Report says health care will cover more, cost more

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law is getting a mixed verdict in the first comprehensive look by neutral experts: More Americans will be covered, but costs are also going up.

Economic experts at the Health and Human Services Department concluded in a report issued Thursday that the health care remake will achieve Obama's aim of expanding health insurance — adding 34 million to the coverage rolls.

But the analysis also found that the law falls short of the president's twin goal of controlling runaway costs, raising projected spending by about 1 percent over 10 years. That increase could get bigger, since Medicare cuts in the law may be unrealistic and unsustainable, the report warned.

It's a worrisome assessment for Democrats.

In particular, concerns about Medicare could become a major political liability in the midterm elections. The report projected that Medicare cuts could drive about 15 percent of hospitals and other institutional providers into the red, "possibly jeopardizing access" to care for seniors.

The report from Medicare's Office of the Actuary carried a disclaimer saying it does not represent the official position of the Obama administration. White House officials have repeatedly complained that such analyses have been too pessimistic and lowball the law's potential to achieve savings.

The report acknowledged that some of the cost-control measures in the bill — Medicare cuts, a tax on high-cost insurance and a commission to seek ongoing Medicare savings — could help reduce the rate of cost increases beyond 2020. But it held out little hope for progress in the first decade.

"During 2010-2019, however, these effects would be outweighed by the increased costs associated with the expansions of health insurance coverage," wrote Richard S. Foster, Medicare's chief actuary. "Also, the longer-term viability of the Medicare ... reductions is doubtful." Foster's office is responsible for long-range costs estimates.

Republicans said the findings validate their concerns about Obama's 10-year, nearly $1 trillion plan to remake the nation's health care system.

"A trillion dollars gets spent, and it's no surprise — health care costs are going to go up," said Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., a leading Republican on health care issues. Camp added that he's concerned the Medicare cuts will undermine care for seniors.

In a statement, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sought to highlight some positive findings for seniors. For example, the report concluded that Medicare monthly premiums would be lower than otherwise expected, due to the spending reductions.

"The Affordable Care Act will improve the health care system for all Americans, and we will continue our work to quickly and carefully implement the new law," the statement said.

Passed by a divided Congress after a year of bitter partisan debate, the law would create new health insurance markets for individuals and small businesses. Starting in 2014, most Americans would be required to carry health insurance except in cases of financial hardship. Tax credits would help many middle-class households pay their premiums, while Medicaid would pick up more low-income people. Insurers would be required to accept all applicants, regardless of their health.

The U.S. spends $2.5 trillion a year on health care, far more per person than any other developed nation, and for results that aren't clearly better when compared to more frugal countries. At the outset of the health care debate last year, Obama held out the hope that by bending the cost curve down, the U.S. could cover all its citizens for about what the nation would spend absent any changes.

The report found that the president's law missed the mark, although not by much. The overhaul will increase national health care spending by $311 billion from 2010-2019, or nine-tenths of 1 percent. To put that in perspective, total health care spending during the decade is estimated to surpass $35 trillion.

Administration officials argue the increase is a bargain price for guaranteeing coverage to 95 percent of Americans. They also point out that the law will decrease the federal deficit by $143 billion over the 10-year period.

The report's most sober assessments concerned Medicare.

In addition to flagging provider cuts as potentially unsustainable, the report projected that reductions in payments to private Medicare Advantage plans would trigger an exodus from the popular alternative. Enrollment would plummet by about 50 percent. Seniors leaving the private plans would still have health insurance under traditional Medicare, but many might face higher out-of-pocket costs.

In another flashing yellow light, the report warned that a new voluntary long-term care insurance program created under the law faces "a very serious risk" of insolvency.

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[luckytxn 2,264]

Well duh. Morons actually bought the idiocy that spending a trillion dollars that we would not have otherwise was savings.

[Ali G. 37]

Well duh. Morons actually bought the idiocy that spending a trillion dollars that we would not have otherwise was savings.

Actually Texan, can you explain why every over first world country spends as low as 1/3 of what we do yet delivers the goods?

Then again you guys do have the the largest percentage of uninsured in the union, so getting advice on health care from you guys is silly.

Edited April 24, 2010 by Ali G.

[Ali G. 37]

I am sure someone of your caliber Texan can interpret this.

Edited April 24, 2010 by Ali G.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Actually Texan, can you explain why every over first world country spends as low as 1/3 of what we do yet delivers the goods?

Then again you guys do have the the largest percentage of uninsured in the union, so getting advice on health care from you guys is silly.

What do you mean we?

[Ali G. 37]

What do you mean we?

This is the US. The thread is discussing the US. I currently live and use the health care system in the US. Thus we = US system

[spookyturtle 9,465]

This is the US. The thread is discussing the US. I currently live and use the health care system in the US. Thus we = US system

You must have a mouse in your pocket.You'll never be one of us no matter what your pretty certificate says.

[Ali G. 37]

You must have a mouse in your pocket.You'll never be one of us no matter what your pretty certificate says.

Where you a high school dropout or something? The sentence you are referring to is not in context of we equating to us.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Where you a high school dropout or something? The sentence you are referring to is not in context of we equating to us.

This is the internet, I can be anything I want to be. I'm better than you.

[Ali G. 37]

This is the internet, I can be anything I want to be. I'm better than you.

Dude, I know you have issues but at least to not prove me right.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Dude, I know you have issues but at least to not prove me right.

It's true because I said it. Prove me wrong.

[Ali G. 37]

It's true because I said it. Prove me wrong.

Spook [failed] logic 101

View on Cars

American cars are the best because this article says Toyota has had a recall. True story.

View of research or international study.

Bullcrap! Who cares if research states people in XYZ have the highest quality of life. People in the ghettos are happy so F-- You dumbazz

Opinion of others views

Go back to your country. America hater

Edited April 24, 2010 by Ali G.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Spook [failed] logic 101

View on Cars

American cars are the best because this article says Toyota has had a recall. True story.

View of research or international study.

Bullcrap! Who cares if research states people in XYZ have the highest quality of life. People in the ghettos are happy so F-- You dumbazz

Opinion of others views

Go back to your country. America hater

Highest quality of life is subjective, and your pea brain can't understand that simple concept. You're a Toyota lover, fine. I don't sh it where I eat. You obviously were never taught that. Thank god you can't have kids. It would be a tragedy.

[Ali G. 37]

Highest quality of life is subjective, and your pea brain can't understand that simple concept. You're a Toyota lover, fine. I don't sh it where I eat. You obviously were never taught that. Thank god you can't have kids. It would be a tragedy.

Riight, so peer-reviewed international research specifically ranking quality of life is wrong but you know better.

No, I like whoever builds the better car. I don't treat cars like sporting teams.

When did you start feeding me?

Now I "can't have kids". Dude, that's not even worth responding to. It's quite clear you pull sh-t out of your azz. The glance of your last 100 posts clearly illustrates that you are simply here to talk ######; which actually negates your apparent uber happy life. No one apparently that happy would waste their time coming on here for the sole reason of talking about dicks or being obsessed with a poster.

Ownage is done, back to ignore for you.

Edited April 24, 2010 by Ali G.