SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
The health care law means confusing changes for those on Medicare. Today, it's Mom and Dad. Tomorrow, it will be you.
Frustration is reaching a fever pitch.
"Older Americans outnumber those who are not doing what we want by so many, it's almost like it's time for an uprising," said Jeannie Grimes during a discussion organized by the Iowa AARP.
Grimes turned 65 in April, and says the last few months have been a rude awakening.
"The amount that was taken from social security, I was not aware of that. The variety of costs for supplements, I had no idea," she said.
Many call the Medicare system complicated.
"It does not pay for everything. If it's not going to pay for something then we need to know up front so we can prepare for those charges," said 70-year-old Jane Schweer.
Frances Madison may be getting older, but she's hardly slowing down, heading to tap class at the local seniors center every week.
"It's very good exercise and it's very good for the brain," said Madison, of Homer, Nebraska.
It also takes her mind off her husband's health problems.
"He has vascular disease," said Madison.
After multiple trips to the Mayo clinic in Rochester, Minnesota every year, Madison would be the first to say the system isn't perfect, but is it broken?
"The only thing that I would like is to have prescription drug coverage without costing so much more," Madison said.
She and her husband have stayed away from other programs to avoid the paperwork. Surveys show seniors are the most skeptical about health care overhaul.
"Well, I think it's gonna cost us a bunch of money, is what it's gonna do," said 75-year-old James Coon after the AARP discussion.
"There are a lot of people who have questions about the Affordable Health Care, whether it went too far or didn't go far enough," explained Iowa AARP Associate Director for Advocacy Anthony Carroll.
Federal spending on Medicare alone will reach a trillion dollars in a decade says the AARP. According to the group, two years later, the government will not have enough money to cover the growing number of seniors entering the program, leaving the future of Medicare uncertain.
"I would hate to have my children and grandchildren depend on that," pointed out Grimes.
AARP brought its "You've Earned a Say" program to the Siouxland Center for Active Generations Tuesday.
It included an electronic survey of everyone in attendance. A majority said the system needs reform, but major changes should wait.
© Jeannie Grimes railed against the federal government
