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In recent years, I have heard numerous complaints about Medicare. Some pundits call Medicare “socialized medicine”. Others complain that it is too expensive. Some physicians say that medicare requires too many forms, has too many rules, pays them too little, and is very slow at processing claims. Many of these complaints are fuel for debates among politicians. Some politicians have suggested eliminating the program.

We must remember why medicare was created in the first place. Before Medicare was legislated in 1965, seniors faced a health care crisis. Only one in eight elder Americans had health insurance and the policies issued to seasoned Americans was not comprehensive. When an older American developed a chronic condition such as heart disease, the cost of their medical care was prohibitive. Insurance companies that provided policies to seniors considered them “illness prone” and “bad risks”. Premiums for elder Americans steadily increased and many insurers refused to sell policies. Congressional hearings during the early 1960′s concluded that private insurers were “incapable” of providing comprehensive coverage for older Americans. So starting in 1965 medicare became available for any American who qualified for Social Security. In 1972 it was extended to the disabled. Not only did older Americans want the Medicare program but, private insurers supported the program, corporations and unions who had policies for their workers wanted their policy holders transferred to Medicare.

The facts reveal a complex governmental program. In the late 1940s and 50s, when Medicare was first conceived, it was directed toward seniors without other medical benefits. Lobbyists became involved and slowly broadened the program. Large corporations with retirement health benefits for their workers persuaded congress to mandate that Medicare would cover their retired employees who were 65 or older. Unions with benefit funds jumped on the bandwagon. Many state governments joined. Finally, the federal government itself legislated that all federal retirees over 65 should be included. Currently anyone who worked at a job that required payment of Social Security Tax, was employed for 10 years, and is 65 or older, may apply for medicare. If eligible people who receive social security, do not apply, they are automatically enrolled.

Would private insurers be more efficient than Medicare? No, private insurers spend and average of 15-20 percent of their assets on administration, leaving only 80 percent for benefits. Medicare spends 2 percent on administration, leaving 98 percent for benefits. Some opponents claim that “hidden costs” raise the administrative costs of Medicare to 5 Percent. If they are accurate that still means 95 percent for benefits, a 15 percent efficiency gain over private insurance. Finally, those who wish to privatize medicare must remember that private insurers formerly offered such insurance and wanted out of the business as it was not profitable – it was too much of a risk.

My brief research suggests that Medicare must be here to stay. Instead of complaining about the program, why not suggest changing the portions of Medicare that are not effective? Streamline the forms and possibly computerize them. As “socialized medicine” the VA solved numerous problems in medical practice. For many years the VA has used a system where a physician writes a computerized prescription which automatically is available to the pharmacy or to any other treatment or diagnostic service in the system. If it is “socialized medicine” then we note that the Veterans Administration provides some of the best care possible, provides research and development that generates improved medical devices and procedures to society. The VA may be “socialized medicine” but as a veteran I can attest that it is wonderful competent medical care. If opponents claim some other “evil” then we fix it. Let us accept a program that works instead of making the huge mistake of killing the program because of politics.

So, lobbyists and members of Congress, let us cease to complain, recognize that Medicare is a jewel, maybe streamline it a bit and stop making it a political football.