Not suprisingly, and as I have predicted in the past, things have come to a screeching halt in the Senate. The House was predictable, and passed HR3962, which the CBO scored favorably, at least at first.
The problem was, that they also passed HR3961, which basically eliminates the SGR, and calls for a moratorium on Medicare cuts until 2019. The CBO, when evaluating the two bills together, found that it would INCREASE federal deficit spending by 84 billion over the next ten years. Which really isn't bad, but to paraphrase an old saying, "Don't lie to my face, when your screwing my ass!" In other words, be honest.
NOW, the gears have slowed, and the senate is crawling to a stop. Because of several individuals, (cough) BLUE DOGS (cough), as well as Senator Lieberman (cough) TURNCOAT (cough)....the idea of a robust, real public option is likely dead. So, there is now a proposal to extend Medicare coverage.
This is problematic on so many levels as to be comical. Medicare isn't even accepted by many physicians secondary to a dismal reimbursement structure. It is not financially solvent over the long term, and will likely be bankrupt before the next decade is over. This a dog...
Actually, it's worse, it's a dog with fleas.
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