Letter: The Truth About Medicare

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Letter: The Truth About Medicare

Friday, 14 September 2012 09:23

(Editor’s Note: The writer of this letter is Assistant Professor of Anesthesia at Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine.)

Listening to both parties’ conventions, one has to wonder whose plan is actually bad for seniors. The simple answer is the Republicans, but the more complete and thorough answer is the Democrats. Here is the truth about both plans.

The Republican plan (or the Ryan plan) would replace the current system with one in which seniors are given a voucher to buy private health insurance. However, as health care costs rise, the vouchers would not rise with them, creating a ‘gap’ that would have to be filled by the senior. Over time the gap could become so significant that many seniors wouldn’t be able to afford covering it.

The Democrats in their Affordable Care Act cut over $700 billion from Medicare. However, they did not touch benefits, instead opting to decrease payments to doctors and hospitals. It is like going to a restaurant and saying we want steak but will only give you the cost of a burger. Over time, more and more hospitals will shut down because of they won’t have the funds due to such low reimbursement, and seniors will have fewer, worse hospitals to choose from.

Medicare is a mess, but the notion that simply cutting reimbursements can solve the problem is simply not true. True reform means weighing all the options, including changing the retirement age, testing whether those who already have coverage from other sources should receive benefits, and whether personal wealth should matter. The Democrats’ approach simply replaces the current problem with another, more significant one.

Ruchir Gupta

News

BCA Votes on Budgets, Candidates

Wednesday, 15 May 2013 00:00

During its April and May meetings, the Birchwood Civic Association welcomed Board of Education members and candidates from the Syosset School District, as well as Board of Education members and administrators from the Jericho School District to discuss budget proposals and issues facing the districts. The BCA voted to endorse both the Syosset and Jericho budgets, as well as the Jericho Library budget, acknowledging that all made a strong effort to retain programs while staying below the state tax levy cap. In addition, the BCA voted in support of Jericho's Proposition 2 regarding the establishment of a capital reserve fund. The Syosset Library budget was not reviewed.

Sports

Syosset Boys Lacrosse Defeats Plainview

Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00

Enters Playoffs As Second Seed

The Syosset Braves varsity boys lacrosse team (7-1) were victorious over the Plainview JFK Hawks (5-3) last Friday afternoon, 12-5 in Conference I play. The Braves are the number two seed going into the playoffs, and the Hawks are the number six seed.

Ending the first two periods with a 6-2 lead, the Braves’ defense reduced Plainview’s potential comeback to only one goal, while Syosset scored four.