| The Senate Health Bill has been grabbing headlines | | | | higher healthcare premiums over the next 10 |
| for months as members of the Senate continue | | | | years, passing along much of the healthcare |
| to debate spending, bill allotments, and the merits | | | | expenses to Medicare beneficiaries. |
| of improved or universal healthcare coverage. The | | | | Additionally, because of reduced payments and |
| latest iteration of this bill in late November and | | | | services covered by the bill, the Congressional |
| included a price tag of $849 billion, according to | | | | Budget Office estimates that Americans will see a |
| the Congressional Budget Office. $200 billion alone | | | | $195 billion price increase in doctors' fees for |
| would be set aside to help cover doctors' fees so | | | | those doctors who treat Medicare patients. With |
| that they would not suffer from a drastic cut | | | | only a percentage of those fees being covered |
| back to reimbursement rates. | | | | by Medicare, patients themselves will have to |
| Much in keeping with the diversity of American | | | | make up the difference out of their pockets. |
| opinion, this bill has come with more than its fair | | | | TRICARE (the military healthcare program) |
| share of controversy, sparking heated debates on | | | | beneficiaries would see an increase in fees by |
| both sides of the political aisle. | | | | about $64 billion for non-military physicians who |
| Bill controversy | | | | see patients enrolled in the TRICARE program. |
| Democrats and Republicans are sharply divided | | | | How can Americans protect themselves from |
| over the merits and allocations included in this | | | | these price increases? |
| healthcare bill. The final vote on the bill showcased | | | | While it may be impossible to predict exactly how |
| this division; the voting results were nearly entirely | | | | this bill will impact Americans and their |
| along party lines. In the 243 to 183 win by the | | | | pocketbooks until the bill is fully approved and |
| Democratic-controlled House, only 11 Democrats | | | | implemented, Americans would be wise to begin |
| voted against the bill and only one Republican | | | | looking for alternative healthcare solutions. Many |
| voted for the bill. That Republican is also an | | | | Americans on Medicare may want to investigate |
| obstetrician - Rep. Michael Burgess of Texas. | | | | alternatives to Original Medicare plans, including |
| Republicans called the $200 billion allocation to | | | | Medicare Advantage Plans. |
| cover doctors' fees a political payoff and labeled it | | | | Also, as healthcare prices increase, so will the |
| as the Democrats' way of thanking physicians for | | | | prices of prescription medications and other |
| their support of President Obama's healthcare | | | | medical services. Therefore, many Medicare |
| overhaul. | | | | beneficiaries would benefit by enrolling in Medicare |
| What's included in the bill and how will it affect | | | | Supplement insurance plans to help cover the cost |
| Americans? | | | | of price increases and of items that are not |
| The new healthcare bill, which will go into effect in | | | | covered by Original Medicare plans. |
| 2010, is said to provide coverage to 94 percent | | | | Managing the national healthcare system has |
| of Americans. The bill is also estimated to cut the | | | | proved to be a challenge and a politically derisive |
| federal deficit by $127 billion during its first ten | | | | topic - especially over the past year. While |
| years. In its second decade, the bill is estimated | | | | changes are inevitable and are sure to impact |
| to cut the federal deficit by as much as $650 | | | | every American, Americans can help to protect |
| billion. Over a 20-year period, it is believed that the | | | | their health and their pocketbooks by focusing on |
| bill would cut the federal deficit by $777. | | | | maintaining or improving their health in controllable |
| However, in order to cut this deficit, the bill will | | | | ways. Enrolling in affordable healthcare programs, |
| reduce payments for Medicare plans and cut | | | | such as a Medicare Advantage or Medicare |
| spending in a wide variety of other areas. The | | | | Supplemental insurance program, may also help to |
| Congressional Budget Office estimates that | | | | save Americans a significant amount of money at |
| seniors on Medicare will have to pay $49 billion in | | | | the doctor's office. |