In recent weeks, liberal politicians, editorialists, and policy analysts have vigorously attacked reform of Medicare based on a defined contribution financing. In fact, this approach to reforming Medicare has a long bipartisan tradition going back to the 1980s and Representatives Richard Gephardt (D–MO) and David Stockman (R–MI). In fact, much of this criticism is distorted, misleading, or just plain wrong.
Here are some articles that set the record straight:
Kaiser Study on Medicare Assumes Seniors Don’t Like Lower Prices (Drew Gonshorowski)
The Heritage Foundation, 10/16/12
“The Kaiser study assumes that an entire class of Americans—senior citizens—is insensitive to price. In reality, seniors are price sensitive when they are presented with options. Already, 90 percent of retirees can and do choose the private health plans they like, ranging from supplemental insurance to Medicare Advantage and Medicare drug plans.”
Presidential Debate Prep: Understanding Obamacare’s $716 Billion in Cuts to Medicare (Bob Moffit and Alyene Senger)
The Heritage Foundation, 10/16/12
“As the Medicare debate intensifies, there still seems to be popular confusion regarding the $716 billion in ‘savings’ from Obamacare’s Medicare payment cuts. Let us end the confusion.”
The Problem with Kaiser’s Premium Support Study? Seniors Are Smarter Than That—and So Are Health Plans (Joe Antos)
AmericanEnterpriseInstitute, 10/15/12
“The Kaiser report emphasizes a worst-case scenario. To reach their conclusion, the authors assume that no beneficiary would change health plans even if a less expensive option would save them hundreds of dollars a month.”
Kaiser’s Faux ‘Study’ of Premium Support (James Capretta)
National Review Online, 10/15/12
“It’s a pattern of course. At critical moments in the campaign, a reliably liberal research organization releases a faux ‘study’ that is quickly picked up by the Obama campaign and turned into negative attack ads.”
Manhattan Moment: Obama and Biden Will Turn Medicare into Medicaid (Paul Howard)
The Washington Examiner, 10/14/12
“[I]mposing Medicaid price controls on Medicare would harm the most vulnerable and sickest seniors today and in the future. Worse yet, it would irreparably damage a program—Part D—that is working to offer seniors high quality drug coverage at an affordable cost.
Turning Medicare into Medicaid is clearly their plan. But what are they really trying to accomplish?”
To read last week’s Medicare Roundup, click here.
