In Politico, Senators Richard Burr and Tom Coburn
present a
criticism of Obama's health care policies that is all too rare
among Republicans. They do warn that health care is becoming too
expensive and that Medicare is unsustainable, but they don't stop
at complaining about the cost. In fact, they worry that Obamacare
cut Medicare by too much:
Unfortunately, President Barack Obama's health care overhaul
reduced [Medicare Advantage] payments - spending the money instead
on new bureaucracies and government programs. As a result,
according to the Medicare actuary, by 2017, roughly half of seniors
who like their MA plan probably would lose it.
...
It also took about $530 billion from Medicare to spend on new
programs not for seniors. The law created an independent payment
board of unelected Medicare czars, who can reduce reimbursements to
health care providers who care for seniors.
All these changes are wrongheaded and will hurt seniors’ access
to care.
In other words, the concern is that the quality of care provided
to seniors will suffer, not just that it will be too expensive. By
cutting Medicare Advantage, which is a program that allows Medicare
recipients to choose private plans, and decreasing payments to
traditional Medicare, Obama's lowering the quality of care without
addressing the fiscal problems posed by Medicare.
For some reason, Republican criticisms of Obamacare have focused
almost solely on the cost of the bill and the possibility that it
will dampen job creation. Those concerns are valid, but they pale
in comparison to the harm Obamacare will do in terms of limiting
people's health care choices -- especially for seniors.
Good point. The GOP has been too limited in addressing the
failings of ObamaCare and other Democratic initiatives. Thanks for
raising this point - it isn't just the increased cost which is a
problem, but the likely decline in the quality and scope of health
services.
Occam's Tool| 12.1.11 @ 8:12PM
Government should get OUT as much as possible---Medicaid and
Medicare ruined the compensation set up by overloading private
insurers with costs caused by politicians promising more than they
could pay for.
Nite| 12.1.11 @ 8:32PM
The unconfirmed unelected IPAB (reports to Obama instead of
Congress) will not only cut payments to Docs and Hospitals, but
will cut benefits. Seniors will be lucky to even find a physician
to see them. It is almost that way now. When there is a plan by
this group to even cut Hospice care, then you know there will be
many Seniors (without family) die alone and in agony. Death Panels
are here now.
RJ| 12.1.11 @ 6:40PM
Good point. The GOP has been too limited in addressing the failings of ObamaCare and other Democratic initiatives. Thanks for raising this point - it isn't just the increased cost which is a problem, but the likely decline in the quality and scope of health services.
Occam's Tool| 12.1.11 @ 8:12PM
Government should get OUT as much as possible---Medicaid and Medicare ruined the compensation set up by overloading private insurers with costs caused by politicians promising more than they could pay for.
Nite| 12.1.11 @ 8:32PM
The unconfirmed unelected IPAB (reports to Obama instead of Congress) will not only cut payments to Docs and Hospitals, but will cut benefits. Seniors will be lucky to even find a physician to see them. It is almost that way now. When there is a plan by this group to even cut Hospice care, then you know there will be many Seniors (without family) die alone and in agony. Death Panels are here now.