Record Hike In Medicare Costs

AP) Medicare premiums for doctor visits will rise 17 percent next year, the largest increase in the program's 40-year history, the Bush administration said Friday.

The increase reflects rapidly rising health costs and last year's Medicare overhaul, said Dr. Mark McClellan, administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Premiums have been increasing at an accelerating pace in recent years, rising 13.5 percent this year and 8.7 percent the year before that.

Those premiums were set at $3 a month when Medicare began in 1967.

In addition, the deductible for Part B services will rise $10 next year, to $110, another change mandated by the Medicare law.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/...in641067.shtml

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The war on terror involves Saddam Hussein because of the nature of Saddam Hussein, the history of Saddam Hussein, and his willingness to terrorize himself. George W. Bush

The income litmus test is kicking in. During the overhaul, the democrats insisted that wealthier recipients pay a greater proportion. I don't recall the income threshhold. I remember when the "neo-cons" jumped all over Bush about this.

I believe that this whole initiative was begun under Clinton. My facts are a little hazy but I remember the debate.