Surprise: Obamacare slashes Medicare home healthcare 14% January 1, 2014

As Nancy Pelosi said, we have to learn what's in it. She thought we would love Obamacare then. The truth is most Americans are coming to hate it. Slashing medical care for seniors isn't popular.

The Administration made this announcement very quietly, waiting to do so until the very end of the last Friday before Thanksgiving, perhaps thinking that most people would not be looking.
To be sure, the timing of the Administration’s quiet announcement did keep it out of sight – for a while.  That ended on December 12^th, however, when the Washington Examiner broke the story in an article headlined “ObamaCare forcing 14 percent cut in Medicare’s home health program.”  FOX News and the Daily Caller have also picked up this story, so full attention is now being paid to this unprecedented cut – and the harm it will do to frail seniors across America.
As the Examiner’s Richard Pollock wrote, “An estimated 3.5 million poor and ill homebound senior citizens will wake up on New Year’s Day to discover ObamaCare has slashed funding for their home health care program.”  He’s right: on January 1^st, the Obama Administration will sharply cut Medicare funding for home healthcare services.

Obama should have checked with his HHS Department before saying, "I will never turn Medicare into a voucher"

Look who's destroying Medicare as we know it today and turning seniors over to the mercy of insurance companies.

In his convention speech in Charlotte, President Obama vowed to block the Republican Medicare reform plan because “no American should ever have to spend their golden years at the mercy of insurance companies.” 

But back in Washington, his Health and Human Services Department is launching a pilot program that would shift up to 2 million of the poorest and most-vulnerable seniors out of the federal Medicare program and into private health insurance plans overseen by the states.

The administration has accepted applications from 18 states to participate in the program, which would give states money to purchase managed-care plans for people who are either disabled or poor enough to qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. HHS approved the first state plan, one for Massachusetts, last month.

Here is the video from Obama's DBC convention speech.

And I will — I will never turn Medicare into a voucher.

No American should ever have to spend their golden years at the mercy of insurance companies. They should retire with the care and the dignity they have earned. Yes, we will reform and strengthen Medicare for the long haul, but we’ll do it by reducing the cost of health care, not by asking seniors to pay thousands of dollars more. And we will keep the promise of Social Security by taking the responsible steps to strengthen it, not by turning it over to Wall Street.

New Romney ad calls out Obama hypocrisy for attacking McCain proposal to cut Medicare

This is going to leave a mark...

"It Ain't Right"

In 2008, Candidate Obama attacked John McCain for proposing cuts to Medicare. As president, Barack Obama cut Medicare by $716 billion to pay for Obamacare. Take it from Candidate Obama, "It ain't right."

New poll dashes Obama's hope to use Mediscare as a wedge issue against Romney-Ryan

Seniors seem to prefer Romney-Ryan to Obama on Medicare.

Via Hot Air:

An important addendum to Ed’s CBS/NYT number-crunch from lefty Greg Sargent:

The breakdown sent over by CBS:
* In Florida, 48 percent of seniors say Romney would do a better job on Medicare, versus 44 percent who say that about Obama (the Ryan pick was supposed to be particularly problematic in this state).
* In Ohio, 49 percent of seniors say Romney would do a better job on Medicare, versus 43 percent who say that about Obama.
* In Wisconsin, 49 percent say Obama would do a better job on Medicare, versus 46 percent who say that about Romney. Close.
What’s striking is that the poll also finds very big majorities of seniors in all three states support leaving Medicare as it is, while small minorities support changing it so government provides fixed amounts to spend on insurance.

Ohio Grandma to Paul Ryan: "Good luck! Kick ass!"

Ohio seniors voiced confidence in Paul Ryan and his determination to save Medicare. On the other hand, Michelle Obama's head may explode when see sees what Ryan had for lunch.

Via The Weekly Standard:

Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan stopped by the Original Hot Dog Shoppe here this afternoon to chat with voters and grab some lunch. The Wisconsin congressman and fitness nut chowed down on two hot dogs with onion, extra kraut and mustard, a side of small chili-cheese fries, and an unsweetened iced tea. The total bill came to $8.78, including a chili-cheese dog Ryan purchased for a reporter celebrating his twenty-seventh birthday.

"Hey Paul!" yelled an elderly woman while Ryan was placing his order with the cashier. "Good luck! Kick ass!"

The well-wisher, Erma from Howland, Ohio, told me later that she's not worried that Ryan and Romney would end Medicare. "I don't believe it," she said. "Because Obama has a bigger plan to rob Medicare of $617 billion."[...]

"He's going to save Medicare," chimed in Eleanor's friend Karen Combs from Cortland, Ohio. 

Romney-Ryan hit Obama over Medicare in New ad: Paid In

Taking the offense...

Wolf Blitzer Schools Wasserman Schultz Over Her Claim Ryan Plan Would Affect Medicare For Current Seniors

Debbie Wasserman-Schultz makes a complete fool put of herself. She keeps claiming the Ryan budget would cost current seniors more money and tells Blitzer she will explain how, but she never does. Downer Debbie is mentally challenged or something.

GAO: Obama administration deliberately delayed Medicare cuts until after 2012 election

Voter manipulation is part of the Chicago way...

Via WFB:

A recent report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has laid bare the Obama administration’s effort to delay the impact of Medicare cuts in the health care law until after the 2012 election.

Under the new law, cuts to Medicare Advantage funding would force many seniors off their preferred health plans. This aspect of the law was originally intended to go into effect before the election in November, but fearing the political backlash, the administration launched an $8.35 billion “demonstration project” that would effectively delay the cuts until after the election.

The GAO report urged the administration to cancel the project, citing its numerous “design shortcomings” and noting that the program fails to “conform to the principles of budget neutrality,” meaning the $8.35 billion is not offset by spending cuts or other revenue, and will have to be borrowed.

Keep on reading…

DCCC Chairman Rep. Steve Israel claims election will be about Medicare and Democrats are in a "much better place than anyone thought we would be”

Democrats cut $500 billion from Medicare as part of Obamacare. I don't think Republicans are going to let voters forget that fact.

(The Hill) — The Democratic representative charged with taking back the House says the election will be about one issue — Medicare — and his party “is in a much better place than anyone thought we would be” to put Nancy Pelosi back in the speaker’s chair.

“This is going to be razor sharp,” Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) said on C-Span’s Newsmakers, airing on Sunday. “We are ahead in the generic polls. . . it is a good indicator and right now we are up in every single generic ballot.” [...]
“We are in a much better place than anyone thought we would be,” he added. “Ads against Nancy Pelosi are irrelevant when you have to stand up in town meetings and explain why you voted to end Medicare in order to give tax breaks to big oil companies.”

Israel noted that the minority Democrats have so far out-raised the GOP but said the growth of GOP Super PACs “keeps me up at night.”

Keep on reading…

Obama administration gives up effort to curb Medicare fraud

Hey, it's only taxpayer money.

(Cato)- In a word, government is stupid.

As if to prove the point, the Obama administration—despite its rhetoric about getting tough on fraud—is behaving pretty much as I predicted. In mid-November, the administration announced two anti-fraud efforts, one to prevent fraudulent claims for power wheelchairs and scooters, and another to eliminate “pay and chase” for some Medicare claims in some states. Not two months later, under “heavy provider opposition,” Medicare has delayed these demonstrations “until further notice.”

If you’re interested to see how this all turns out, follow @CMS.gov on Twitter and keep an eye out for #pmd_demonstration (the wheelchairs and scooters demonstration project; there’s no hashtag for the project to curb “pay and chase”).

Hypocrisy: AARP Now Worried About Cuts to Medicare

Where were these hypocrites when President Obama and Democrats cut $500 billion from Medicare? Oh, they supported that plan.

AARP:

Right now, President Obama and Congress are considering a deal to pay the nation’s bills that could cut the Social Security and Medicare benefits seniors have earned through a lifetime of hard work.

Pelosi Flip-Flops In Three Hours on Medicare

From Pelosi's "The Gavel" blog:

GOP Plan to Abolish Medicare is Off the Table

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Karina

In a pathetic attempt to deflect outrage about their efforts to abolish Medicare, Republicans are grasping at straws. Leader Pelosi strongly opposes benefit cuts and the Republican plan–as she stated during the House floor debate of the Republican budget:

Medicare is a core value of our social compact with the American people, yet this budget shreds that contract, which is part of the strength of our country. The Republican proposal breaks the promise that our country has made to our seniors, that after a lifetime of work they will be able to depend on Medicare to protect them in retirement. This plan, the Republican plan, ends Medicare as we know it and dramatically reduces benefits for seniors. It forces them to pay more, to buy their insurance from the health insurance companies, where the average senior would be forced to pay twice as much for half of the benefits.

A few hours later:

“Yes. I think Medicare is on the table. I think Social Security is probably on its own table.”

Medicare Rationing Begins

The manifest error of Obamacare unintended consequences continue. Rationing is being implemented by market forces.

From The Washington Post:

Want an appointment with kidney specialist Adam Weinstein of Easton, Md.? If you’re a senior covered by Medicare, the wait is eight weeks.

How about a checkup from geriatric specialist Michael Trahos? Expect to see him every six months: The Alexandria-based doctor has been limiting most of his Medicare patients to twice yearly rather than the quarterly checkups he considers ideal for the elderly. Still, at least he’ll see you. Top-ranked primary care doctor Linda Yau is one of three physicians with the District’s Foxhall Internists group who recently announced they will no longer be accepting Medicare patients.

“It’s not easy. But you realize you either do this or you don’t stay in business,” she said.

Obama Administration Cuts Medicare Treatment For Prostrate Cancer Patients

Prostrate cancer victims look like they will be the first group thrown under the "Death Panel" bus. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) may not cover FDA approved prostrate cancer drug Provenge.

The CMS statute states that Medicare must cover therapies that are reasonable and necessary, while the FDA is instructed to approve drugs that are safe and effective. Because of the conflicting Federal coverage and approval requirements, there are some non-FDA approved drugs (called off-label drugs) that are paid for by CMS. However, with respect to Provenge, it appears that CMS is arguing that while the treatment is safe and effective, it may not be reasonable and necessary. For the first time, an FDA approved anti-cancer therapy may not be covered by Medicare.

Perhaps, the Obama administration doesn't know African-American men have twice the prostrate cancer risk of white men. Who will be next to have their health care rationed?

Harry Reid Writes Letter Complaining About Obamacare

Nancy Pelosi said they would have to pass the bill so people could learn what is in it. Harry Reid has learned something he doesn't like. Medicare payments to hospitals will be going down.

John Graham has made this informative and amusing video that includes Harry Reid's letter.


Harry Reid missed his chance to fix this monstrosity. It's time for him to retire.

Obama's Medicare Head Nominee Favors British Rationing

No surprise here.

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- President Barack Obama has appointed another nominee for an influential government position who will upset pro-life advocates. But, this time, the nominee poses concerns not on abortion but on end-of-life issues like euthanasia, and rationing of health care.

Obama selected Dr. Donald Berwick to become the director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the office that oversees government health care programs.

Berwick is an outspoken admirer of the British National Health Service and its rationing arm...

Actuaries for Medicare and Medicaid: 14 million will lose employer-based health care coverage

Government actuaries for Medicare and Medicaid have released a bombshell report confirming almost everything Republicans said about the downside of passing Obamacre health care reform. 14 million Americans will lose employer-based health care coverage. The health care cost curve will be bent up, not down, $389 billion 10 years. 18 million Americans will be forced into Medicaid and 15% of all Medicare providing doctors will become unprofitable as a result of Obamacare's payment reductions. A separate report this week from the CBO found 4 million Americans will pay $1000 in penalties annually. Obamacare is a disaster of biblical proportions to the American health care system.

Government Releases New Numbers on Obamacare Showing Costs Will Skyrocket (video)


Hat tip Gateway Pundit.

Another Mayo Clinic Quits Taking Medicare

Isn't one of the ways to expand coverage in the democrat's health reform bills to expand Medicare and Medicaid? If you are on Medicare, don't plan on getting the best medical care in the country.

Bloomberg reported:

Senator Nelson Exempts Palm Beach, Dade, and Broward counties From Medicare Advantage Benefits Cuts

There is language in Harry Reids's Senate health care bill to exempts Palm Beach, Dade, and Broward counties from Medicare Advantage benefits cuts. This is thought to be a pay-off for Florida Democratic Senator Bill Nelson. Many pundits wondered how Nelson could justify supporting a health care reform bill that cuts Medicare by $500 billion when his home state has so many seniors. Now, we know. He is having the heart of his base exempted from the worst of the cuts. This should be criminal.

Flashback: Obama's Campaign Accused McCain Of Wanting To Gut Medicare And Undercut Employer Health Care

In October of 2008, Senator Obama's campaign accused Senator John McCain of planning to gut Medicare.

ASHEVILLE, North Carolina (AFP) — Barack Obama's White House campaign Monday accused John McCain of plotting to impose savage cuts on government-run health care programs that insure the elderly and the poor.

Obama's campaign also accused Senator McCain of planning to undercut the employer-based health care system.

"This also is a plan which would undercut substantially the fundamental employer-based health care system on which most Americans rely today," he said.

Democrats are now implementing the same objectives they criticized Senator John McCain for in 2008. Every Democrat in the Senate voted to advance Harry Reid's health care reform bill. This bill includes over $500 billion in Medicare cuts and a public-option which many believe will lead to the end of private employer insurance.