Friday § November 27, 2009
Pro-Reform Advocacy Group Mildly ‘Liberal’ with Recent Ad
Amid all the media penchant for Black Friday news today, it isn’t hard to understand how any other news can essentially fly under the radar … er … shopping cart. Take this nugget, for instance: an audit of a pro-health reform advocacy group[1] shows that the group’s recent ad says reform legislation would stop premiums from increasing, and also states that Medicare’s solvency would be enhanced. Additionally, the ad says that health overhaul legislation would stop premiums from increasing.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ5k8yIo48A[/youtube]
Obviously, a review of the recently passed House bill and the Senate versions do not contain such a provision. How could premiums not increase over time with inflation? As far as the Medicare entitlement issue is concerned, recent decisions by the legislature not to address pending cuts in provider reimbursements will probably have a profound effect on participation over the next decade by provider groups, threatening patient access. Finally, Medicare Advantage plans (even with Republicans’ attempts at preserving their fee negotiation schedules to providers and premiums charged to beneficiaries) will no doubt see some change to their formulas in ways which will affect bottom lines — after all, any meaningful reform will have to be financed.
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I think that seniors have more to fear from pending health care reform than most other players in the game.. Of course, their premiums are going to rise, which is political dynamite with this powerful consituency. I recall that when Bill Clinton was president and proposed a minimal premium increase for catastrophic coverage, he quickly retreated when he faced a volcanic response from the elderly. Moreover, Medicare patients may not be able to have unlimited access to every available medical benefit, as they now enjoy. We don’t have enough money to fund everyone’s wish list, or even to maintain the status quo. It’s going to be interesting, but it won’t be pretty. http://www.MDWhistleblower.blogspot.com