US Democrats eye Medicare cuts in tax, jobs bill

[The Northerner]

WASHINGTON, May 26 (Reuters) - U.S. Congressional Democrats on Wednesday considered tweaks to a package of spending and tax hikes in order to ensure that it is passed before some programs expire next week.

With many lawmakers balking at the package's $134 billion cost, Democratic leaders considered scaling back a provision that would prevent drastic pay cuts for doctors who see patients in the Medicare health-insurance program, according to congressional staffers and lobbyists.

The current bill postpones any cuts for three and a half years, adding $63 billion to the budget deficit. Scaling back that time frame to two years would bring down the total cost and ensure that it has enough support to pass the Senate, a Democratic aide said.

A flaw in Medicare's payment system pays doctors at outdated rates, which would amount to a 21 percent pay cut, unless Congress patches it with a periodic payment update.

Some medical groups said they could live with the shorter time frame.

"If that is all we can get right now, we'll take it," said John Crosby, said executive director of the American Osteopathic Association.

Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKN2644779320100526

[Oregone]

1. For fuck's sake. End the wars already and raise taxes

Its not that fucking complicated.

[FiveGoodMen]

2. Amen

[RKP5637]

9. +1000 +++ It's just far too F'en easy. Most messes this country gets into

are easy to fix, generally the US just makes them worse. All these years at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, for example, it takes a special talent to manage that, like feeding the MIC. ..but let this country fall apart, oh, that's OK, we're keeping 'em over there.

[kelly1mm]

10. How much do you want your taxes raised? Why don't you just write a

check to the Treasury, Bureau of the National Debt, right now?

[Oregone]

11. Sure, fine, as long as everyone else does too

Not that I pay US taxes anymore, but I wouldn't mind paying for a better country.

[readmoreoften]

12. +1

[dchill]

3. Who voted for these jerks?

Oh.

[RKP5637]

8. IMO anymore instead of voting/having the best, we have to choose among

the least undesirable.

[lib2DaBone]

4. Kick. Less than 2% of large corporations pay ANY tax.

Exxon-Mobil paid 0 Taxes on Billions $$$$$ in profits.

End the wars... outlaw Credit Default Swaps..... make corporations pay their share.

Quit beating the mule and load the wagon!

Simple.

[Bitwit1234]

5. Republicans are trying to say

That to cut costs, the Democrats have already put provisions in the Health Care Bill that rations Health Care for patients. Hoyer fired back with yes Health Care is already being rationed, and that's because lots of Americans can't afford ANY.

[Greyhound]

6. K&R, to keep this up front.

While we're watching the Gulf, they're stealing with both hands for their paymasters.
:kick: & R

[RKP5637]

7. All the F'ed money we spend in this country killing people, but when it

comes to helping people they balk.