General Discussion

The Republicans are working on a bill that will AUTOMATICALLY enroll people in the for-profit, predatory, "advantage" plans unless people take special action to opt out. And of course, once you are in "advantage' you are trapped for the rest of your life because the companies selling Medicare Supplemental policies will be able to deny people or jack up prices for pre-existing conditions.

That is already the case when a person consciously chooses "advantage", although 99% of the people don't understand that. They think they can switch back to Medicare at any time. They can, but not for the supplemental plans that have saved so many people from financial ruin.

Most people also believe that they can keep their doctors on "advantage". Almost every provider honors Medicare today, but "advantage" plans are usually very small networks you have to work within. Of course, if the Republicans remain in power, they will keep slashing the reimbursement rates for Medicare until Medicare is honored only by marginal providers as indigent care.

Everything that was built in the last 75 years is under fierce attack by the Republicans. And ironically, the MAGA people are among the hardest hit. We are also not getting much help from unions on this front because they figure health care benefits are the only thing that they can negotiate for.