Barack Obama on Social Security
Wednesday November 5, 2008
Soon, we'll have a new president, and the problems that plague Social Security are among the many issues Barack Obama must tackle when he takes office. To give you an idea of how Obama feels about key Social Security issues, take a look at Obama on Social Security, including his views about Social Security privatization, changing the payroll tax cap, and raising the retirement age vs. cutting Social Security benefits.
I rely heavily on my SSI as do many retirees and can only hope that my 401K can supplement my income to cover all the rising costs in this economy. Had we privatized, many retirees would be homeless or poverty stricken as a result of reliance of the stock market which has many vulnerabilities. Perhaps a government 401K with matching funds for many Americans might be an approach to consider for the future.
My father who has paid in over $35,000.00 to an insurance for long term heath care, to cover Assisted Living when necessary, is now not going to cover him. They are saying he is not in need of 24 hr care. Or have 2 functions of daily living that need assistance. This man is 95 and very proud to be doing the things he is doing. He lives alone, twice widdowed, in a mobile home park. He does not hire out help for anything except he get 1 meal on weekdays from Senior Nutriton. He cleans, does laundry, sweeps outside, he still drives his car, (we live in a busy so cal boarder town!). But….he is tired, he wants to take it easy. He is having trouble dressing, bathing, and the bathroom duties, and walking, hearing, seeing. But none of these count for the Long Term Health care, until he cannot do them! So he is hurting, and lonely and wants to go into Assisted Living….I think he has earned it! But they will not pay for it. He has to pay out of pocket. This is wrong. I don’t know what can be done about it, but it makes me glad I have never bought Long Term Health Care! You have to be not fuctioning and then you have a 90 to 100 day wait before they pay. You could be dead by then, but I guess that is what they are waiting for, while you keep paying them.
To get long term care coverage prior to the policy kicking in at 100 days have the doctor put him in the hospital and then go directly to the nursing home where Medicare will pay the first 90 days.