Bshs 322 - Dynamics of Ethics

Dynamics of Ethics

Connie Wilson

BSHS/322

April 02, 2012

Professor Tanisha Laidler

Dynamics of Ethics

Social Security recipients received an increase in benefits of 3.6% in January, 2012. This was the first COLA (cost of living adjustment) in two years. Although it was very welcomed to many senior and disabled citizens, it did not come without a price. Many of the disabled along with the senior citizens receive and depend on Medicare. Medicare is a government run health insurance program that is available for those that are receiving Social Security benefits that are 65 years old and older, who have been disabled for at least 2 years and 4 months. Medicare comes in three parts, A, B and D. Part A takes care of the majority of a hospital stay and is the only part that is free. Part B takes care of 80% outpatient and physician office services. The cost of part B was $96.40 for the last two years, but this year it went up to $99.90 per month. This amount comes out of the social security check. There are reports that Medicare part B premiums have decreased from 2011. This is only for the high income Social Security benefits, where their premiums were $115, 00 a month. That is less than 20% of the Social Security population. Part D takes care of prescriptions, mostly generic. Last year's cost for part D range from 0 to $5.00 for most participates. Effective February 01, 2012 the cost for most participates is now $10.00 to $35.00 or more. This also comes automatically comes out of the Social Security check. Many participates increase in their Social Security checks could not tell much of a difference after the increases in Medicare part B and part D.

Medicare states the increases in part B and part D are also due to the COLA for their employees and the increase to operate the Medicare program. Medicare claims to have offset the increase in premium payments with Social Security's COLA, so that participates will be able to see some sort of increase in their income. But the problem is the some sort of increase participates are seeing in their Social Security checks is about $10-$20. Without the Medicare increases, participates would see an increase on an average of $40.00 per check.

The government has devised a program for the low income Medicare participates, whereas Medicaid pays the Medicare premiums. This program has been around since the late 1980's without the publicity and attention it deserves. This is a national program, but funding is basically on the part of the state you reside in. This may be the reason for its lack of publicity. This program like all other Medicaid programs is based on income and reserve.