FIRST PERSON | MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Paul Ryan's voucher plan for Medicare has caused quite a stir where I'm from in the great state of Wisconsin. Even with much of the public's disdain over the incessant spending and deficit, seniors to be, myself included, are alarmed at best. Personally, I'm not.
As someone who will directly become affected by Paul Ryan's voucher plan (were it to be enacted), I have to ask, "So what?" That probably sounds odd to those that are worried sick about this plan taking hold and snatching up their beloved Medicare.
But the reality is, Medicare as it currently stands already has you paying, and will continue to do so even if Medicare is here to stay. Why? First, because there's so much that isn't covered by Medicare that purchasing supplemental insurance becomes necessary for current seniors. Secondly, monthly premiums for Medicare itself are charged as well.
Since we're paying Medicare premiums anyway, why not help replenish a sagging economy that can't save Medicare for anyone, young or old, from the astronomical deficits it has acquired?
Weaning Americans off the current Medicare system will help stop depleting the economy further. Then let private-sector insurance companies compete for the business that the government would help us to purchase with vouchers.
The economy would have an opportunity to restore itself because fewer people would be dependent on government-provided insurance; at the same time it would stimulate the economy by way of purchasing private-sector health insurance.
I don't feel much would change for me personally. I pay either way.
I say this as a 49-year-old soon-to-be senior who is still working. I have a couple of health issues -- asthma and degenerative arthritis of my hip joints from a love for running. These health issues currently don't require a lot of management; however, in the future, they will.
As I age, my asthma will become more of a problem from the lung infections I suffered in my youth. As a result of those, my lungs have acquired scar tissue that will cause more breathing problems that are likely to become chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Because of my passion for running, it will become likely that I'll need more health care for my hip joints that are now only mildly arthritic and painful. That situation will require a doctor's continual management and possibly a couple big surgeries. However, as I explained earlier, it appears I'll be paying with or without Medicare in place, so my money will be spent either way.
Given these circumstances, with my own health issues that would warrant a lot of Medicare assistance, why not heal our economy by doing whatever it takes to restore its health and make our nation the super power it once was? If Paul Ryan's voucher plan can help, I'm in -- regardless of my personal situation.
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