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CBO Confirms That Without Accounting Gimmicks, Obamacare Adds to Deficits

By on 3.19.10 @ 6:13PM

Responding to an inquiry from Rep. Paul Ryan, the Congressional Budget Office has confirmed that when you remove certain accounting gimmicks from the Democrats' health care legislation, it actually increases the deficit.

Democrats have touted a CBO report that found that their health care bill would reduce the deficit by $138 billion from 2010 to 2019. But that number assumes that hundreds of billions of dollars in Medicare cuts would be used to pay for the new health care entitlement. In a letter to Ryan, the CBO estimates that if the Medicare cuts were used to help shore up the effectively bankrupt Medicare trust fund instead, then the Democrats health care bill would run $260 billion in deficits over the next decade.

In an earlier version of the House bill, Democrats included a measure to avoid scheduled cuts in doctors' payments under Medicare. They removed the measure when they couldn't get the numbers to add up, but they have continued to pass temporary delays of the cuts and have vowed to tackle the issue separately from the current health care bill. In the letter, CBO projects that if the so-called "doc fix" were added to the legislation, it would produce deficits of $59 billion from 2010 to 2019.

Earlier CBO estimates also asume that future lawmakers would actually enact some of the unpopular measures, such as the Medicare cuts and the "Cadillac tax." These are crucial to Democrats' claims that the bill will reduce deficits even more -- by $1.2 trillion -- in the second decade. But in the letter, the CBO says that without the changes, deficits would actually increase -- by a quarter of a percent of GDP, or $600 billion -- in the second decade.

Liberals have tried to portrat any criticism of the Democrats' deficit reduction claims as an attack on the integrity of the CBO itself. But as this letter demonstrates, this isn't about attacking the CBO. It's just simply acknowledging that CBO analysis can vary greatly based on the questions you ask them. And clearly, Democrats kept tweaking the language until they were able to get the CBO score they wanted.

View all comments (121) | Leave a comment

Trackback| 3.19.10 @ 7:20PM

Yedda: More Socialist Obama Bullcrap!!, on MarineReconDad's questions on Yedda - People. Sharing. Knowledge., links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

MarineReconDad asked: CBO Confirms That Without Accounting Gimmicks, Obamacare Adds to Deficits Responding to an inquiry from Rep. Paul Ryan, the Congressional Budget Office has confirmed that when you remove certain accounting gimmicks from the ...

Pingback| 3.19.10 @ 7:52PM

CBO Confirms That Without Accounting Gimmicks, Obamacare Adds to Deficits links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…from the current health care bill. In the letter, CBO projects that if the so-called “doc fix” were added to the legislation, it would produce deficits of $59 billion from 2010 to 2019. Read more ….. Share and Enjoy: Tweet This Post Related posts: Harry Reid’s Senate Health Bill Hides the True Cost Through Shady Accounting and Gimmicks. Democrat Advises Silence on Unconstitutional…

CJohnson| 3.19.10 @ 8:47PM

We kissed off owning our health care when we gave away the right to treat and cure ourselves back in early 1900's, and this is EXACTLY as warned; utterly helpless and ignorant, and at the Doctor's mercy.
We cannot deliver our children, we cannot set a broken bone or treat a simple wound, we cannot diagnose or cure or treat nor offer help to each other beyond first aid.

Nobama| 3.20.10 @ 12:31AM

We died a lot younger, too. A lot younger.

Wakefield Tolbert| 3.19.10 @ 8:55PM

Well, we were warned.

And warned some more.

Worse than the economics of all this, is the long term infantilization of the population that is now the plague of Europe. Socialized meds are the "tipping point" where government deems (speaking of that word lately) that it must intervene in life and culture in ways never before seen. To ration, to hold down costs.

At that point, we have a permanent Left-of-Center nation as far as government power is concerned, with little chance of retracting any of this wealth transfer and glop (indeed, name one major government programs that the Republicans have undone, even if they wouldn't be mocked for trying and the Dems demogogued the issue like they did with school lunch "cutbacks" and Graeme Frost).

Philip| 3.19.10 @ 10:12PM

Regarding the CBO scoring the Dems are crowing about, Table 2 shows $4B in penalties from uninsured individuals as income to the federal gummint. This means that 16,000 people per year will cut checks to the IRS for the maximum fine of $250,000. Very few people who have no insurance will have $250,000 to donate to the cause. Another way to look at this would be 160,000 people cutting checks for $25,000. Again, that doesn't sound feasible to me. Maybe if 1,600,000 paid a fine of $2,500, that would do it. Don't you just love the assumptions in this thing?

Pingback| 3.20.10 @ 8:08AM

Tyranny USA: Just When You Thought ObamaCare Couldn’t Get Worse… IRS Slotted to Beco links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…and Video: Sen. Tom Coburn’s Message To Dems – “Be Prepared To Defend Selling Your Vote In The House” and 72 Hours to “Kill The Bill” Philip Klein, American Spectator: CBO Confirms That Without Accounting Gimmicks, Obamacare Adds to Deficits and Latest Dem Bill Raises Medicare Tax for Fourth Time — Before Even Being Enacted Hot Air: AP fact check: Premiums will rise under ObamaCare Categories: Economy,…

Pingback| 3.20.10 @ 1:06PM

The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : CBO Confirms That Without … — Accounting Blog links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

: CBO Confirms That Without … — Accounting Blog Accounting Blog Home The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : CBO Confirms That Without … Posted on the March 20th, 2010 under Accounting by unknown wrote an interesting post today. Here’s a quick excerpt Paul Ryan, the Congressional Budget Office has confirmed that when you remove certain baccounting/b gimmicks from the Democrats’ health…

Pingback| 3.20.10 @ 1:17PM

The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : CBO Confirms That Without … | money blog links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…from the Democrats’ health care legislation, it actually increases the deficit. Democrats have touted a CBO report that found that … View original post here:  The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : CBO Confirms That Without … Related Money Content March 4, 2010 -- Deutsche Bank Securities hires Konstam (0) March 4, 2010 -- Bank of England keeps rates at 0.5% (0) March 19, 2010 -- Land banking…

Pingback| 3.20.10 @ 3:57PM

The health care bill: the executive summary - Sportbikes.net links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…greatly based on the questions you ask them. And clearly, Democrats kept tweaking the language until they were able to get the CBO score they wanted. The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : CBO Confirms That Without Accounting Gimmicks, Obamacare Adds to Deficits __________________ What do Obama and Osama have in common? They both have friends that bombed the Pentagon!!   synesthesia1 View Public Profile…

Pingback| 3.20.10 @ 5:24PM

What career would allow me to work from home? links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…know what career will allow me to do that. Related Blogs Accounting Finance Careers « Accounting Accounting Outsourcing-takes your Company to a New Height | Jobs … The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : CBO Confirms That Without … Remembering the “ Career” in “College- and Career-Ready” « The … Kyler's Career, Pataky's Season End in NCAA Consolations After … What is Your Career…

Eric CArtman| 3.20.10 @ 8:25PM

"CBO Confirms That Without Accounting Gimmicks, Obamacare Adds to Deficits"

All together now, "Duuuuuuhhhhhhhh!"

Pingback| 3.20.10 @ 9:32PM

Let Me Call You Sweetheart… Democrats’ Dirty Deals & Bribes to Pass ObamaCare (video links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…and Video: Sen. Tom Coburn’s Message To Dems – “Be Prepared To Defend Selling Your Vote In The House” and 72 Hours to “Kill The Bill” Philip Klein, American Spectator: CBO Confirms That Without Accounting Gimmicks, Obamacare Adds to Deficits Hot Air: AP fact check: Premiums will rise under ObamaCare Categories: Conservatism, Economy, Government, Health, Social and Political Climate, Videos, Audio Files Tags:…

Pingback| 3.20.10 @ 11:09PM

Washington, DC Tea Party Rally Video: ‘Kill the Bill’ ObamaCare Tea Party Protest, M links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…and Video: Sen. Tom Coburn’s Message To Dems – “Be Prepared To Defend Selling Your Vote In The House” and 72 Hours to “Kill The Bill” Philip Klein, American Spectator: CBO Confirms That Without Accounting Gimmicks, Obamacare Adds to Deficits Hot Air: AP fact check: Premiums will rise under ObamaCare Categories: Freedom of Speech, Government, Health, Social and Political Climate, Videos, Audio Files Tags: Code…

Pingback| 3.20.10 @ 11:55PM

Deficit Neutral? PUH-LEASE! « Action Information links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…of Obamacare that exist today.  Tomorrow is another day.  More pieces and more budget estimates.  But if the next estimate jacks up the cost too high, we will just sweep it under the rug and pretend it does not exist Shhhh… From → Health Care Reform No comments yet Click here to cancel reply. Leave a Reply Name: (required): Email: (required): Website: Comment: Note: XHTML is allowed. Your email…

Pingback| 3.21.10 @ 1:02AM

Florida’s Democrat Rep. Alcee Hastings: “There Are No Rules Here … We Make Them Up A links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Message To Dems – “Be Prepared To Defend Selling Your Vote In The House” Rep Michele Bachmann, Big Government: Sabbath: Vote On Abortion Philip Klein, American Spectator: CBO Confirms That Without Accounting Gimmicks, Obamacare Adds to Deficits Hot Air: Video: Ryan vs Slaughter on Medicare reform and AP fact check: Premiums will rise under ObamaCare Categories: Economy, Government, Health, Social and Political…

Pingback| 3.21.10 @ 6:42AM

John Boehner is still an asshole. | Verbal Paintball links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…proposal will make it through and you will be a dingleberry on the ass of history. Politics john boehner John Boehner is still an asshole. | Verbal Paintball Related Blogs The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : CBO Confirms That Without … Director's Blog » Blog Archive » Preliminary Cost Estimate for … Director's Blog » Blog Archive » Uncertainty in Estimates for … Former CBO Chief:…

Pingback| 3.21.10 @ 7:55AM

Beautiful Day for a Health Care Protest: Thousands Attend Washington, DC Tea Party R links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Message To Dems – “Be Prepared To Defend Selling Your Vote In The House” Rep Michele Bachmann, Big Government: Sabbath: Vote On Abortion Philip Klein, American Spectator: CBO Confirms That Without Accounting Gimmicks, Obamacare Adds to Deficits Michelle Malkin: Cave-in Watch and The Deem-o-crats’ towering deception Categories: Entertainment, Celebrities, Freedom of Speech, Government, Health, Law &…

Pingback| 3.21.10 @ 10:00AM

Most Tweeted Articles by Conservative Experts links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…to Batter Congress - Roll Call Members continued to be inundated with phone calls from constituents and interest groups Friday than... 5 Tweets The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : CBO Confirms That Without Accounting Gimmicks, Obamacare Adds to Deficits 5 Tweets EXCLUSIVE -- Democrats plan doc fix after reform - Live Pulse - POLITICO.com Political news coverage from POLITICO.com on Congress and…

Pingback| 3.21.10 @ 12:55PM

Today’s the Day: Minority Leader Boehner’s “Call of the Roll” & GOP Address… Congres links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Message To Dems – “Be Prepared To Defend Selling Your Vote In The House” Rep Michele Bachmann, Big Government: Sabbath: Vote On Abortion Philip Klein, American Spectator: CBO Confirms That Without Accounting Gimmicks, Obamacare Adds to Deficits Michelle Malkin: Cave-in Watch and The Deem-o-crats’ towering deception Categories: Conservatism, Economy, Government, Health, Social and Political Climate, Videos, Audio…

Pingback| 3.21.10 @ 1:13PM

No Surprise Here: Obama’s Promises Missing from Health Care Bill « Frugal Café Blog links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…(pause for laughter) and A Day in the Life of a Protest Sign Request Rep Michele Bachmann, Big Government: Sabbath: Vote On Abortion Philip Klein, American Spectator: CBO Confirms That Without Accounting Gimmicks, Obamacare Adds to Deficits Michelle Malkin: Cave-in Watch and The Deem-o-crats’ towering deception Categories: Government, Health, Social and Political Climate Tags: About the author Vicki McClure…

Pingback| 3.21.10 @ 7:54PM

The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : CBO Confirms That Without … « makemerichwithads links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Responding to an inquiry from Rep. Paul Ryan, the Congressional Budget Office has confirmed that when you remove certain accounting gimmicks … See original here: The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : CBO Confirms That Without … Accounting, budget-office, cbo, confirms, congressional, deficits, deficits-responding, gimmicks, obamacare-adds, office This entry was posted on March 19, 2010, 6:13 PM…

Pingback| 3.21.10 @ 10:50PM

Americanly Yours | We Lost The Health Care Battle–Now What? links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Well theyve gone and done it.  Congress has passed a bill that has been consistently opposed by the majority of Americans. This bill is horrendously costly and will cause the country’s deficits and total debt to rapidly expand –something that we can hardly afford when we are already in grave danger of losing our AAA credit rating. After watching debate over this bill on C-SPAN, it is…

Pingback| 3.24.10 @ 6:17PM

The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : CBO Confirms That Without … « Internet Cafe Sol links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…from the Democrats’ health care legislation, it actually increases the deficit. Democrats have touted a CBO report that found that … Read the original: The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : CBO Confirms That Without … No Comments » No comments yet. RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL Leave a comment Name (required) Mail (will not be published) (required) Website…

Pingback| 3.26.10 @ 11:29AM

Social Security Upside Down - Page 3 - US Message Board - Political Discussion Forum links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…bankrupt Medicare trust fund instead, then the Democrats health care bill would run $260 billion in deficits over the next decade. (more...) The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : CBO Confirms That Without Accounting Gimmicks, Obamacare Adds to Deficits And here's yet another case of unrealistic expectations: Quote: The Democrats in Congress argued that they would gain $5.4 billion in revenue by…

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Raise your taxes to payoff your deficit? - Page 5 links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…surplus for Social Security for the next 20 years, too, if i was just allowed to count revenue as many times as i liked while not counting payouts i preferred to ignore. CBO Confirms that without Budgeting Gimmicks, Health Care Adds to Deficits don't tell me you didn't notice the "doc fix" sailing through congress quietly a couple of days after? when Bill A requires 500 Bn in savings to be…

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