Patient Power

Lawsuit Challenges Coercion of Seniors into Medicare

From the Institute for Health Freedom:

Seniors Defend Right to Social Security Benefits in Brian Hall, et al. v. Michael Leavitt, et al.

A lawsuit challenging the withholding of Social Security benefits from seniors who decline Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) was filed October 9 in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. (The Social Security Administration’s Policy No. HI 00801.002 imposed this restriction.)

Two of the three plaintiffs in Brian Hall, et al. v. Michael Leavitt, et al. want to apply for Social Security but don’t want to participate in Medicare Part A.  The other plaintiff did not want to participate, but was automatically enrolled when he applied for Social Security.  The plaintiffs have other insurance plans (catastrophic coverage) and savings to pay for their hospital care.  One plaintiff has a Health Savings Account (HSA) that he wouldn’t be able to contribute to because the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 and IRS rules prevent beneficiaries from doing so.  Most important, all three plaintiffs want their doctor-patient relationships free of interference. For them, paying privately is the best way to ensure that freedom. 

Read more here.

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