Thursday, December 03, 2009

Warning Label for Pelosicare | Michael F. Cannon | Cato Institute: Commentary

Warning Label for Pelosicare | Michael F. Cannon | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Millions who are satisfied with their current, low-cost health plans would have to switch to more expensive plans, solely because Congress decided they weren't buying enough coverage.

The legislation would increase premiums even further over time, as drug companies, chiropractors, acupuncturists, fertility specialists and other special interests lobby Congress to force you to purchase coverage for their services too."

"Medicare — by far the largest purchaser of medical services in the world — actually penalizes doctors and hospitals that reduce medical errors. The House bill would cement those deficiencies in place with yet another massive government program, and create new quality problems, like insurers skimping on care and customer service for the sickest patients."

"The bill purports to cut Medicare spending, but those cuts are not likely to happen. Want proof? At the same time House Democrats promise future spending cuts, they are gutting $210 billion of spending cuts promised by past Congresses.

And like most government health care programs, this bill's actual costs will exceed current projections. In 1967, Congress predicted that Medicare would cost $12 billion in 1990. Medicare's actual cost that year was $110 billion. Oops."

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