The differences between socialism and socialized medicine, as well as the discrepancies between social insurance versus private insurance, are points that are often confused or falsely explained.

Christopher Westfall, from Senior Savings Network, takes an in-depth look at Medicare Advantage plans, specifically the "How to Read My Health Plans" section of the current Medicare and You Booklet. His findings are informative and very insightful into the difficulties of understanding Medicare Advantage.

"Moment of Truth"  Truthseekers Podcast  - Michele Swenson is producing a series of podcasts that challenge the false corporate narrative and address the flawed concepts and corporate power structure underlying the failed U.S. health insurance; unfortunately, often resulting in the sacrifice of human and environmental health to the corporate bottom line.

Thom Hartmann discusses how private, for profit insurance companies claim they are providing you with Medicare coverage, but in reality are simply taking your money for their own financial gain.  

Medicare Advantage: Trojan Horse for Privatization of Medicare, a Truthseekers Podcast.  Michele Swenson interviews HCACF board member Robert Messman.  They explore the differences between Medicare, Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans.   Produced by Michele Swenson, Denver Open Media member and an HCACF board member. 

This article reports on why healthcare reform is not only necessary, but possible. 

The sheer number of billing abuses by Medicare Advantage plans is overwhelming and tax payers are paying the price, literally.  Sick patients are being charged higher rates than healthy ones, according to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

NPR reports that over the past 3 years, Medicare has been overcharged an excess of $30 billion by different health insurers, and recuperating the money is a slow and difficult process. Medicare Advantage plans are the cause of this crisis. 

Many efforts in Washington focus on the privatization of Medicare to perpetuate a fragmented multi-payer financing model that is unsustainable and increases administrative costs. One-third of all Medicare beneficiaries are now on private Medicare Advantage plans, which have become major profit centers for commercial insurances who game the system to cover only the healthy. The best means to universal healthcare is one single large risk pool, traditional Medicare insurance.