Who's pulling the trigger on our future?

[WhiskeyGirl]

I heard that some in Congress want to make the government option, optional.  They want to give states the opportunity to opt in or opt out.

Is this really an option?  What happens during the next porkulus/stimulus bill, when Congress and the president tie funds to states implementing the optional 'public option'?  Or, perhaps they'll subsidize the 'public option' but not private insurance? 

Where is the government action on developing our economy?  Isn't it likely that as the economy continues to tank under Obama, that more and more will lose their insurance?

Is there really a state choice about opting in or out of the 'public option'?

Why does there have to be a trigger?  The US is already in debt.  Any hopes of recovery are fading fast, along with the value of the dollar.

Why do we need gun control, when Congress and the president want a really big trigger?

Why aren't they doing anything to control costs?  Malpractice?  Tort reform?  Fraud, waste, and abuse?

Why would the Congress and president need a 'trigger'?  It seems like they plan to pull it, regardless of what individual states want.  President just declares an emergency? 

What happened to responsible politics in America?  All those smart people who built this country for 200 years?  Where have they gone?

Where are the smart people in Washington?  We have lots of folks, from both parties, 'getting things done', but the ones being 'done' are taxpayers, and future generations of Americans.

Why isn't our government filled with people who really know how to build great nations?  People with experience building success?  Why is it filled with people from prestigious schools, who seem to fill up the 'think' tanks, but our nation is in a death spiral, and on track to be the cleanest third world country?

Who's pulling the trigger on our future?


jmho

[WhiskeyGirl]

Where would a Medicare or Medicaid participant go or call to report waste, fraud, or abuse?

Hmmm...I've been getting quarterly statements that include bills for services I did not receive...

From the Medicare website -

The following are examples of possible Medicare fraud:
•A health care provider bills Medicare for services you never got.
•A supplier bills Medicare for equipment you never got.
•Someone uses another person’s Medicare card to get medical care, supplies, or equipment.
•Someone bills Medicare for home medical equipment after it has been returned.
•A company offers a Medicare drug plan that hasn’t been approved by Medicare.
•A company uses false information to mislead you into joining a Medicare plan.

http://www.stopmedicarefraud.gov/aboutfraud/index.html

Where is the 800 number for folks to call?

If someone does call CMS or other advocates, how many times do they hear something like this "We have to go by what the doctor/provider says" or "Maybe you just forgot".

I saw the DME fraud story on FOX this morning.  I think the autobilling to Medicare/Medicaid has been going on for a long time.  All a company needs to provide is four pieces of information - including name, SS#, and birthdate.  The man being interviewed bought this information for just $10 a person.

Isn't it possible that Medicare Advantage plans do a much better job of monitoring fraud, waste, and abuse?  The fraud, waste, and abuse impacts their profits, so they have a good reason to make sure it doesn't happend.

What reason does Medicare/Medicaid or any government program have to stamp out fraud, waste, and abuse?  Does it impact the profits of  government?  Does it impact the profits of special interest groups that donate money to political campaigns?