I am torn on this issue. Would it be better that I paid the money to the government so my 70 year old mother got better health insurance and better care (there is a shortage of Medicare doctors) ensured by the government or to continue on as I am now paying her medical bills myself? My contribution will go away when she passes and I now have at least some control over choosing her care and ensuring she gets a good doctor. If it was entirely controlled by the government, I'm NOT sure I would be happy with the results. But it does beg the question, what about those older citizens who don't have family members who will pay for their care? They get the same medical coverage my mother gets, and let me tell you, it is SEVERLY LACKING. My mother is 70 years old, on SSN and Medicare, and currently going through cancer treatments. She has an enlarged heart and COPD on top of that. No dental coverage at all with Medicare. Just last month we had to buy her a new set of dentures. Now the cancer treatments. Because we pay on top of the Medicare, we were able to shop around for doctors and ensure her other medical issues were taken into consideration. Would that be possible if the government controlled it all?



>Well Ed, I have an open mind, whats your solution....
>Trillions in unfunded liabilities, somethings got to give....
>
>
>>It seems you are quite prepared to 'fix' Medicare the same way, i.e. "Even though it will increase my own tax bite, I see nothing wrong ...".
>>
>>>Obviously SS can not continue as it is. Benefits will be cut or elimated, Taxes will be increased, the young will get nothing but be forced to pay the most until they revolt.
>>>
>>>Even though it will increase my own tax bite, I see nothing wrong with elimating the ceiling and we need to start means testing the recipients so people like McCain won't get a check.
>>>
>>>But the real problem is medicare.....
>>>
>>>Bob
>>>
>>>>http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080728/D926O27G0.html
>>>>
>>>>What concerns me is the purpose of the social security tax. Won't this be Americans forced to pay for their retirement but will never receive a dime from it?