Medicare Fraud

Last night NBC news reported that Medicare Fraud now comes in at around $600 billion a year. They did not say how much, if any, of that money is ever recovered. $600 billion a year would go a long way towards paying for universal health care without my taxes needing to be raised.

I sent the following letter to my senators, once again imploring that they get a handle on Medicare and then worry about a health care bill.

As always use all or any part in contacting your own representatives.

Dear Senator
Last night NBC News reported that the US goverment (tax payer dollars) pays out $600 billion in Medicare fraud cases every year.
As I have written in the past, the government has to take control of Medicare, close all the loopholes and stop fraud. Once the fraud stops, then the government will have the money they need for universal health care.
Take charge of Medicare, prosecute violators to the extreme, and save our $600 billion a year. Take charge of the money that is being stolen, rather than ask tax payers to provide more.
Congress needs to take control, show leadership, and agressive copmmitment to righting a serious wrong.
Give law enforcement teeth to go after those who defraud the system so that all $600 billion is recovered.

Senator Mikulski on Health Care Reform

As the battle tightens up in the senate over Health Care reform, and Democrats begin courting Independent Joe Lieberman for his vote, I received a letter from senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland regarding my concerns.

After you read it let me know if it makes you feel better about the proposed bill because all it left me was depressed, frightened and confused.

Dear Mr. Wolfe:

Thank you for getting in touch with me about health care reform. It's great to hear from you.

Health care is one of the most important issues facing families and our economy. We need to:

?reduce health care costs for families, business and government

?protect people's choice of doctors, hospitals and health plans

?assure affordable, quality health care for all Americans

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590) represents the combined efforts of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) and the Senate Committee on Finance. This bill takes a giant step forward in providing health care that is available, undeniable and affordable for all Americans.

There are many issues being discussed as part of health care reform. I will keep your views in mind as we continue our work on this important issue.

Thanks once again for writing. Please let me know if I can be of assistance in the future.

Sincerely,
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator

Public Option

It appears that the Public Option of the Health Care Reform Bill is gaining some support. However, its gaining support because states will have the option not to take it.

How is the Public Option open to the public, if individual states decide if their residents will be allowed that option?

Personally, I am against the Public Option. I am against any health plan that allows the government to be in charge. The government has failed miserably managing Medicare and Medicaid, and the same can only be expected of a government run Public Option.

Repeating what i have stated in the past, the government needs to clean up Medicare and Medicaid. Make them function at a profit, get rid of the fraud and corruption and once that is accomplished, then come to the public and talk about this public option.

Tax payers are paying enough - we have to bail out banks, we bail out car companies, we have to bailout homeowners who did not do their homework before buying, we have to pay for two wars, and now we are being asked to pay other people's health care.

Its too much. There is only so much we can provide. Government needs to get big business and the health insurance companies to start paying their share. The cost of medical procedures need to be regulated. Tort reform needs to be enacted.

Clear up the current mess before creating another one with the Public Option.

Its Common Sense!

Health Care Reform - How about a Referendum?

I sent most of this evening watching various town hall meetings on CSPAN dealing with the health reform issue.

As I stated earlier, I could not make heads or tails out of what I thought was the House of Representatives' bill, only to learn it is one proposal.

It is fascinating to hear some of the things people believe are contained in the bills and non-bills. After all, the senate has not put anything together yet. The House of Representatives will need to have their various committees get together and try and patch a bill together.

All kinds of rumors and crazy statements (I hope they're crazy) are coming out. To save cost when people reach a certain age they will be put out of their misery. Mentally challenged people will be put away and allowed to "fade" away.

What's sad is that there are actually people who believe some of this nonsense.

My suggestion is that after Congress puts together a bill that they are forced to put it in an easily readable form, make it available to their constituents on the Internet and at their offices, and then allow the public to vote on their approval or disapproval.

Why not turn this into a referendum? This reform will effect all of us, in more ways than one. Doesn't it make sense that we be the ones who vote on it, not those on the Hill who "might" have been influence by lobbyists?

Tomorrow I will write a proposal and send it to the President and my representatives. I will let them know that even though we should, it is hard to trust them on a issue that will effect all of us personally and for that reason the decision should be on our shoulders, not theirs.

Registered voters should have the opportunity to make the final decision.

I'll share my letter tomorrow.

Share your ideas as well, this debate needs to go on until the vast majority of us are happy.

Its Common Sense!!