Rising costs predicted in health care bill. Washington Times.
Alas, realistic expectations surface. From the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services themselves. Those who actually deal with coverage, unlike the Congressional Budget Office that just analyzes and prepares reports.
Dealing an unexpected blow to Senate Democrat’s health care bill, administration economists on Friday predicted the overhaul would accelerate rising costs of health insurance and medical services, and that its proposed Medicare cuts could reduce care for senior citizens.
A report by analysts at the Health and Human Services Department said the bill would increase the nation’s annual spending on health care beyond the current $2.5 trillion at a slightly faster rate than if Congress did nothing. It concluded that new taxes on drugs, medical devices and health insurance plans would trigger higher insurance premiums for consumers.
The report also said the Democrats’ plan to pay for about half of the $1 trillion bill with Medicare cuts “may be unrealistic” and could undermine the Medicare program, warning the bill could force out of business one in five hospitals, nursing homes and home care providers.
And finally, the death knell sounding to doctors who accept Medicare.
“Providers for whom Medicare constitutes a substantive portion of their business could find it difficult to remain profitable,” the report said. “Absent legislative intervention, [physicians] might end their participation in the program, possibly jeopardizing access to care for beneficiaries.”
Time for the Senate to look before they leap. For a change.
See:
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/dec/12/rising-costs-predicted-in-health-care-bill/
Quipster 