Reply #200: Medicare was already gutted [View All]

[Yo_Mama]

In health care reform, so I think people should watch this carefully.

This CS Monitor article still remains the best short summary of Medicare changes I've seen:
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2010/0322/Health-care-reform-bill-101-What-does-it-mean-for-seniors

The bottom line is that beginning in 2011, Medicare Advantage plans start being cut. In 2014 the board has to submit cuts to the overall Medicare program if the inflation in total costs exceeds the five year CPI increase. And it will, because of course many more individuals will be going on Medicare as the baby boomers age.

So you can anticipate massive cuts in Medicare coverages by 2020. They can't cut hospital payments for services more without putting hospitals out of business.

If the Republicans had done this, Democrats would be raising hell, but this change was really backed by the Democrats. Republicans didn't even vote for it, although I think a lot of them are for this part.