret my meaning? I meant to say that I would probably vote for the candidate that I felt improved my position. That not only meant improving my position, but others as well. Don't you think that all voters are going to follow that line? That is precisely why politicians campaign, kiss babies, shake hands, and give speeches always aimed at the working class. They try to appeal personally to the individual voter for support by offering answers to the voters' needs and wants. And it usually works. After all the facts and figures are in, it is still a popularity contest, wrong... but that's the way it is.
Sonny Bono, Clint Eastwood, Shirley Temple Black, James Thompson, even Ronald Reagan (although he was the exception later, or was he?) got into office by winning the popularity contest.

CD, no I don't think that number is too far of a stretch. Consider the massive number of bureaucrats on the payroll at Medicare...consider that even a janitor in government employ makes 50k per year...not counting benefits (double that for a realistic value)...consider that there are no funds to pay for goods and services but that everything is "on the credit" when will it be paid off, a hundred years maybe...consider 100 years of interest.

Back in the 1960s there was a study done on government purchases...I remember that it determined that a claw hammer cost the taxpayers approx 600$...this was in the late 60's....can you imagine today's cost??

To vote for a candidate simply based on what they promise (goods or services), paid for by others, is unacceptable to my personal code of honor. Not everyone feels that same way...that is what the Sam Adams quote refers to.

It appears to me, by your original post, that that is what you intend. (Nothing personal)

I don't think you will find a single "entitlement" program introduced by the Republican Party...it's possible that some may have voted in favor, but the Democrats started the entitlement "mess" that today's taxpayer has to pay for every week in payroll and other taxes.

From memory (don't quote me) there are 3 people paying into Medicare for every one person drawing from it...do the math...it's a system that can only fail and fail "big"...to think that everything is going to be okay...well it isn't.

Ok, rant off.

Please post one entitlement program that the GOP has "unfunded"....just one.

This is a standard Democrat "scare tactic"...since they can't stand on a single economic improvement in the last 3.5 years and $34 trillion (from memory, but you get the picture).

They got nothing....

Please post one entitlement program that the GOP has "unfunded"....just one.

This is a standard Democrat "scare tactic"...since they can't stand on a single economic improvement in the last 3.5 years and $34 trillion (from memory, but you get the picture)

They got nothing....        

Hey buddy, (RE: un-funding) I didn't say GOP, I said GAO (General Accounting Office).
I suppose you are right about the right thing to do, no, you ARE right,     but I find it hard to vote for something or someone who is going to harm me or my family. Inversely, I must vote for someone or something that is going to be beneficial to me or my family.

I notice your attempt to extract a reply to your own comments, CD. I don't attempt to do that. Oh, and by the way, I do not have a problem with the United States at all, but at times I have problems with people who gush forth their own bile.

Now I will let you fight with your own comrade.

One does not fight with their own comrades, they debate.    No, I know you don't do that Kenny.    Maybe I should strive a little harder to achieve your level of perfection?    But there can't be levels of perfection, can there?    It is either perfect or it is not.    Besides, perfection    is not profitable...only one person was perfect and look what they did to him....

OK, I am getting a little bit confused here... Is your question really about continuing to receive the "free" benefits because of (1) being elderly, and (2) being disabled? If it's to do with what you've already received - and if you'll still continue to receive them, then the answer is "yes". How did the Council on Aging even know to come to your home and inquire about services you needed? Did your research locate their local chapter? Even though this is federal funding, each state has their own local chapters for consumers to tap into. The Council on Aging has been around for decades and in place to help seniors "in need" get the services that they "need" to have some sort of quality of life. They are a very knowledgeable group who will hook you up to services, products, food stamps, etc. if they see you truly do have a need. My hat goes out to them because there are so many seniors who are disabled who do not know where to turn to get the help they need. Now, if your question is really about future generations getting what they need, then I have no answers for that. Politics has always been around and fears of choosing the wrong person to run our government has always been a concern, too, throughout the generations. Why should it be any different with this election? We are forced (or not) to make educated decisions on who to elect and for what reasons we feel are important. I doubt very much that voting for any of these "candidates" will change very much for the future generations. Why? Because "we the People" won't let them. We will join every bandwagon to stop them because we do have a voice! Hey, I have an Autistic son. I am also disabled/elderly. I know who to hit, who to reach out to, where to get the help we both need - because I'm a fighter who will NOT put up with BS. If you want something, then do something about it. Online is a great way to start and sign petitions that just sometimes do make a difference in us being "heard"... Personally, I'm not too concerned about the future generations because most of them will be more highly educated than we've been; therefore, it will be their fight for their rights that they'll have to get involved with. It is OUR lives right now that means all the difference in the world to US. We are here to fight OUR issues. They will be there to fight THEIR issues. I am grateful that you and your wife are getting the help that you need. That is what America is all about and we should never forget our privilege of being an American.

Thank you so much, dear lady... I have been taking a pretty good beating for this thread.

Again,    thanks for your support.

Christiesdad: There is no need to thank me! These are my opinions and my experiences. I am confined to living on a very meager income due to being on SSDI for my disability. Because I live below the poverty guidelines, there are many "free" services that I qualify for - and that I have used because I needed to. We are not to be discriminated against because of our age nor our disabilities. This is the American creed. If someone wants to harp on us for "using" the services that we are entitled to, then that's too bad! There are reasons that these "free" services are available to us. I wonder how the people doing the negative commenting would like to (1) be totally disabled, and (2) live below poverty level guidelines (which are federal, by the way). People just jump to conclusions that people like us are "soaking the system" when in fact, we are trying to survive within the system!! Take no offense to any negative comments. Personally, this site is supposed to be all about supporting each other and not tearing each other apart. The information we share is because we feel "safe" here. I don't feel politics should enter into our comments to each other. Like it's always been said: "never discuss religion or politics" and that's for a good reason. Here's my take: no one else can judge what others need or are entitled to receive. It is our government that makes these decisions based on facts. So, ignore any "ignorant" comments and do whatever you need to do to survive in this very difficult world. I'm a bit upset that people have stooped so low as to sling negative stuff back and forth when there's no reason for it. Take heart and be blessed!!

I will take a wild guess here and assume these comments are directed to me, and I will reply. In the future, you may direct your comments directly to me. I have no problem discussing the facts and not taking anything personally.

Preamble: I am an ostomate myself... I have a very physically demanding job. In the summer, it reaches over 120 degrees quite often in the mechanic shop where I work. In the winter, you're very lucky if it reaches 60 degrees. I make my living based on how much work I produce... They don't just pay me to show up. I must use my muscles and my brain every day to survive. Today's cars are complicated and difficult to access. Everything is "packed in tight" to make the car smaller and more efficient.

I can't speak for everyone, but I can tell you exactly how I feel when I get my check and 1/3 of it is taken by a reckless federal government to "distribute" to those "in need", a large number of them as able (or more so) as I am to work. I don't like it. That same government who spends trillions of dollars more than they take in expects me to eat peanut butter sandwiches in order to make my house mortgage, electricity, and water bills with what's left.
Those same "in need" people in the checkout line at the grocery store (while I'm buying peanut butter and bread) have their carts loaded down with things I can only dream of affording... I don't like that either.
I'm really sorry if I offend you by wanting to keep the money I earned... How selfish of me.

Comment #2: nbsp; nbsp;This section of the forum is RESERVED for political and other "heated" topics. That's why we discuss them here.

Now, to make my position perfectly clear... I did not take offense at CD for getting any assistance that he qualifies for.
HOWEVER, to sell one's vote to the party offering the most "free stuff", quite frankly, turns my stomach.
It is MY OPINION, nbsp; nbsp;that is basically what he is asking about in the original post. My regards. MMSH

I saw that, Kenny. I don't know what happened, I must have clicked on something that I should not have. My apologies.

MMSH, you keep referring to it as "free stuff" and that I am selling my vote to whoever gives me the most "free stuff." That is not the case at all. People who are in the same boat as I am (and Green Lady too) really appreciate the assistance that we receive. I will say that there is a lot of fraud out there, but there is also a lot of need out there. I think that it is only natural to vote for the one that is not taking the assistance away. I don't know if you have applied for benefits or not, but benefits are not an easy thing to come by. First of all, you have to bare your soul, embarrass yourself, and submit to a position of almost being a beggar. A very humiliating experience. Yes, I will vote for whoever assists not only me but others as well. It would be kind of silly to vote for someone who is going to take away from you.
Who would you vote for? A person that was going to give you air conditioning in your workplace (you mentioned the unfavorable conditions you work in), or someone who said we can't offer any relief, it would cost our great grandchildren too much. I think that you would vote for the air conditioning and not consider it "free stuff".

I cannot help but agree with you, CD. A person who has given the majority of their life to the working force and now finds themselves in need must support those who will provide. We all have burdens, MMSH, and we must face up to them, but I have no problem with those who have worked their way through life and now require some assistance. That is what benefits are about and what they were designed for.

Boy oh boy, it seems that now I've opened up a can of worms! Firstly, I didn't realize that I was in the "wrong room" to participate in forums that I wanted to participate in. I had no idea that this wasn't a generalized area where we're supposed to be supportive of each other. I'm fairly new to this site and am still learning my way through it! Just so you know, I am an ileostomate and will be for the rest of my life.

If you think I was slinging any personal criticism at you, I wasn't. I didn't actually realize it was anyone specific that I was addressing. I was just trying to represent the point that I am disabled and couldn't live without what you call "free handouts". Just having an ostomy can be disabling, but my ostomy is the least of my disabilities. It seems that you are not incapacitated to the extent that some of us are. If you were truly disabled (and living off SS Disability), would you not seek whatever government programs that are out there to help you? After all, you'd be living in poverty as well as being disabled! As I've mentioned before, I have an autistic son who is 100% totally disabled, too. Do you think he could live without Medicaid specifically, which is a "free handout" medical program for the disabled? Should he not qualify for state-funded group homes because his mother is too old/disabled and can't physically care for him anymore? He'll never be able to work, so does that mean he shouldn't get these free programs to cover all of his needs to survive? He was born like this and will never know life as you and I do. He'll always be disabled and he'll always be unemployable. If we didn't have the laws for the "needy" in place, all of these kids would go where? So, now I'm talking about a wider disabled group since 1 in 135 kids born will be diagnosed with autism...so does he "qualify" to receive these "free bennies"?

Also, regarding your harsh working conditions, why has nobody contacted OSHA who does have laws in place about unfair working conditions? OSHA is not a free handout, but is there to stop employers from making employees work in harsh conditions.

Also, I have worked for over 42 years and have never taken one damn dime nor hand-out, even while raising 7 children - and even as a single working parent (some of this period). Sometimes I didn't know where our next meal was coming from, but made sure my kids did get their PBJ's to keep them going! So, having said this, am I not entitled to free services (like Medicaid, food stamps, etc.)? Like you, I have put in my hours, my dedication, my sweat and my loyalty to employers and paid all of my taxes (even when I couldn't afford it). Haven't I paid into the system that has always helped others? Now, here I sit where I need the help and I finally caved in and asked for help, which I now receive.

Yes, I know there are those out there "milking the system" and probably haven't put in one day's worth of meaningful work - and they know how to milk the system that you and I have always paid for out of our paychecks...we can't change that. Only the gov't. can take steps to do more in-depth studies of how these people qualify when they shouldn't. There are always kinks in the system that need to be worked out. Hey, I worked right next to another co-worker who was not a US Citizen. There were 3 of them living together. A couple, who weren't married, but had a child. She and he both worked full time, but they were still able to collect food stamps, get Medicaid for their child and even get cash every month. How did they do that? They did it because they knew how to get around "the system" and qualify! Meanwhile at the same time, I had an autistic son still living with me who didn't qualify for anything until he became 18 - he got no SS Disability, no food stamps, no Medicaid, no nada. He was the one that should have received all of the above, but couldn't get one dime until he reached adult-status. So, I do know there are inequities in the system...but looking into your heart, you know that it's not about us working or paying for others who need it...it's about paying for those who are exploiting the system - that is bothering you and I agree...It's maybe only my opinion, but I believe that people who have been hard working citizens and have always paid into these systems, deserve the help when they become disabled themselves. Like me, living on SS Disability alone, leaves you poor. You can't work - so you can't even supplement your SSDI income. This is where you now qualify for "hand outs" because you are poor. Don't I deserve these so-called "handouts" to survive when I've paid into this all of my 42 years?

Sorry I've run on and on. Even my best friends will tell you that I have verbal and written diarrhea. I mean no harm in any of the above. Take good care! Tricia

Bravo, Tricia!

Tricia, lol...welcome to "Social Discussions"!!! Since you wrote such a long reply, I will try to address each point I disagree with separately.

Re: my harsh working conditions... I work in a metal building that doesn't get much shade. Do I need to involve a government agency to confirm that it will get hotter than the ambient temperature when the sun hits it? What will the government do... command the sun not to shine? No personal harm intended... but only a liberal would expect the government to solve even the simplest problem. Perhaps they could fine my employer, then he could lay off 10 workers to pay the fine? No thanks, I am lucky to have a job... I will stand the heat and the cold, like I always have, like I always will.

If you deserve the help, I have no problem... how are you more disabled than I?

Re: "people milking the system"... yeah... that could be a problem. In my opinion, at least 50% are unqualified.

"We can't change that"... this statement bothers me.

"Only the government can do studies..." nbsplet me translate that... only the fox is qualified to guard the hen house...

In closing, thanks for having the guts to reply... always glad to have a reasonable discussion.
We don't have to agree. Regards. Mmsh

Well, that sums up the whole issue MMSH.

Yes, you can contact the responsible government departments over there. I find it extremely strange that you complain about your working conditions but then you attempt to argue with someone who has only pointed out the fact that you could fight it. Very weird.

What are we now deciding who is more disabled MMSH?

I can't really understand the rest, but let me say your comments are offensive in the extreme and just another reason to think otherwise. I wish I could understand it. Get your head around others' plight, my man.

CD, true story....about 5 years ago, my fan at work broke when I turned it on. The axle just snapped. I pulled the grill and cleaned off the serial plate and called the company and ordered the part. Now...I didn't rely on anyone to solve my problem...I took the required steps. However, I am still without a fan today...it's 8 am maybe and the sweat is already trickling down the small of my back and soaking my ass. It's hot, it's humid, it's Kentucky in the summer. I walk up front, the service manager just happens to be writing service today, in the front shop, behind the service desk...he's sweating too. I say, "Bradley, my fan took a shit, I got the part coming, but I ain't got no fan today." Without hesitation, he motions to the small fan behind the desk... "We don't have any extras...just take mine." That's how a man replies....... Can you guess what I said??? I said, "Naw, I don't think it's gonna be that hot today."

The moral: If someone has to pay the price....I don't need it that bad.

What would you have done?? Having morals is often hard....the choice to have morals...is quite easy.

Well then MMSH don't complain in the first place. We have a woman pointing out her hardships and you complain of being too hot at work!! Give me a break.

Hey, just so everyone knows, MMSH wants to know if I am more disabled than him because we're "equal" in that we both have ostomies! So here goes, guys... Just after the 2 major surgeries in 2008 that resulted in the ileostomy, I fell into a coma for over a week, and as a result, there was a lack of oxygen, and I have lost some valuable brain cells to the point that I can't keep my train of thought or finish a sentence and have to use the thesaurus/spell check constantly because I can't remember if the words are the right ones I want to use - or if they're spelled correctly anymore. I used to be an editor/copy editor/proofreader as well as an executive assistant where my grammar and spelling were impeccable. I no longer have a memory. I can watch a TV series 100 times and don't remember how it goes or ends. On top of the loss of cognitive function, my physical side is really bad since those 7 weeks in ICU/rehab. Please understand that I'm not complaining - I'm just trying to explain that you seem to question my validity of being disabled - especially since we both have ostomies and you're not disabled! One sure way to know if you're not disabled and I am is that YOU WORK for ONE THING. I can no longer work, nor walk even 1/2 a block, can't stand for more than a few minutes at a time, or ever attempt to climb a ladder, or walk on uneven ground, or reach over or lift anything above my head, or carry a gallon of milk because it's over my 5lb. maximum. If I get down on the ground, I can't get back up without someone helping me back up... God forbid I want to get down to pull some weeds in my garden cause I can't get back up! Forget bending over too far to dust my coffee table and lower furniture! Forget Thanksgiving with having to lift a turkey in/out of the oven - because I can't! I'm lucky if I can get a 4lb chicken in/out instead of the turkey. Honey, if I were you and were able to work in that god-awful heat and do mechanics all day long - then I'd be working and not on SSDI. I am a proud 62-year-old who's spent over 42 years working full time while raising 7 kids. I think I've got you beat in all categories. Now, please stop all the negative comments going back and forth and be kind to everyone on this site. We're all here for support - not to be torn apart with harsh words and condescending statements. Thank you.

I am going to jump back in and try to clarify something, at least from my aspect. MMSH, I too had some pretty miserable working conditions in my lifetime. I was an electrical contractor and I thought when I started that business, that plumbers did all the digging. I was wrong, I have spent many a long hot day in August digging ditches to bury wire and conduit in. And would have welcomed the shade of a steel building without air conditioning. You state that you are only 54 years old. I am not talking about people your age. I am talking about people my age and Green Eyed Lady's age. We have been where you are and paid the dues, supposedly to receive just what we can receive today. And I repeat, I will vote against anyone who tries to take these things I have worked for all my adult life, and even before my adult life, away. AND vote for anyone who guarantees that they will not. If that is what you call "selling" my vote -- so be it.

By the way, I don't think there is any argument about the "deadbeats" working the system. It is wrong and I will vote for anyone that I think can fix it.
Another by the way, I am 75 years old.