Written by Brian Johnstone   

MEDICARE PARTS---?
My wife and I went to what was supposed to be a Two-hour "workshop" on Medicare at the local meeting building complex this morning.
It was being conducted by a guy -not sure from what agency if any- who explained all the in-and-outs of different parts of Medicare and how MUCH THEY'D COST really pushing the "Advantage" and other enhancement premiums which still cost more -such a choice!
He even emerged as an apologist for the Doctors who won't accept Medicare, but would take Advantage -as if they didn't charge enough already!
After about twenty minutes of this, me getting more and more pissed-orf all-a-da while, I finally stuck up my hand and almost shouted (But with great restraint for me) the only truly relevant question en ré “Why the HELL are working Americans REQUIRED to pay into Medicare and Social Security all their working lives, then have to keep paying as their incomes decline steeply, including a $104.00 premium for Part B which is DEDUCTED from their Social Security and only covers 80% of treatment -and now you're asking us "Seniors" to pay for "Enhanced" coverage on top of that?!".
He took it well but looked VERY uncomfortable when I continued with my follow-up bit about the US being the only allegedly "Advanced" (I hesitate to use the word "Civilized") country in the world that doesn't have UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE but has a behemoth of a military bigger than the rest of the world combined -and just managed to stop myself from launching into a Populist- Socialist political diatribe!
I actually got quite a few thumbs-up and nods from the others in the audience.
He DID acknowledge that the older people got, the more likely they were to need care and specialist, geriatric care at that but are less and less able to pay for it. I also told him and the others that this was the main (but not the only) reason I'd never become a US Citizen.
We left shortly after that as I could see that nothing was going to change him or the ludicrous situation.
Really got me goin' that did!
I just posted this on my Facebook page, with the Coda to my Scottish, UK, French and friends in other "Civilized" countries take note; appreciate and defend what you've got!
This is not even close to being a "Democracy"!
Just for the record.
B.J.