[lbo-talk] Medicare to start charging elderly, disabled, higher premiums

[B.]

[Article says elderly are to see increased premiums,
but as Marta's mentioned before Medicare is a social
safety net for the disabled in the country, too. So
they'll get shafted on this one as well, along with
the elderly. -B.]

==

Elderly to see hike in Medicare premiums

By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press Writer

Tue Jul 11, 8:42 PM ET

The elderly will face another double-digit rise in
their Medicare premiums next year, resulting in
monthly payments of nearly $100.

The monthly premiums for supplementary medical
insurance will rise from $88.50 to at least $98.40,
the Bush administration projected Tuesday. That's an
11.2 percent increase, and it's possible the amount
will be slightly higher.

The projections assume that Congress will reduce
Medicare payment rates for physicians by about 4.7
percent next year. Many analysts don't believe such a
cut will occur, and that means the cost of the
insurance would go higher than current projections.

[...]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060712/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/medicare_premiums