Plan cuts $320 billion from Medicare and Medicaid, by changing how the government pays providers, slashing payments to drug companies, and changing the way it splits the Medicaid costs with the states.
Lately you’d think President Obama was threatening to push Granny off the cliff. But most of the outrage assumes — incorrectly — that any cuts would necessarily be aimed directly at Medicare patients. History suggests otherwise.
President Obama said he is “willing to look at” a number of ways to reduce health care spending, including provider cuts and changing the eligibility age for Medicare. But he dismissed the Republican approach, saying “it’s not necessary to completely revamp” Medicare to deal with the deficit and the debt ceiling.
“[It] is possible for us to construct a package that would be balanced, would share sacrifice, would involve both parties taking on their sacred cows, would involve some meaningful changes to Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid, that would preserve the integrity of the programs and keep our sacred trust with our seniors . . .
The reaction to Obama’s remarks fell along partisan lines. Here are eight takes–pro and con–on the Presidents address.
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Marilyn Werber Serafini talk with Jackie Judd about President Obama’s Wednesday speech outlining his details for reducing the deficit and hitting back at a Republican deficit plan. In it, Obama laid out his plans for preserving Medicare while cutting spending. Full video of President Obama’s address.
“Beginning in 2017, if you can come up with a better system for your state to provide coverage of the same quality and affordability as the Affordable Care Act, you can take that route instead,” Obama told the governors.
President Barack Obama today defended the 2009 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act pointing to nthe benefits the law has already delivered. At the same time, he said he would be willing to amend the legislation to address some concerns. But, he added, “The time for fighting the battles of the last two years has now passed. It’s time to move forward.”
The number of people who will be helped by some of the law’s key provisions taking effect in September may also be lower than some might expect.
“. . . while it will take some time to fully implement this law, reform is already delivering real benefits to millions of Americans.” — President Barack Obama.
Obama video points out the immediate benefits of the new law; McConnell calls for repeal.
Obama challenged Republicans to run on the promise to repeal the new legislation. “Go for it,” he said.
LocalHealthGuide is a health news and information web service for Seattle and the Puget Sound Region. We are independent and unaffiliated with any hospital, medical association or insurer. If you have questions or if your group has an upcoming event that you would like us to cover, please let us know by going to our "Contact Us" page and dropping us a note. -- Michael McCarthy, Editor
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Seattle Times Health News
Experts divided over recommendation to screen children for cholesterol
Some clinicians say universal screening is an important tool to help identify children who are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol and to pinpoint others who could benefit from treatment. Others express concerns that screening may do more harm than good.
People in state high-risk insurance plans often feel left behind
The federal health law set up new plans that are cheaper and more comprehensive than the older ones run by states but consumers need to go without insurance for six months to qualify.
Peeking in on your doctor’s notes
Although federal law guarantees patients the right to examine and get copies of their medical records, providers haven’t always made it easy to do so. But the movement to give patients direct access to their health information has picked up steam, and policymakers have encouraged it as a way to empower patients to help manage their health and their medical care.
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