If you vote for Romney-Ryan, and the Romney-Ryan plan for Medicare Reform, unless you have a lot of wealth, it appears very likely that you may have an experience that looks like this. Put yourself in the role of Citizen Bob.
Romney-Ryan Health Insurance Customer Service Representative: “Romney-Ryan Health Insurance Customer Service Information line. May I help you?”
Citizen Bob, middle class, age 66: “I hope so. I voted for you in November 2012 because I thought you were the best team running for President of the United States. I am having trouble buying health insurance on the open market. ”
Romney-Ryan Health Insurance Customer Service: “What trouble are you having?”
Citizen Bob: “I used to have Medicare insurance to cover my health care expenses. I am 66 years old and have applied to several insurance companies on the new list of approved insurance providers, which I did after you gave us the option of using the voucher program that replaced traditional Medicare.”
Romney-Ryan Health Insurance Customer Service: “And why is this a problem?”
Citizen Bob: “The most affordable insurance company that agreed to provide coverage to me wants me to pay a $18,000 in premiums for the first year of coverage. The voucher is for $11,000, and I have to make up the difference of about $7,000.”
Romney-Ryan Health Insurance Customer Service Representative: “I do not understand your problem. Don’t you have a couple of million dollars in a bank account, preferably in the Cayman Islands, where your deposits can grow free of income tax, that you can use to pay the amount of the premiums beyond the amount the voucher provides?”
American Citizen Bob: “No, I do not have that much money available to pay for health insurance premiums. The most affordable insurance company that agreed to provide coverage said that although I am in very good health, I am not as good an insurance risk as someone in their 20s. So my premium needs to be higher, to cover their risk if they were to accept my application.”
Romney-Ryan Health Insurance Customer Service Representative: “Maybe you can start a business to earn the money to pay for your health insurance premiums. If you have to, ask your parents for the money to start the business.”
American Citizen Bob: “I am 66. My parents are dead.”
Romney-Ryan Health Insurance Customer Service Representative: “I am sorry, we cannot help you today. Good bye.”