The crucial point is whether there is an opt-out provision. Then you get the proverbial death-spiral of a system -- lower cost people leave, raising costs for those who remain, more people leave, etc.
The means-testing raises political pressure for an escape hatch. mbs -----Original Message----- From: PEN-L list [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Michael Perelman Sent: Monday, September 11, 2006 10:07 PM To: [email protected] Subject: medicare in danger? The NYT reports that the gov. wants rich people to pay higher premiums for Medicare -- the first step in making it a welfare program for the poor. Do any of you have any thoughts about this? -- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929 Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu michaelperelman.wordpress.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.3/445 - Release Date: 9/11/2006 ---------------------------------------- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 22561 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.12.3/445 - Release Date: 9/11/2006
