Good news first; Medicare premiums for 95% of Americans will only cost $1.50 per month more in 2019 than in 2018. Social Security will go up considerably more than the increased cost of Medicare. Bottom line, most folks will see more money in their bank accounts. Medicare Advantage plans will see increased competition and lower co-pays across all plans for 2019. Medicare supplements in Arizona are seeing increased competition as well, with the lower rates available now than in late 2017 and early 2018.
For the 5% of single folks on Medicare with incomes above $85,000, or married folks above $170,000, the surcharges have been adjusted again. All will see different surcharges on parts B and D.
The other news…
It’s voting season. The ads are driving me crazy. Some ads say, “VOTE YES to save the preserve” the opposing ad says, “VOTE NO to protect the preserve.” That one made me more nuts than the third-party ads stating that one candidate wants to raise rates on healthcare for seniors.
Math is a very exact science. Folks over age 50 (boomers and seniors) vote in greater numbers than folks under age 50. We can all agree on that mathematical fact. The ad agencies got one thing correct. They correctly targeted the people that will cast a vote. Unfortunately, most folks get so frustrated with the outright LIES and deception they just shut down to the election.
I listened to the Arizona debates on public radio. I listened until I couldn’t bear the BS.
The candidates were very civil, well-mannered, and followed the rules of the program. They politely remained within their allotted times and made their points and I was impressed for a while in the professionalism.
Then everything changed, not in the tone, but in the OUTRIGHT LIES. One candidate stated that she did not approve ads that FALSELY accuse her opponent. She agreed that the AD WAS A LIE. Then she went on to separate herself from her party and the political action committee that placed the ad. In my mind, you are either a member of a party or you run as an independent. Not both. When she lost her cool, I called BS. I understand why a normal person (not a billionaire) would associate with a party. It’s simple. Funding. A billionaire self-funds a campaign. Like Mr. Bloomberg did when he ran for Mayor in New York. Our president self-funded, until he was taken seriously by the party and then reimbursed.
My point, politics is a complicated game of cat and mouse or chess. You trade one thing for another to get what your constituents hopefully want. Some folks do it with honor and will not bend from a code of conduct. Some folks do whatever they must to get to the next level. You really must hand it to the folks that put themselves out there to run for public office. The rewards may be vast but the public scrutiny for the candidate and their family is also a high price to pay. Look at the President and his family. The first lady never signed up for the job. She was a happy socialite in New York surrounded by friends and was content raising her son. The President’s son-in-law is probably not very happy that his personal taxes, or potential lack of paid taxes, are now out in the open. His favorite daughter’s line of clothing and shoes are no longer in stores. Have you tried to find a “TRUMP” necktie? They were my favorites, all gone.
My point is please do your own research. Don’t consider television or radio NEWS, it’s propaganda. Dig into the facts and read the ballots, they are written deliberately to be confusing. Call the candidates’ offices directly to ask your questions. Then, most importantly, BE AN AMERICAN, perform your duty and VOTE.