Recently I wrote about a letter we received from a doctor over uncertainty about Medicare pay cuts. Once again, for the third time this year, Congress is scrambling to stop these hefty pay cuts that equal 21.3 percent. Once again they will take effect on June 1st unless Congress intervenes. I have linked to my article so you can reference the House Bill (4851). Instead of completely taking care of the problem for Medicare patients, they stop the cuts from taking effect a few days at a time. While Medicare patients like my wife are in danger of losing coverage altogether due to Congressional inaction, Obama is boasting via the mails that Medicare is secure.
Ricardo Alanso-Zaldivar, an Associated Press writer, has indicated in his article, “Uncertainty over Medicare pay sets doctors on edge,” that doctors are getting very nervous about this situation.
At the same time this article is being published Obama keeps advising us Medicare is fine. He does not know what he is talking about or more likely he does and just ignores the truth. It just goes to show the schizoid personality of this administration. On the one hand there is the reality and on the other hand there is the denial. This administration is in denial.
It is very simple. There is a 21.3 percent deficit. The reason there is a deficit is because over the years costs have risen and Medicare payments have not. In an effort to “keep the peace” what the government has done is to go sixty-day periods at a time and cover the deficit. The problem is each time the issue comes up they act late and it seems as if they may not act at all and frankly doctors are getting scared. At the end of March as I wrote in my companion piece, payments started being made at the reduced rate.
According to House Speaker Democrat Nancy Pelosi, we will not have the cut. I don’t trust Pelosi.
The Democrats originally said they would “fix” this deficit. They have not. Doctors are getting scared and are beginning to question not only taking new Medicare patients but dumping existing patients like my wife.
Of course the government could demand that doctors accept Medicare patients. That will not guarantee good treatment.
Medicare is supposed to be the example being held out by the Democratic leadership to show America how effective and safe government is.
As a senior, I am sure I am in trouble.
References:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100527/ap_on_bi_ge/us_medicare_doctor_cuts
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/3011238/can_medicaremedicaid_patients_trust.html?cat=5
