Seniors should be concerned about state taking over Medicare

Some GOP state lawmakers are upset that the Johnson County Commission on Aging plans to publish an article critical of the state’s plan to assume control of Medicare. Tough. They shouldn’t have supported the reckless proposal. Against the protests of senior groups, the Legislature voted last session to join a health care compact that would allow states, subject to congressional approval, to opt out of all federal laws regarding health care, including Medicare. The states would then receive the federal funding in block grants to use on their own state-managed programs. The lawmakers contend that this wouldn’t be a threat to Medicare because they would be required to spend the money on health care and they have no plans to alter Medicare benefits, the Kansas Health Institute News Service reported. But the state has “creatively” redirected other federal funds, such as welfare. Why should it be trusted? And given the rocky rollout of KanCare, the state’s privatized Medicaid program, why should seniors be confident that the state can properly manage Medicare? Lawmakers can’t even answer basic questions about the portability of a Kansas-based Medicare program. Seniors – along with everyone else – should think long and hard before backing anyone who supported the compact, including Gov. Sam Brownback. Here is a list of lawmakers who voted for the compact. – Phillip Brownlee

This story was originally published September 12, 2014 at 7:05 PM with the headline "Seniors should be concerned about state taking over Medicare."