Democrats Head To Iowa To Pitch Seniors On Taking Their Health Care Away

 

Democrats' Radical Proposals Would Flood The Health Care Market Forcing Iowa's Seniors To Compete With Millions Of Illegal Immigrants For Access To Limited Care

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The Facts:

DEMOCRAT CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENT WILL TALK TO IOWA'S SENIORS THIS WEEK TO ADVOCATE FOR THE TOTAL GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTH CARE

The AARP and Des Moines Register will host Democrat candidates for president this week at a series of forums throughout Iowa to push their radical government takeover of health care.

Most of the Democrat Candidates also support extending Medicare benefits to millions of illegal immigrants .

SUCH A "MASSIVE EXPANSION" OF MEDICARE, INCLUDING TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, WOULD FORCE SENIORS TO COMPETE WITH MILLIONS OF NEW RECIPIENTS FOR LIMITED CARE

Such a massive flood of recipients would vastly increase the demand for medical care at the same time the massive government takeover of health care would force providers out of the marketplace.

The Congressional Budget Office found that the pressure this would put on the supply of health care services would result in "increased wait times and reduced access to care."

DEMOCRATS WANT TO OUTLAW PRIVATE INSURANCE, A RADICAL CHANGE THAT WOULD DISRUPT THE ENTIRE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN AMERICA AND HARM SENIORS

Democrats have proposed eliminating private insurance, a change that could make the transition to government-run health care " complicated, challenging, and potentially disruptive ."

Democrats' plan would eliminate popular Medicare Advantage health plans, which provide important supplemental coverage for more than 20 million seniors.

Seniors are " flocking " to Medicare Advantage programs, as they offer lower costs and better health outcomes.

Over 108,000 Iowa seniors enjoy the benefits of Medicare Advantage programs.

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DEMOCRAT CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENT WILL TALK TO IOWA'S SENIORS THIS WEEK TO ADVOCATE FOR THE TOTAL GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTH CARE

The AARP And Des Moines Register Will Host Democrat Candidates For President This Week At A Series Of Forums Throughout Iowa

This Week, The American Association Of Retired Persons And The Des Moines Register Will Host A Series Of Presidential Candidate Forums Throughout Iowa. "The AARP and The Des Moines Register will host a series of presidential candidate forums starting Monday. Each candidate will get 25 minutes to answer questions from moderators and a select audience of AARP members. The Register will live stream them throughout the week." ( KCRG , 7/15/19)

Most Of The Democrat Candidates For President Support A Massive Government Takeover Of Health Care That Would Expand Medicaid To Millions Of Illegal Immigrants

13 Of The 23 Democrat Candidates For President Support Some Version Of Medicare For All. ( The Washington Post , 7/8/19)

13 Of The 23 Democrat Current Or Former Candidates For President Including Frontrunner Joe Biden, Sen. Kamala Harris, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, And Mayor Pete Buttigieg Support Extending Government Run Healthcare To Illegal Immigrants. ( The Washington Post , 7/8/19)

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SUCH A "MASSIVE EXPANSION" OF MEDICARE WOULD FORCE SENIORS TO COMPETE WITH THE MILLIONS OF NEW RECIPIENTS FOR LIMITED CARE

A Massive Expansion Of Medicare Would "Undoubtedly" Reduce Access To Care Forcing Current Medicare Recipients To Compete With Millions Of People For Limited Care

The Mercatus Center Found That The Implementation Of Medicare For All Would "Undoubtedly" Reduce The "Supply Of Healthcare Services At The Same Time M4A [Medicare For All] Sharply Increases Healthcare Demand." "The same study found that by 2019, over 80 percent of hospitals will lose money treating Medicare patients-a situation M4A would extend, to a first approximation, to all US patients. Perhaps some facilities and physicians would be able to generate heretofore unachieved cost savings that would enable their continued functioning without significant disruptions. However, at least some undoubtedly would not, thereby reducing the supply of healthcare services at the same time M4A sharply increases healthcare demand." ( Mercatus Center , 9/11/18, p. 10 - 11)

The Massive Expansion Of Insurance Coverage Could Put Pressure On The Available Supply Of Care, Particularly If Provider Payment Rates Aren't High Enough, Resulting In "Increased Wait Times And Reduced Access To Care." "An expansion of insurance coverage under a single-payer system would increase the demand for care and put pressure on the available supply of care. People who are currently uninsured would receive coverage, and some people who are currently insured could receive additional benefits under the single-payer system, depending on its design. Whether the supply of providers would be adequate to meet the greater demand would depend on various components of the system, such as provider payment rates. If the number of providers was not sufficient to meet demand, patients might face increased wait times and reduced access to care. In the longer run, the government could implement policies to increase the supply of providers." ( Congressional Budget Office , 5/19)

Even Lower Physician Payments Under A Single-Payer System Would "Drive Many Physicians Out Of Business, Further Restricting Access To Care." "Even lower physician payments under single payer will drive many physicians out of business, further restricting access to care." ( American Thoracic Society , 11/15/09)

The Expansion Of Medicare Could Invite Millions Of More Patients To "Compete For The Same Doctor Appointments And Surgery Slots." "Expanding Medicare will suddenly invite some 10 million more patients to compete for the same doctor appointments and surgery slots - a sudden 20 percent increase in demand." ( New York Post , 8/8/17)

Medicare For All Would Create Long Wait Times That Have Real Consequences For Sick Patients Just As It Has In Canada And Single-Payer Countries

A Single-Payer System Could Lead To "Rationing And Long Waiting Times For Medical Services" As Documented By Other Countries That Participate In Single-Payer Health Care Systems. "Single-payer health insurance would also lead to rationing and long waiting times for medical services. The adverse consequences of waiting for health services in countries with single-payer insurance are well documented (12, 13). Access to a waiting list for health care does not equate with access to health care, which is one reason why patients from abroad often prefer to come to the U.S. for treatment." ( American Thoracic Society , 11/15/09)

For Example, In 1948, The National Health Service (NHS) Was Developed To Help Provide "Free And Universal" Health Care To All Residents Of England. "Despite their differences, the patients at this clinic -- and anywhere else in the UK -- have one thing in common: Not one of them will pay or receive a bill for the care they receive here. Their health care is free and universal and has been since the formation of the country's National Health Service in 1948." ( CNN , 3/17/17)

• In 2018, The National Health Service (NHS) Hit A 10 Year High Of At Least 4.3 Million Patients Waiting For "Non-Urgent" Surgeries Such As Cataract Removal Or Hip Or Knee Replacement. "The number of patients waiting for an operation on the NHS has reached 4.3 million, the highest total for 10 years, official figures show. Growing numbers are having to wait more than the supposed maximum of 18 weeks for planned non-urgent surgery such as a cataract removal or hip or knee replacement." ( The Guardian , 7/13/18)

Long Wait Times Is A "Defining Characteristic" Of The Canadian Single-Payer System, The Average Wait Time For Canadians Looking For Diagnostic And Surgical Procedures Is Nearly 5 Months. "Waiting for treatment has become a defining characteristic of Canadian health care. In order to document the queues for visits to specialists and for diagnostic and surgical procedures in the country, the Fraser Institute has-for over two decades-surveyed specialist physicians across 12 specialties and 10 provinces. This edition of Waiting Your Turn indicates that, overall, waiting times for medically necessary treatment have decreased since last year. Specialist physicians surveyed report a median waiting time of 19.8 weeks between referral from a general practitioner and receipt of treatment-shorter than the wait of 21.2 weeks reported in 2017. This year's wait time is 113% longer than in 1993, when it was just 9.3 weeks." ( Frasier Institute , 12/4/18)

Across Canada There Are More Than A Million People Waiting For Medical Treatment . "It is estimated that, across the 10 provinces, the total number of procedures for which people are waiting in 2018 is 1,082,541. This means that, assuming that each person waits for only one procedure, 2.9% of Canadians are waiting for treatment in 2018. The proportion of the population waiting for treatment varies from a low of 1.7% in Quebec to a high of 6.2% in Nova Scotia. It is important to note that physicians report that only about 12.1% of their patients are on a waiting list because they requested a delay or postponement." ( Frasier Institute , 12/4/18)

Research Has "Repeatedly Indicated" That Wait Times For Medical Treatment Have Serious Consequences And Can Even Result In Poorer Medical Outcomes And In Many Cases Patients Aren't Paid While They Wait For Treatment Creating An Enormous Economic Burden. "Research has repeatedly indicated that wait times for medically necessary treatment are not benign inconveniences. Wait times can, and do, have serious consequences such as increased pain, suffering, and mental anguish. In certain instances, they can also result in poorer medical outcomes-transforming potentially reversible illnesses or injuries into chronic, irreversible conditions, or even permanent disabilities. In many instances, patients may also have to forgo their wages while they wait for treatment, resulting in an economic cost to the individuals themselves and the economy in general." ( Frasier Institute , 12/4/18

DEMOCRATS WANT TO ELIMINATE PRIVATE INSURANCE UNDER THEIR SINGLE-PAYER PROPOSAL, A RADICAL CHANGE THAT WOULD DISRUPT THE ENTIRE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN AMERICA AND HARM SENIORS

Democrats Have Proposed Eliminating Private Insurance, A Change That Could Make The Transition To Government Run Heath Care "Complicated, Challenging, And Potentially Disruptive"

Under Senator Bernie Sanders' (I-VT) Bill, It Would Generally Be "Unlawful" For Private Health Insurers To Sell Health Insurance To Americans . "(a) IN GENERAL.-Beginning on the effective date described in section 106(a), it shall be unlawful for- (1) a private health insurer to sell health insurance coverage that duplicates the benefits provided under this Act; or (2) an employer to provide benefits for an employee, former employee, or the dependents of an employee or former employee that duplicate the benefits provided under this Act." ( Medicare For All Act Of 2019 , Introduced 4/10/19)

• Sen. Sanders' Bill Is Co-Sponsored By 14 Senate Democrats Including Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kamala Harris (D-CA), And Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). ( Medicare For All Act Of 2019 , Introduced 4/10/19)

The Transition To Government Run Healthcare Would Be "Complicated, Challenging, And Potentially Disruptive" Particularly To Workers In The Health Insurance Industry Should Private Insurance Be Eliminated. "The transition toward a single-payer system could be complicated, challenging, and potentially disruptive…Policymakers would need to consider how quickly people with private insurance would switch their coverage to the new public plan, what would happen to workers in the health insurance industry if private insurance was banned entirely or its role was limited, and how quickly provider payment rates under the single-payer system would be phased in from current levels." ( Congressional Budget Office , 5/19)

Democrats' Government Run Heath Care Would Eliminate Medicare Advantage Health Plans, Which Provide Important Supplemental Coverage For Seniors

Since 2010, Enrollment In Medicare Advantage Has Doubled To More Than 20 Million Enrollees, Growing From A Quarter Of Medicare Beneficiaries To More Than A Third. "Since 2010, enrollment in Medicare Advantage has doubled to more than 20 million enrollees, growing from a quarter of Medicare beneficiaries to more than a third." ( Keiser Family Foundation , 10/ 15/18)

• Medicare Advantage Plans Are A "Lower-Cost Alternative" To Retiree Health Care. "Retiree health care costs are taking an ever-growing bites out of seniors' income. So it's no surprise that Medicare Advantage plans are booming in popularity as a lower-cost alternative." ( Time , 5/26/16)
• Medicare Advantage Plans Are Offered By Private Companies Approved By Medicare, And Under These Plans Beneficiaries Receive Hospital Insurance (Medicare Part A) And Medical Insurance (Medicare Part B Coverage.) "Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called 'Part C' or 'MA Plans,' are offered by private companies approved by Medicare. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you still have Medicare. You'll get your Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage from the Medicare Advantage Plan and not Original Medicare." ( Medicare.gov , Accessed 9/10/18)

The "Overhaul" Of A Single-Payer System Would "Eliminate" Private Medicare Advantage Health Plans. "But the overhaul would also eliminate private Medicare Advantage health plans, which enroll just under a third of beneficiaries, bringing all beneficiaries into the government program." ( The New York Times , 9/14/17)

Seniors Are "Flocking" To Popular Medicare Advantage Programs, As They Offer Lower Costs And Better Health Outcomes

Seniors Are "Flocking" To Medicare Advantage, More Than One Third Of Medicare Recipients Is Enrolled In Medicare Advantage. "Seniors are flocking to Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Part C, wherein private insurers deliver health benefits under contract with Medicare. Advantage plans may feature different deductibles, co-insurance, and out-of-pocket costs. Since 2010, the number of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries has doubled, to more than 20 million. That's more than one-third of total Medicare enrollees." ( Forbes , 10/29/19)

• 108,274 Iowa Seniors Enjoy The Benefits Of Medicare Advantage Programs. ( Axios , 2/25/19)

Even Though Enrollees In Medicare Advantage Are Sicker, On Average, Than Enrollees In Traditional Medicare, Advantage Beneficiaries Boast Better Health Outcomes. "The results speak for themselves. Even though enrollees in Medicare Advantage are sicker, on average, than enrollees in traditional Medicare, Advantage beneficiaries boast better health outcomes. Consider patients with diabetes. More than twice as many traditional Medicare enrollees with diabetes face lower extremity complications compared to those with Medicare Advantage, according to an analysis from Avalere Health." ( Forbes , 10/29/19)

Insurers Who Offer Medicare Advantage Plans Also Have A Strong Financial Incentive To Keep The Quality Of Care They Provide High Compared To Traditional Medicare . "Insurers who offer Medicare Advantage plans also have a strong financial incentive to keep the quality of care they provide high -- and the cost of that care low. In traditional Medicare, the legacy federal program for seniors established in 1965, the government pays doctors and hospitals directly for the services they provide to enrollees. In Medicare Advantage, on the other hand, the government pays insurers a flat fee per member. Insurers use that fee, plus premiums from enrollees, to pay for care. If insurers spend less on medical services and overhead costs than they are paid, they keep the difference. So they have every reason to find more efficient ways to treat patients." ( Forbes , 10/29/19)

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