Senate Democrats Go for the Jugular on Medicare, Social Security

[Marthe48]

4. A local example of privatizing

A toll bridge linking Belpre, Ohio and Parkersburg, WV was privatized. It's been closed for a long time for repair and restoration. When it was managed by the State of WV, the toll for a car was .25 per crossing. You could get a book of tickets 5/1.00. As i understand it, when the bridge reopens, it'll have the transponder system. If you want the transponder, the subscription will cost $30/month minimum, plus 1.00 for each crossing. If you don't have a transponder, the toll will be $4.50 per crossing. That is for a car. Prices go up for other vehicles. Not only is the price to use the bridge rising to an unaffordable level, the private company also eliminated the toll booth jobs.

Privatization is a plum for companies who are awarded the business or service. And you can bet there are many companies slavering for a chance to get hold of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Privatizing isn't meant to help the consumer. Doesn't matter if it's a bridge or government programs. Quality and value goes down, and price goes up.