After Russ Hillard developed Huntington's disease, a devastating neurological disorder, he lost his $35,000-a-year job as a welder and, with it, his health insurance.
His wife, who was working part time, had insurance, but it didn't come close to covering the medical bills for the incurable disease, which causes uncontrolled movements, emotional problems and the loss of cognitive abilities. Eventually, Hillard qualified for Medicare, which covers disabled people under 65 after a two-year waiting period. But the coverage didn't kick in until after the family went deeply into debt and had to take out a $20,000 loan on their home in Methuen, N.H. ...
Under federal rules, most people with disabilities who are younger than 65 aren't eligible for Medicare until more than two years after they qualify for Social Security disability income. A coalition of more than 65 organizations led by the Medicare Rights Center has been pushing Congress to do away with the waiting period. But the effort has stalled because of the high cost to the federal government – an estimated $113 billion over 10 years ...
Some groups, including the Huntington's Disease Society of America, are going their own way, asking Congress for specific waivers from the Medicare waiting period for their diseases.
Aug 30, 2010
That Two Year Waiting Period
From Kaiser Health News:
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10 comments:
Another example of the failed Obama adminstration's incompetence--great idea--let's reform health care but forget to cover sick people--genius.
they reformed health insurance, not social security, "genius."
and by the way, those health insurance reforms will address gaps like this.
Anon #1, why don't you take your right-wing hate-speak and troll some other board where your incompetence can better blend in. This 2 year waiting period has applied for as long as most can remember, it's not something that was instituted under the health care reform. Next time, check your facts before revealing your ignorance.
A#1 is exceptionally troll-like, isn't s/he? I must agree with A's#2,3,and 4. Again, some posters' comments fail to advance the conversation. Nancy Ortiz
Anon # 1 here--just call me Trollboy--Gee, since I have worked for SSA for over 30 years I think I probably have more credibility than most of those who post here. Obamacare is not fixing this anytime soon, and I see it every day. People have no health insurance and no way of getting it until their 29-month waiting period(including dib waiting period) is up. It would have been the first and easiest fix. He blew it. Are you saying Medicare is part of Socia Security and not part of health care? Really? again, genius. I love how the left resorts to arrogant condescencion with predictable name-calling everytime someone disagrees with them. Nancy, You disappoint me--you used to seem fair-minded and rational--why are you siding with the obviously clueless now? I care about SSA and the clients. They are getting screwed and no one is doing anything about it. How is that for "right-wing hate speak".
I will never understand the 2-year waiting period for Medicare. There is no waiting period for SSI or Medicaid. So those who presumably have not paid into the system get health care right off the bat. But thsoe who did pay have to wait 2 long years?
Nobody (and I mean nobody) should have to wait. It's ridiculous.
To anon 4:00 pm--finally, another rational voice. Thank you. Anon #1.
anon 1, you started the name calling but can't take the heat, obviously. i also work for social security and you are confusing apples with oranges. ssa program quirks are an ssa problem. sure, to the average american, it is all one giant convoluted mess but you of all people should know how to separate the issues. obamacare was about solving private health insurance injustices, not about fixing social security and the medicare waiting period. if anything, the example discussed here shows that this ssa recipient WILL get health coverage... through his WIFE now that health reforms became law. how bout them apples?
To the extent that health care reform did not fix this problem is just shows that it didn't go far enough. Anyone who cares about health care supports far more aggressive changes than what was passed by Congress after every Republican opposed every possible improvement. Eliminating the 2 year waiting period would have added substantial costs, and could only have been justified by major offesetting savings from a single-payer system.
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