What People Think
 |
 |
54% For, 46% Against
Take Action
| Vote on this Bill | |
  |
For |
  |
Against |
| Speak Out | |
  |
Comment on this Bill |
  |
Alert Your Friends and Colleagues |
  |
Write Your Representative in Congress |
| Save & Share | |
 |
del.icio.us |
 |
Digg |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Yahoo! |
H.R. 154, The Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2007 (6 comments ↓)
H.R. 154 would amend title II of the Social Security Act to phase out the 24-month waiting period for disabled individuals to become eligible for Medicare benefits, and eliminate the waiting period for individuals with life-threatening conditions.
()
Learn More
Trackback URL: http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/trackback/110_HR_154.html
RSS Feeds for This Bill
Keep yourself updated on user contributions and debates about this bill! (Learn more about RSS.)
Visitor Comments
Jim Boudreaux
A person who is declared "disabled" can no longer hold gainful employment. Making him or her wait a full two years before being able to receive Medicare Disability benefits adds insult to injury, and could result in impoverishment and being placed on the Medicaid rolls.
Congress should do the right thing and eliminate this waiting period.
Spiky Sandy
As a Social Worker trained to get my clients on Disability for their disabling conditions, having to wait 24 months for Medicare to kick in after the onset date is shameful to working Americans. Those with a poor work history get Medicaid automatically with their Supplemental Security Income (SSI). But, if you are responsible and work hard, you are penalized by being denied necessary medical care to sustain and maintain your life. How can this be possible in America?? Please do the right thing and pass this extremely necessary bill. Consider, too, shortening 10-year implimentation period, so that people don't have to suffer.
Brenda Look, PA-c
As a health care provider and an advocate for Disability Social Security I have felt the 29 months of waiting to receive Medicare is only causing our citizens who are most ill to avoid medical care. Many illness when treated in an out patient setting will resolve. Without treatment the illness progresses causing hospitalizations or death. The burden is on our hospitals to provide care for those who would have faired well with early medical intervention.
Let's get smart with our resources and treat our disabled before they are critically ill. Eliminate the 2+ year wait for Medicare!
Jerry Boudreaux
I think this puts a strain on good working American tax payers for having to wait 24 months to receive medicare benefits . Congress should do something to help in this matter.
workinggal
I've been waiting the 29 months for Medicare after being disabled. Worked hard all my life, and now because of 2 "pre-existing conditions",can't be insured (except at astronomical rates) and have to pay cash for all medicine and care.How do I pay the bills w/o a job? There should be a better solution.
Catherine Kelly
My boyfriend was diagnosed with brain cancer and after working all his life, was told at the age of 49 - you can no longer work. He now has to make COBRA payments until Sept. 2009 to ensure he receives his proper treatment. He only has a social security check and after all is said and done, he does not have the money to pay normal bills, let alone copayments. Congress must pass this resolution and help people in his situation