Get Ready for the Death Panels

Report says health care will cover more, cost more

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law is getting a mixed verdict in the first comprehensive look by neutral experts: More Americans will be covered, but costs are also going up.
Economic experts at the Health and Human Services Department concluded in a report issued Thursday that the health care remake will achieve Obama's aim of expanding health insurance — adding 34 million to the coverage rolls. But only because it holds a gun to the head of many of those who don't want it in the 1st place but weren't excluded from the count in the 1st place. But even this falls far short of the total number Obama et al claimed weren't covered & this still isn't the "universal coverage" they claimed it was.
But the analysis also found that the law falls short of the president's twin goal of controlling runaway costs, raising projected spending by about 1 percent over 10 years. That increase could get bigger, since Medicare cuts in the law may be unrealistic and unsustainable, the report warned.
It's a worrisome assessment for Democrats.
In particular, concerns about Medicare could become a major political liability in the midterm elections. The report projected that Medicare cuts could drive about 15 percent of hospitals and other institutional providers into the red, "possibly jeopardizing access" to care for seniors. Here comes the rationing that Obama, Pelosi, Reid & crew claimed wouldn't happen.
The report from Medicare's Office of the Actuary carried a disclaimer saying it does not represent the official position of the Obama administration. White House officials have repeatedly complained that such analyses have been too pessimistic and lowball the law's potential to achieve savings. Of course it would carry a disclaimer about not representing the official lie er position of the Obama administration. IMHO these predictions are optimistic & things will be even worse.

The report acknowledged that some of the cost-control measures in the bill — Medicare cuts, a tax on high-cost insurance and a commission to seek ongoing Medicare savings — could help reduce the rate of cost increases beyond 2020. But it held out little hope for progress in the first decade. Could, not would, so even after 2020 it may not. & if it doesn't, which I doubt it will, get ready for rationing.
"During 2010-2019, however, these effects would be outweighed by the increased costs associated with the expansions of health insurance coverage," wrote Richard S. Foster, Medicare's chief actuary. "Also, the longer-term viability of the Medicare ... reductions is doubtful." Foster's office is responsible for long-range costs estimates.
Republicans said the findings validate their concerns about Obama's 10-year, nearly $1 trillion plan to remake the nation's health care system.

"A trillion dollars gets spent, and it's no surprise — health care costs are going to go up," said Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., a leading Republican on health care issues. Camp added that he's concerned the Medicare cuts will undermine care for seniors. Health care costs will go up because this was NOT true reform.
In a statement, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sought to highlight some positive findings for seniors. For example, the report concluded that Medicare monthly premiums would be lower than otherwise expected, due to the spending reductions. OK, let's say the premiums go down (which I will believe when I see it) because Medicare is spending less. Medicare spends less resulting in 1 of 2 things, more doctors quit or the out of pocket goes up costing these people more than the premium reductions save, or both.
"The Affordable Care Act will improve the health care system for all Americans, and we will continue our work to quickly and carefully implement the new law," the statement said. I don't think so, it has already reduced my FLEX Spending coverage, not exactly an improvement.

Passed by a divided Congress after a year of bitter partisan debate, the law would create new health insurance markets for individuals and small businesses. Starting in 2014, most Americans would be required to carry health insurance except in cases of financial hardship. Tax credits would help many middle-class households pay their premiums, while Medicaid would pick up more low-income people. Insurers would be required to accept all applicants, regardless of their health. The tax credits will just raise the tax rates. The increase in taxes will result in the increased cost of all goods.*
The U.S. spends $2.5 trillion a year on health care, far more per person than any other developed nation, and for results that aren't clearly better when compared to more frugal countries. At the outset of the health care debate last year, Obama held out the hope that by bending the cost curve down, the U.S. could cover all its citizens for about what the nation would spend absent any changes.
The report found that the president's law missed the mark, although not by much. The overhaul will increase national health care spending by $311 billion from 2010-2019, or nine-tenths of 1 percent. To put that in perspective, total health care spending during the decade is estimated to surpass $35 trillion.
Administration officials argue the increase is a bargain price for guaranteeing coverage to 95 percent of Americans. They also point out that the law will decrease the federal deficit by $143 billion over the 10-year period.
The report's most sober assessments concerned Medicare.
In addition to flagging provider cuts as potentially unsustainable, the report projected that reductions in payments to private Medicare Advantage plans would trigger an exodus from the popular alternative. Enrollment would plummet by about 50 percent. Seniors leaving the private plans would still have health insurance under traditional Medicare, but many might face higher out-of-pocket costs. Like I said earlier. Sibelius IS LYING!!!!!
In another flashing yellow light, the report warned that a new voluntary long-term care insurance program created under the law faces "a very serious risk" of insolvency.

Expect the Obama administration & his zombies in the Main Stream Media & elsewhere to continue defending this undefensible socialist attack on our freedom. But the truth IS getting out there. & if we can get people to wake up soon, it may not be too late.

________________
* While more people will not pay federal taxes, what these people don't realize is that they are NOT getting a free ride, they are still paying taxes, they are just hidden. The amount of taxes a business pays affects the price they charge for the goods they produce. The same is true for a retail store. & a Value Added Tax would just make it worse. I wonder how many people would be shouting for the tax rates to be increased for the rich would be doing so if they saw how much of each dollar the spend goes to pay those taxes.

The simplest example is the relationship between the sales tax & gasoline. At $1. a gallon here in Iowa 7 cents of that price is actually the sales tax. It goes up to 14 cents for $2 & 21 cents for $3. & the other fact the fail to mention is that that tax is actually a tax on the other hidden state & federal taxes as well. But don't expect any state government to mandate a detailed listing of how much of each dollar you spend on a product is actually those hidden taxes. Again, when we pay sales tax at the store we are payng a tax on those taxes that raise the price as well.

The fact is everyone pays taxes especially the poor, but because, as I pointed out, they are hidden, the poor don't realize they are NOT getting the free ride they think they are.