Comments on: Does Anyone Believe the ObamaCare Cuts in Medicare Spending are Real? Probably Not.

By: Clarence F

Clarence F — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:42:21 +0000

We keep hearing cut cost, cut fraud, etc, but what happened to the idea of making the patient responsible for approving all charges? Today the patient is never allowed to see a bill much less approve the charges. If the provider and payor are the only people involved in the payment system how will there ever be control of cost or enough information to have reasonable cost and fraud control? Cost controls will only run providers out of the system not fix the system.

By: Devon Herrick

Devon Herrick — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:59:28 +0000

I believe there are two primary reasons Congress continually advances the notion of cutting Medicare reimbursements. First, because it sounds reasonable (and painless) to the public – who don’t realize that nothing is ever done. Second, because frightened doctors make campaign donations to avoid the fee cuts.

In other words, it can all be explained as subterfuge and rent seeking.

By: Ken

Ken — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:29:05 +0000

Interesting. And this is from a liberal.

By: Brian W.

Brian W. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:46:21 +0000

You don’t need a crystal ball to predict this one. As we speak, Congress is considering legislation to RESTORE the cuts to Medicare doctor reimbursement rates.

Word to the Wise: This effort was never intended to pay for the new health entitlement. It was all to get around CBO’s accounting rules.

By: Tom H.

Tom H. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:41:22 +0000

If everybody on the left and the right agrees that the Medicare cuts will never happen then why do we continue with the fiction that the health reform bills pay for themselves?