High Cost Of Care (IBD Exclusive Series: Government-Run Healthcare: A Prescription For Failure)

IBD Editorials ^ | September 15, 2009

[Kaslin]

Medicare: As Democrats try to remake the health care system in the face of bitter opposition, the federal public option for the elderly is preparing to cut benefits. This should be part of the debate, but of course it's not.

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Supporters of the health care revision tell us that its $1 trillion price tag won't add a dime to the national deficits. But the reality is, any program that expands Washington's reach into health care will cost far more than the rosy projections we're hearing. History shows that the bureaucracy always spends far more on programs than the Beltway experts say it will.

One program that has spun wildly out of control is Medicare, enshrined as an entitlement in 1965. Actuaries projected its cost for 1990 at $10 billion. Yet actual outlays were $107 billion. Now the program is spending more than it is taking in through the payroll tax that funds it, leaving Washington with only two options: ration Medicare or raise taxes.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that brilliant minds in Washington will figure out a way to avoid rationing before it becomes necessary. Those heads are busy looking for places to slash now. Medicare, for instance, is considering cutting $1.4 billion in benefits beginning on Jan. 1, 2010. If the new schedule is adopted, the reductions will be in fees paid to cardiologists and oncologists.

At the same time that fees for heart and cancer physicians will be trimmed by 10%, fees paid to family doctors will be boosted by 8% and reimbursements paid to nurses will rise 7%. The administration believes that moving the fees toward primary care will be a boost for preventive care.

There are two points to take away from this mostly ignored news.

[Kaslin]

[givemELL]

Was not the Massachusetts Healthcare reform projected at $125 million when it was voted in 4? years ago, and, now the budget is just below $1 billion? Obama care will have NO lid on it as there has been no lid on what has been dumped on taxpayers with bank bailouts in the trillions. Does not the average govt. program never die and end up, CONSERVATIVELY, costing 3 to 5 times more?

Taxpayers, everything now is in the trillions...are you ready? Tax sandwiches and maybe longer hours coming. For the 40% that work, you have a patriotic duty to perform for the ringmaster.

[fortunecookie]

The IBD is usually spot on. Can I get on that ping list?

[Kaslin]

I am happy to add you. :)

[fortunecookie]

Thanks! ;-)

[tbw2]

Given the horrific treatment of Veterans in the VA, Indians in the Indian health-care system (and how many tribes begged for casinos so they could hire their own doctors), and kids dying of abcesses and other lack of care in Medicaid, these three programs alone prove that government healthcare is NOT the cure. ObamaCare Jokes Obama Jokes

[socialismisinsidious]

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