CBO Chief Criticizes Democrats' Health Reform Measures

[Earth Bound Misfit]

Source: Wa Po

Instead of saving the federal government from fiscal catastrophe, the health reform measures being drafted by congressional Democrats would worsen an already bleak budget outlook, increasing deficit projections and driving the nation more deeply into debt, the director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said this morning.

Under questioning by members of the Senate Budget Committee, CBO director Douglas Elmendorf said bills crafted by House leaders and the Senate health committee do not propose "the sort of fundamental changes that would be necessary to reduce the trajectory of federal health spending by a signficant amount."

"On the contrary," Elmendorf said, "the legislation significantly expands the federal responsibility for health care costs."

Though President Obama and Democratic leaders have said repeatedly that reining in the skyrocketing growth in spending on giovernment health programs such as Medicaid and Medicare is their top priority, the reform measures put forth so far would not fulfill their pledge to "bend the cost curve" downward, Elmendorf said. Instead, he said, "The curve is being raised."

The CBO is the official arbiter of the costs of legislation, and Elmendorf's stark testimony is certain to undermine support for the measures even as three House panels begin debate and aim to put a bill on the House floor before the August recess. Fiscal conservatives in the House, known as the Blue Dogs, were already threatening to block passage of legislation in the Energy and Commerce Committee, primarily due to concerns about the long-term costs of the House bill

More at link.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/16/AR2009071602242.html

[Stand and Fight]

1. Baucus has got some nerve on him...

:wtf:

"Basically the president is not helping," said Baucus. "He does not want the exclusion, and that's making it difficult."

[jwirr]

2. Soooooooooo..... where does this leave us? We are saying it would

make it cheaper.

[katandmoon]

3. Just call it a war instead of health reform. Then the cost will be absolutely irrelevant.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

4. That's BRILLIANT!

Seriesly...Gonna e-mail the White House!

[MessiahRp]

5. Now I want a CBO report on Single Payer

I have a feeling that when you eliminate HMOs and give Government control over the costs that there would be a stark difference in how financially we can deal with this.

Rp

[dpbrown]

8. Second that - score the HR 676 and find out how much Single-Payer would save

Let's cut to the chase on this one.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

9. + 2...Wouldn't hold my breath though

Yes, at least let's see if single payer would cost less.

[MarjorieG]

6. Says non-partisan, facts rule, but does conservative-liberal take on economics impact CBO?

This doom scenario prefaces everything lately, every poll analysis? Timing because Obama vows greater involvement, vows success?

Another thing, why can't we argue that something this complicated takes a while to work out the kinks. Needs to be road-tested, when real savings will have to be made.

[quidam56]

7. ...the best health care in the world

As a former health care giver, I am shocked and saddened to see what has become of health care in America. $ 1. 4 million is being spent per day in DC by the health care lobbyists so your elected representative is getting taken care of and has quality health care we pay for and can't afford ourselves for our families, I know what is deemed, defended and supported in Tennessee and Virginia as quality health care and clearly profit care comes ahead of patient care. http://www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=62 MRSA ( methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureas ) is infesting our communities because filthy, uncaring hospitals and emergency rooms are breeding them and spreading them into our schools, homes, restaurants. How many more Americans' will be diseased or die while 74 % of Americans' are begging for health care reform ? More people died in America last year from MRSA complications than AIDS. When MRSA and a flu bug start mixing, it won't be pretty and we are being infected by the very health care system we depend on and trust to keep us safe and healthy. If we had "the best health care" in the world then why does RAM ( Remote Area Medical ) come to Wise County, Virginia year after year so people can go to the fairgrounds and stand in a line like cattle in the hot July sun just to see a health care provider ??? America's health care system is a disgraceful sham !

[Zenlitened]

10. Translation: Democrats are too timid.

Bold action in a time of crisis? We used to know how to do that. These days... not so much. Wouldn't want to create a fuss, ya know.

[eridani]

11. So where the HELL is his report on HR 676/1200 and S 703?