Chained To Entitlements Whether Wanted Or Not
 

Federal Judge Rosemary Collyer, in a huge bit of legislating from the bench, has ruled that the Social Security Administration can make receipt of Social Security benefits contingent on enrollment in Medicare. Plus, a person who withdraws from Medicare would not only give up Social Security benefits but also have to repay all benefits previously provided.

The plaintiffs in this case had paid into both programs all their lives and were eligible for both programs. But they didn't want to enroll in Medicare because they had their own savings and health insurance programs that they preferred.

None of the plaintiffs wanted any money back, they just didn't want to enroll in Medicare but still collect their Social Security benefits.

The law states clearly that when a person attains all the prerequisites he or she "shall be entitled" to the benefits, but the legislating judge decided that "This was a different type of entitlement".

So, as of now, seniors are forced into Medicare, wanted or not.

The complete article follows, along with the relating of the fact that this judge contradicted her own previous ruling. I guess it's up to the higher courts now.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion...W49SLG5xwS3kvJ

Chained To Entitlements
 

I read a similar article. First the term "entitlement" drives me crazy since people were forced to contribute their entire working lives to these fun ds. So when pols use the term entitlement it means that they have always felt entitled to raid these trust funds to the tune of somw 12 billion dollars. Those individuals wanting to opt out of medicare have private plans they consider to be superior to medicare. Since Obamacare will eventually push us all into one government plan liberal jurists understand that this is an essential fight for ObamaCare. This is a classic reason why it becomes important that full disclosure by candidates running for or bing appointed to courts at all level is necessary. Far too many of these attorneys are getting by without notice:cold: