HELP bill would add to federal burden: CBO

Modern Health Care ^ | July 8, 2009 | Jennifer Lubell

[Lorianne]

Sen. Edward Kennedy's Affordable Health Choices Act “would add to the long-term burden of spending to the federal government,” a chief actuary told members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Douglas Elmendorf, director of the Congressional Budget Office, fielded questions from committee members following the release of new CBO estimates, which found that expanding Medicaid coverage to include Americans with incomes below 150% of the poverty line under the Massachusetts Democrat's bill would add another $500 billion in Medicaid liabilities between 2009 and 2019.

The bill's provision to establish a health insurance gateway, however, would serve to enhance competition among private insurers and have a beneficial effect on costs, Elmendorf said.

GOP lawmakers on the panel say the new figures would bring the total cost of Kennedy's legislation to nearly $2 trillion over the first 10 years. Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), chairing the panel in Kennedy's absence, told reporters the latest CBO figures weren't relevant to HELP's bill, as his panel “does not have jurisdiction over Medicaid.” While the HELP bill envisions that Medicaid would be used to cover individuals below 150% of the poverty level, there are no specific provisions in the bill to accomplish that goal, according to the latest CBO analysis.

[nmh]

My God!

Multiply this by the remaining states - while we are on a free fall spending spree - and watch our country be reduced to a Zimbabwe.

This is FRIGHTENING!