Obamacare’s Medicare cuts start January 1st

Washington Examiner ^ | August 14, 2012 | Conn Carroll

[Qbert]

It was brutal. On CNN yesterday, Wolf Blitzer kept browbeating Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz until she would admitted that Paul Ryan’s plan preserves Medicare for those currently aged 55 years and older with no changes. Chuck Todd did the same thing to Roberts Gibbs on MSNBC after Gibbs falsely claimed the Ryan plan would kill his father. “Your father is not going to get that because they’re not going to do anything to him,” Todd correctly pointed out.

Todd and Blitzer are 100 percent correct. The Ryan budget only preserves and strengthens Medicare for those Americans that are currently receiving benefits and those that will begin to do so in the next 10 years. Only those who are 55 years or younger will be affected by the Ryan plan. And for those Americans, they will still be given a choice between the current Medicare system, and a new premium support system. In fact, Obamacare and the Ryan plan both budget the same amount of money for Medicare down the road. Both plans cap spending at the growth of domestic product +.5 percent.

[Snip]

And those health care provider cuts are not that far off under Obamacare. They start this coming January, when Medicare payments to doctors are set to be slashed by 31 percent. That’s right, by 31 percent. If you don’t think current Medicare beneficiaries are going to have trouble finding a doctor who will see them after the government starts paying those doctors 31 percent less, you probably failed Econ 101.

When Obamacare was first drafted, it did not cut Medicare spending so quickly. But to keep the final Obamacare price tag under $1 trillion, it allowed the scheduled cuts to occur. By contrast, Ryan’s Fiscal Year 2012 budget fully paid for doctor Medicare reimbursement payments.

[Qbert]

"They start this coming January, when Medicare payments to doctors are set to be slashed by 31 percent. That’s right, by 31 percent. If you don’t think current Medicare beneficiaries are going to have trouble finding a doctor who will see them after the government starts paying those doctors 31 percent less, you probably failed Econ 101."...

[cableguymn]

Wolf Blitzer kept browbeating Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz until she would admitted that Paul Ryan’s plan preserves Medicare for those currently aged 55 years and older with no changes

---

This happened on CNN? Are you sure?

[grobdriver]

If you don’t think current Medicare beneficiaries are going to have trouble finding a doctor who will see them after the government starts paying those doctors 31 percent less, you probably failed Econ 101.

Oh, come now.
I'm sure there are plenty of leftist doctors out there who will understand that it's their patriotic duty to give back and absorb the decrease.

Hell, it's every Democrat doctor's duty to volunteer to provide pro bono services to those poor wretches who are stuck on their couches and just cannot seems to find work at a "living wage" ($100,000 or more).

Those self-same doctor ought to be writing checks to these poor people as well as providing their services at no cost.
And send them home with a full gas tank, their cell phone time topped off and a back seat full of groceries.

Just ask Obama - it's their patriotic duty!

[Coldwater Creek]

Well, thank God that I have Pulmonary Fibrosis and won’t need a doctor much longer. Always a sliver lining........

[SMARTY]

Ha!!

You forgot, the free movie passes so patients can stop off at the theater on the way home.

[cubreporter]

Hey, don’t talk like that. You are one of God’s creations and we want you around for as long as possible. Not to worry about this obamacare nonsense...I have more faith in God than I do have worry about this assinine idea.

You take care, fight for every moment so that you can rejoice in the day President Romeney REPEALS this bill, law or nonsense... whatever one wants to call it...

Good luck to you and I will be praying for you as well.

[Coldwater Creek]

Thanks!

[Howie]

[Orange1998]

Just looked up PF since I did not know what it was. I pray you have many more “good” years to live. God Bless.

[Orange1998]

Do you really think Romney will appeal Obamacare. Romney believed in a similar plan when Governor. Getting rid of Obamacare will be like taking away Social Sec or Medicare. Once people get entitlements its almost impossible to repeal.

Obamacare has ONLY one good thing and its the Pre-existing illness exemption. Today, insurance companies will flat out deny insurance coverage for pre-existing no matter how much you are willing to pay. Living a healthy life does not assure good health.

[IWONDR]

“Well, thank God that I have Pulmonary Fibrosis and won’t need a doctor much longer.”

so sorry to hear of your condition. May God’s hand be on your shoulder as you deal with this horrible disease. lost a good friend from this affliction.

[MarkL]

I’m sorry to hear that. May The Lord heal you, bless you, and keep you.

Mark

[TropicanaRose]

Anyone know when Medicare Advantage gets the ax? My mom loves her TexanPlus.

[Coldwater Creek]

Thanks!

[Coldwater Creek]

I’m 9 years into a 3 1/2 years average. Not too bad.

[Coldwater Creek]

Thanks!

[Orange1998]

That is good news. Take one day at a time. You must be doing something right for making 3 times the average and still going. Nice meeting you and wish you the best. God Bless!