I dont think Baby Boomers have anything to do with it

[capri0mni]

This is a "chat" I posted to my Tumblr, today. And I'm posting it now, in response to This story segment from dialecticdreamer, and the ensuing discussion.

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Disabled Person: I need a wheelchair.

Wheelchair Manufacturer: We won't sell you one unless Medicare will pay for it*

Disabled Person: I need a wheelchair.

Medicare: Can you walk 20 feet?

Disabled Person: It's 40 feet from my front door to my bedroom...

Medicare: Can you walk 20 feet?

Disabled Person: I can, but it's excruciatingly painful, my balance is terrible, and I risk falling at every step.

Medicare: Then No.

Disabled Person: Why not?

Medicare: We're running out of money. The Baby Boomers are getting old and sick. And the Gen X'ers and Millennials are not reproducing. Very sorry. Have a nice day.

800K Gen-X & Millennial "Dreamers": Hey! we're paying into Social Security!

Medicare: You don't count.

110K Refugee Applicants: We want to come into your country, and contribute to your economy, including helping to pay for Social Security. Please let us in?

Federal Government: No!

Disabled Person: I still need a wheelchair.

Medicare: Very sorry. Absolutely nothing we can do.

Disabled Person: ...

"Dreamers": ...

Refugees: ...

Medicare: Buh-bye! Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

---

*Footnote: Even if you are wealthy enough to purchase a wheelchair out-of-pocket, many suppliers still require proof of insurance. And even private insurers copy Medicare's policies when it comes medical equipment and mobility aids.

Comments

[redsixwing]

*graaaaaaah*

[davidgillon]

That's even more broken than here in the UK, didn't think that was possible!

[conuly]

20 feet is such an arbitrarily low number. FFS.

Well...

[ysabetwordsmith]

I don't feel compelled to respect crazy people.

This explains all the plans I have seen online for making wheelchairs out of bicycle parts. Because you can GET those.

[siliconshaman]

and Medicare is fully funded for the next ~25 years, or so I'm lead to believe.

Gee.. I wonder why people keep saying it's broke. Could it be so they can justify not paying out?