Senior Spotlight: Medicare Concerns

At a rally in Orlando, Florida, there were more fears that health care reform will lead to "rationing."

The event was arranged by cardiologists already facing cuts in payments from Medicare. The doctors say theyll have to ration- and possibly deny- care to elderly patiets.

Talk like that is fueling to health care reform opposition among seniors.

A CBS News poll shows 57% of the 65-and-over crowd thinks their access to care will diminish and their own costs will rise. At the heart of many fears is President Obamas proposal to find $300 billion dollars in savings from Medicare over ten years. He says he can do it without touching benefits.

On the benefit side, Democrats aim to reduce the so-called Medicare "doughnut hole." Thats where some patients pay the full cost of their prescription medicine until theyve spent $3,600 out-of-pocket. Democrats would also eliminate co-payments for screenings and preventive services.

Among the worries is $160 billion dollars in cuts to private companies that provide "Medicare advantage" insurance to millions of seniors.

The president says cuts will come from company profits. But Republicans say the companies may raise premiums, cut benefits or even drop out of Medicare, forcing seniors to change plans.

With so many seniors worked up over health care reform. Some are taking things in stride, believing things will remain just as they are.

In Abilene, more doctors are no longer accepting Medicare patients. Local seniors will share their thoughts on that in next weeks Senior Spotlight.