THE PUBLIC PULSE The Public Pulse: Medicare facts; Southern words; Private school scholarship referendum

On Medicare

Richard Gehrman's Pulse letter "On health insurance," added to the confusion about Medicare funding. Gehrman complained that his $175 monthly premium for Part B was funding 80% of his medical bills, while the $388 monthly premium for a supplemental policy was funding only 20%. Obviously, the fair market value of comprehensive coverage for a senior is far more than $175, and payroll taxes are funding most of his benefits. Also, when Medicare caps fees below cost, hospitals and nursing homes must shift costs to patients with better private insurance or estates to exhaust (the real death tax).

Premiums for Medicare supplement policies are heavily regulated and do represent the fair market value based on age, however burdensome. To eliminate the cost and inconvenience of separate supplemental and drug policies, seniors can enroll in Part C (Medicare Advantage), accept the more limited choice of doctors and drugs, and comply with preauthorization procedures that ensure more surgeries and hospital stays are medically necessary.

Gehrman asks what hold insurance companies have on Medicare. All Medicare claims are administered by insurance companies, because they have the necessary expertise and computer systems. Under traditional Medicare (Parts A and B), they contract to administer claims by region for less than 3% of cost, without sharing risk. Under Medicare Advantage (Part C), they do share in the risk and can devote more resources to controlling fraud, waste and over-treatment - which can be as harmful as under-treatment.

BK Chaney, Omaha

Southern words

Having read Dennis Stransky's letter (Pulse, Feb. 23,) concerning preferred pronoun usage, and having spent most of my youth and some of my adult years in the South - I have only one thought: "The South will rise again!" All y'all just wait and see!

Barb Simmons, Bellevue

Private school funding

I am trying to wrap my head around the wasted time in the Nebraska Legislature. In 2023, State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan sponsored a bill to provide scholarships to families who want their children to attend private schools. The bill passed with opposition. The people of our great state mounted a successful petition drive to place a referendum on the 2024 ballot to remove that bill from Nebraska statutes. I agree with that referendum.

I have no issue with people wanting to send their children to private schools. However, I disagree with taxpayers having to pay the tuition for said schools. We already pay to support our public schools, which I think do a very good job of educating children. Apparently, Sen. Linehan thinks the state should be supporting private school attendance as the Legislature is once again spending time on a nearly identical bill to override the will of the people. Obviously Sen. Linehan doesn't realize that she was elected to her position by the will of the people to work for the people.

Joel Sacks, Omaha

Educational motivation

Arming teachers with guns?! Great idea! That should stop those darn kids from talking in class and help with getting their assignments in on time. Let's just hope the teacher doesn't come to class in a bad mood. Nebraska Legislature, you never cease to amaze!

Lou Bozak, Omaha

War is not the answer

I am deeply alarmed by Israel's bombardment of Rafah - "the last safe zone" in Gaza where more than 1.4 million displaced Palestinians are seeking refuge. The United Nations is warning of mass atrocities if this offensive proceeds.

That's why I urge Rep. Don Bacon and Sens. Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts to oppose the transfer of more weapons of war, which would only intensify this already terrible conflict. Instead, they must publicly call for a permanent cease-fire, regional de-escalation, and respect for international law to prevent further civilian harm.

It's critical they prioritize the protection of all civilians by working to increase humanitarian access, fully funding UNRWA (the U.N. agency supporting Palestinian refugees) and reaching a deal to secure the safe release of all Israeli hostages.

More war is not the answer. In truth, there is no military solution to this crisis. Only once the shooting stops for good can we finally address the root causes of the conflict. Without that, there is only more war in the future.

Nina Crabtree, Omaha

Simple fix

I have noticed with some interest the claims that President Biden's physical report left out a lot of information that is important to get a complete picture of his fitness to carry out the duties of president. He could have saved a great deal of time and hand-wringing if he would have gone to Trump's doctor. He could be declared both physically and mentally fit and, as a bonus, he would declare President Biden is only 39 years old. That would solve a lot of problems for President Biden. It's a simple fix, I think.

Gene Meyers, Omaha

On religious education

Reading about Dallas Asher defending a bill for students in public education getting religious education during school hours is interesting (Feb. 6). Sounds like the beginning of indoctrination to me. I don't believe that classroom time is the time for religious education, even if it's voluntary.

Once again the far right is trying to push their religious agenda on the public. If public school students want a religious education, they can do it on their own time.

Next thing you know, folks like Mr. Asher will be putting a bill into place where religious education will be mandatory in public schools.

Cindy Sass, Omaha

Verge of collapse

Terry Niver ("Simple choice") says if Trump wins, democracy may be lost forever, but if Biden wins we will play by the rules. What rules, may I ask, will we play by? The ones that ignore immigration law and pay illegals money and provide them with free plane tickets? I say democracy is already in the verge of collapse and only Trump can save it.

Chris Lewis, Omaha

Biden's mental status

Now that we have the special counsel's report regarding President Biden's mental status, we have in writing what we all have known for years. He is not competent to serve as president. If he is deemed incompetent to stand trial, then surely he is incompetent to serve as president.

The Cabinet and/or Congress have to act on this information and demand neuropsychiatric testing and remove him from office as outlined in the 25th Amendment. It is scary to think that our country has been led by this man and scarier to think that our leaders, for political reasons, have failed to act. They have no choice at this point now.

Stephen Smith, Omaha

Border agreement

The Republicans in the Senate and House both whined and cried for months to have a border agreement tied to aid for Ukraine and Israel. The Biden administration agreed and bipartisan negotiations were initiated. Now, after their negotiator, the Republican senator from Oklahoma, gives them what they asked for, they back out on orders from the Donald Trump.

Could there be any better example of hypocrisy and cowardice? Sens. Fischer and Ricketts both showed they are led around by the nose by Trump. They don't want a border settlement because they would no longer have a political issue to keep going in an election year. What a disgrace!!

Al Mumm, Waterloo, Neb.

Trump not suitable

Trump wants total immunity for any behavior as president. That sounds like a dictator - much like Putin, against whom no Russian would express disapproval without receiving severe consequences. No voice was ever allowed against Hitler either, for fear of possible punishment by death.

This is not how American democracy or freedom of speech works! Trump is not suitable for office in the United States of America.

Lorraine Clark Benson, Omaha