'Shameless Stunt': Trump Reportedly Attempting to Raid Medicare Trust Fund to Pay for Drug Discount Cards With His Name on Them
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
"There it is: Trump wants to steal billions from Medicare to pay for an illegal voter bribery scheme weeks before the election."
by Jake Johnson, staff writer on Friday, October 09, 2020
President Donald Trump arrives to speak as Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma and Vice President Mike Pence look on during a Coronavirus Task Force press briefing at the White House on April 19, 2020. (Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
Less than a month away from the November election, Trump administration officials are reportedly rushing to implement the president's recent proposal to send $200 prescription drug discount cards to nearly 40 million Medicare recipients—an $8 billion plan that would be financed by dipping into the Medicare trust fund.
Politicoreported Thursday that the administration is "seeking to finalize the plan as soon as Friday and send letters to 39 million Medicare beneficiaries next week, informing seniors of Trump's new effort to lower their drug costs, although many seniors would not receive the actual cards until after the election." While the design of the cards has yet to be finalized, officials are reportedly discussing ways to put Trump's name on them.
"It's a shameless stunt that steals billions from Medicare in order to fund a legally dubious scheme that's clearly intended to benefit President Trump's campaign right before Election Day."
—Rep. Frank Pallone Jr.
The plan would cost $7.9 billion, according to Politico, with $19 million going toward letters touting the initiative, which advocacy groups and Democratic lawmakers are denouncing as an obvious and potentially unlawful campaign ploy that would provide little relief for the millions impacted by obscenely high drug prices.
"There it is: Trump wants to steal billions from Medicare to pay for an illegal voter bribery scheme weeks before the election," tweeted Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-N.J.).
Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, echoed Pascrell in a statement to Politico. "It's a shameless stunt that steals billions from Medicare in order to fund a legally dubious scheme that's clearly intended to benefit President Trump's campaign right before Election Day," said Pallone.
In a speech on healthcare in Charlotte, North Carolina late last month, Trump proclaimed that his administration would "in the coming weeks" be mailing out $200 medicine discount cards to tens of millions of Medicare recipients, an announcement that reportedly caught some officials at the Department of Health and Human Services off guard.
"We don't need more PR stunts designed to distract us from the reality that President Trump has done more to help the drug corporations with big tax breaks than he has to help seniors struggling to afford medicine."
—Margarida Jorge, Lower Drug Prices Now
"Nobody's seen this before, these cards are incredible," said the president, who is badly trailing Democratic nominee Joe Biden among senior voters in recent polls. "Biden won't be doing this."
Politico reported that Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is pressuring officials to have the plan ready to go before Election Day, heightening internal concerns that the discount cards are little more than an attempt to assist Trump's reelection campaign with taxpayer dollars.
"This is a solution in search of a problem and a bald play for votes in the form of money in pockets," one unnamed HHS official told Politico.
Margarida Jorge, campaign director for Lower Drug Prices Now, said in a statement that "sending $200 gift cards to seniors before the election is a poor substitute for continuing to let drug corporations jack up their medicine prices afterwards."
"Yet again, President Trump is trying to bribe his way to re-election," said Jorge. "Americans need serious reforms that check Pharma's power to charge whatever they want and to increase prices any time. We don't need more PR stunts designed to distract us from the reality that President Trump has done more to help the drug corporations with big tax breaks than he has to help seniors struggling to afford medicine."
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No wonder the once Grand Old Party of Abraham Lincoln is now known merely as "the damn gop"...
You've said this many times over the last few months, and have been asked to quote someone of credit that has said this, not just triggered leftists.
You have yet to provide any proof.
No surprise.
I said it...
I believe his post mentioned triggered leftists.
What is wrong with this man; this cabinet secretary? This is not Donald's money to pawn off! Democrats need to shout this from the rooftops!
That has never stopped him before...
If he destroys medicare (which there is a chance he can deplete the fund) many people will regret it for a very long time! At least, then we will have their attention! I reckon.
This wouldn't destroy Medicare. No need for histrionics.
I wonder if the some 40 million or so would enjoy and could really use that extra $200 to help pay for medicines they might not be able to afford otherwise?
Check this: Tell me where I am wrong.
But before you do anything else, the discussion goes
You sure you want a 1% back in 2021 as president?
Thank you for admitting that the $200 won't break Medicare.
That was my precise point.
I have "admitted" no such thing. As to a "precise" point, $200 for an individual won't accomplish much in the realm of 'merican healthcare! Sure, you know that already.
I know seniors who can really use that money for meds. Meds prescribed by doctors. so I figure that IS a part of healthcare.
maybe you figure seniors don't need it.
Well, it's better than nothing, right. However, Donald knows that it's a bribe. And when did conservatives start agreeing to bribery? If he going to properly 'pump the system for votes' make it an even $400-$500 per senior. Now, they can get some meds!
BTW, why give away somebody else money - that is a conservative "preach" point. Nobody ASKED Donald to do it. And, it isn't enough to win favor from the uninformed atknown the informed!
you must hold a very low opinion of our seniors if you think their vote can be bought for $200.
I think they will have already made their minds up and this will not affect their votes
Actually, that failed to register. Seniors are smart and most have sufficient wisdom to discern that Donald did not do his best to stop them and himself (a senior) from getting the Coronavirus . And yet he is about to 'kill off' their medicare in a damnable strike in a second term! (All seniors that survive the coronavirus (Covid-19) will most probably have "long-hauler medical issues.")
Donald is not being nice to give $200 to individuals who did not ask for it. He is being diabolically and deceptive to compel a 'pay-off' before writing out a 'piss-off'!
you need to make up your mind. please.
Either it is what you called a bribe, or what seems to be some diabolic plan to get rid of Medicare.
look. I get that you want to vent about Trump. but to me, this is a loser for you to worry about.
also, no need to talk glowingly of seniors now after saying their votes could be bought for $200. as if that is their only concern about who runs the country.
excellent!
People on Medicare Advantage plans can get maintenance drugs with zero copay for a 90 supply by mail order
Couldn't hurt the trust fund at all because......The Medicare and Social Security trust funds have been drained for the last 50 yeas by scumbag professional politicians who used the money to buy votes with social programs. The actual money in those funds was replaced with worthless, uncollectable IOU's. Those programs are now funded by general government funds voted for on a yearly basis, just like all other Federal Government programs.
Sorry! Are you criticizing the past (which you can not properly affect) or directing any ire at the present administration which you can impact up or down? I mean, really this is 'life' we're all going to need a little help from our friends in high places as part of our tapestry. Depleting the "general fund" farther (to use your statements as context) as a last ditch political stunt is not a conservative value—or is it now?
One vial of insulin, (a months supply), is ~$300.00.
$200.00 a month is a slap in the face.
Why is a so-called "conservative" president handing out $200 dollars medicare cards to individual seniors during a presidential election?
funny, some think it too much and will cripple Medicare. while others think it isn't enough.
not possible to please all
contrary, possibly, to what you have been told. conservatives aren't trying to push Granny off a cliff.
I think you intended to be insulting. so, moving on.
I suppose nothing is preferable?
Is this "cash for favor" 'working'? No wonder Trump conservatives are considered Conservative In Name Only! True conservatives probably would not dream up such a scheme as cashing out to appeal to voters in the throbs of election.
Why do you persist in this charade?
Cashing out to appeal to voters?
The same ones you seem to think can be bought for such a sum?
For an amount you called a bribe?
You think seniors are easily bribed?
Was he only going to send it to Democrats and independents because what would be the point of "bribing" people already voting for him, right?
See @2.1.11.
I have elderly pts that are on several meds and we do our best to prescribe the cheapest brand we can. They still come on the office to get a months worth of samples because its still too expensive. I hear them talk everyday that the extra $200 would help immensely.
Although the $200 will help in the very short term it is only a band-aid on a gushing wound.
The overall lowering of drug prices is a much better fix. Trump has stated that he will do that, so I guess he better get to hopping. He can start by pushing a change in the law that allows Medicare/Medicaid to negotiate drug prices with the drug companies.
Do you tell them to check out Good RX, GaJenn. Many seniors don't know about it and it can save them money.
The !600/week that they were getting, before Trump and the Republicans let it lapse... was kinda better, though... Don't you think?
Yes, we constantly give those cards to our pts. Sometimes it helps sometimes it doesn't and for the meds it doesn't help for, we make sure we have samples for them.
I'm not a senior so I'm not sure the specifics of that. I'm just saying what my elderly pts are telling me. I do what I am able to for my pts. And that includes making sure I/we have ample supply of certain meds that are expensive so we are able to give them a months worth
I thought that was already in the works. Big Phama that is. Stuff doesn't just happen overnight, no matter who is president or which side controls whatever. I don't care for either candidate, but I also know that the pharmaceutical (sp?) lobbyist are a Big problem. I work in healthcare so that is a big thing for me. I also see people who have "insurance" through the marketplace and it doesn't cover crap. Pts come in and would rather be "selfpay" because its cheaper to pay our established rate of $80 for an office visit as opposed to waiting for us to file insurance and it pay $25 and the pt getting a bill for $200. That's the boat I'm in. We have insurance, but a high deductible plan. For the same price 10 yrs ago, we had copays and $2500 deductible and it covered the same stuff. Honestly, I just want to be able to take my girls to the doctor for strep or flu and it cost me $25. Now, I get a bill for $174 and change AFTER paying a $45 copay.
Who were those career politicians? republicans?
Thanks, seems that you are doing your very best for the seniors.
A couple of my family members are doctors so I get a ''birds eye view'' of much of this nonsense.
Agreed, the Pharma lobby is big, powerful and spends millions to keep the system the way it is.
As a senior, I see the impact of the 20% supplemental costs. As you get older they constantly go up and before I switched to a PPO they were up to $350 per month. Just crazy.
They are my favorite pts!!! And I love them. Some are cranky old peeps but I think they like me, as I can always get a smile out of them. Some are just happy go lucky. It makes my day when they say "Thanks Jenn, you have been great, have a blessed/great day" Totally worth dealing with crankiness😍
Its crazy not to get a PPO if your over a certain age! An HMO is great if your in your 20s, no kids and no health issues
Don't ignore the obvious! This is an attempt to buy short-term favor for votes by the so-called conservative president. Trump is not a conservative, despite the long series of attempts at camouflage.
Conservatives always gripe about "freebies" this and "freebies" that and now it A-Okay? What is wrong with this really small investment in helping seniors? Is it because it is insignificantly small that conservatives like it? Please elaborate.
So right, Kavika! Two hundred dollars from a government that can do so much more to help people, even help themselves is BS. Trump knows it and is patronizes his supporters. Because liberals (seniors) will never respect such a blatant attempt to buy their priceless life stories and chance to cast off a condescending idiot like Donlald at any cost!
Well, I'm a cranky old Indian so you're probably much better off without me as a patient. LOL
I'd be honored to have you!😍
Seniors were getting $ 600 a week before Trump and the Republicans let it lapse? I'm a senior why didn't I get $ 600 a week?
Same here, MM. I am also a senior, and I never saw any $600.00 a week in my mail box or my bank account. Never once. And I live in a Senior Community complex of 400+ apartments, and none of the other tenants received that money either. And, none of my senior friends got it either.
So, it was either a lie, or only a select group of seniors were given the $600.00 a week. Based upon Trumps MO, I'd say it was a lie.
When has this 'president' ever actually WORKED?
Saw it, not impressed.
Uh, we are talking about seniors on Medicare getting money for drugs.
I dare say the majority of seniors are retired and not getting that $600 you are talking about.
Well, I am not old enough to qualify for Medicare yet, but my wife is, and that $200 will cover our deductible for her supplemental insurance.
I never said "seniors".
The $600 were for victims of the pandemic. SMBs in danger of folding. Lay-offs and so on. Logically, NOT for seniors. I do not know how it was attributed.
You may be. I was not.
The $600 were for economic victims of the pandemic. Lay-offs, SMBs in peril,...
Logically, few seniors. Not me, in any case.
Well, Bob, if you read the article, you know that I am talking about IT, which is the $200 cards going to Medicare recipients.
You are talking about $600 payments to people on unemployment--TOTALLY DIFFERENT SUBJECT.
Thank-you for doing what you can for your patients
Of course!!! The pts are my favorite part of my job!❤
what the hell happened to 50 some comments???
Geez! You go torture some trout for a week and everything goes to hell!
Click the little arrow beside 55 at 2.1. Opens them up quite nicely. Hope you had a successful trip
Gee... Trump wants to run a scam...
Gosh...
Is there any news today?
WHAT scam??
Read the article before commenting next time!
I did, and my question stands--UNANSWERED, of course!
Funny how some posters think we answer to them. . .
Let's get it straight, okay?
I KNOW no one answers to me, okay?
But I come here to engage people in conversation.
Maybe you can try that one day.
He is BEYOND disgusting - this is just the icing on the whole mess he's created. Have you heard about the $21 million Las Vegas bit yet? The rest of the world must be aghast - IMO because of that P.O.S. the USA has to have become the laughing stock of the world, if not being pitied. Aren't his supporters ashamed, especially because supporting him brings shame upon themselves? He makes a snake seem like an angel.
Of course not. There is nothing that would be ugly enough for them to fall away from their Glorious Leader. Remember that Trump said it himself:
"I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot someone, and I wouldn't lose a single voter!"
His TrueBelievers will go as low as they must, to follow him.
when are y'all gonna learn
unnamed sources = complete bs
"A lot of people say"
I'm glad you agree that Trump peddles complete B.S.
I think trmp invented the phrase "a lot of people say"
Yeah, I know, truth and facts are deflection in trump supporters world.
Not surprising at all. Reminds one of the food aid boxes fiasco.
Obviously the Pied Piper's followers see nothing wrong with the inclusion of their hero's personal promotion with the drug discount cards, a personal promotion at the expense of the Medicare Trust Fund. Isn't that a kind of theft, by Mrl Law and Order? Didn't he do something like that before? . LOL.
I am 68 and I pay maybe 12 dollars a month on meds, if that. When my husband was alive he took meds that would cost the average American $1500 a month. Thanks to the military discount, it was one tenth of that. For the average American on multiple meds, I doubt that 200 would make a dent. Even if it did cover it, it would only be for one month.
I appreciate your husbands service. I work for a major hospital system in Ga and the office I work for, our pts are 80% Tricare active duty or retired. We have a program with just our office that helps vets get all or at least 90% of their benefits because the VA is dicking them around. As of last week, week, we are now accepting VA insurance. The VA is "referring" their pts to us. VA insurance pays next to nothing for outside med care but now we are contracted with them, hopefully this will be a good thing for our vets who are our pts and don't have "Tricare for life". A lot of them have the VA insurance, and honestly, I'm so happy that we are taking it now
And your service! I'm sorry!
The injection he needed once a week for his MS would have been at least a grand a month. Thanks to Tri Care, we weren't put into poverty. I thank you for the good work you are doing.
Thank you! We try! 3 out of my 4 providers are military and 2 served together. I enjoy working with them and our pts! I enjoy being able to tell them "than you for your service" on a daily basis 😁
Although I have Medicare and Tri Care, should I be looking into your providers?
Paula, we currently have TriCare, but when we turn 65 will that become Medicare?
Medicare will turn into your Primary and Tricare will then be your secondary ins. At least here in Ga that's the way it goes. If you have a $20 copay now with Tricare, you shouldn't have that any longer. Paula, I'm in Ga, but if you want to come visit our providers, come on over! You would be surprised at how many out of state vets we have that are pts! I had one today that was an hour and a half early for his appt because he drove in from Ft. Myers.
Sorry TG, I know that question wasn't for me. Just offering up any info that could be helpful ☺
I'm grateful you answered it. Thanks for the information