WOMAN IN AUDIENCE: 'I don't really understand. How is it the new plan going to fix the problem?'
Verbatim response: PRESIDENT BUSH:
Because the ? all which is on the table begins to address the big cost drivers. For example, how benefits are calculated, for example, is on the table. Whether or not benefits rise based upon wage increases or price increases There's a series of parts of the formula that are being considered. And when you couple that, those different cost drivers, affecting those ? changing those with personal accounts, the idea is to get what has been promised more likely to be ? or closer delivered to that has been promised. Does that make any sense to you? It's kind of muddled. Look, there's a series of things that cause the ? like, for example, benefits are calculated based upon the increase of wages, as opposed to the increase of prices. Some have suggested that we calculate ? the benefits will rise based upon inflation, supposed to wage increases. There is a reform that would help solve the red if that were put into effect. In other words, how fast benefits grow, how fast the promised benefits grow, if those ? if that growth is affected, it will help on the red.
Is that clear or what?
Worse, the system is rigged with no controls. This program is a hoax. Without warning, patients could have to pay dramatically higher prices. There's no guarantee that their particular meds will be carried by the company next month (or even the next day) after they sign up. So, the companies can switch them, but they can only switch programs once a year. The people running the various specific insurance program help centers are paid by the private drug plans and don't look out for anyone but themselves. And most info seniors get at stores and public places is offered up by the insurers. BTW the many handouts seniors get in the mail are actually printed by privateers or a anti-senior institute, not the Medicare agency, so confusion is by design. This is about "wealth" transfer...not that most seniors have all that much they can afford to lose. And they'll have even less when Bush gets through with them because, with no constraints, drug prices overall will go up and up. They would be better off without the program. Non-seniors will be affected by price increases too in this unrestrained, exploitation. And look for more of such at the hands of the Bush privateers. I want to know: What kind of a government tires to abuse its seniors? IT is said they are going after the sick next. Watch out for Bush to try to dismantle employees' ability to get insurance at their workplaces.
This system is broken. And BUSCHCO are clearly not going to even try to fix it. Instead they'll continue to walk all over the sick, deny them pain medications, and concot a system which proves once and for all that Bush and company really are believers in Darwin.