“Despite Assertions To The Contrary By The Obama Administration, The New Health Care Law Doesn't Improve Medicare's Solvency By Much”

PRESIDENT OBAMA: “This Law Doesn't Weaken Medicare; It Strengthens It And Extends Its Life Almost By A Decade.” (President Obama, Remarks At DNC Fundraiser, Miami Beach, FL, 4/15/10)

“Recent Reports From That Office Have Raised Questions About The Health Care Law's Impact On Medicare”

“Despite Assertions To The Contrary By The Obama Administration, The New Health Care Law Doesn't Improve Medicare's Solvency By Much.” (“Prognosis Guarded For Medicare And Social Security,” The Associated Press, 8/5/10)

•    “But The Number-Crunching And Analysis Are Done By Nonpartisan Professionals At The Office Of The Actuary, An Obscure Economic Unit In The Health And Human Services Department That Has A Reputation For Independence. To The Consternation Of White House Officials, Recent Reports From That Office Have Raised Questions About The Health Care Law's Impact On Medicare.” (“Prognosis Guarded For Medicare And Social Security,” The Associated Press, 8/5/10)

•    “An April 22 Analysis Pointed Out That The Highly Touted Gain Of 12 Years Of Additional Solvency For Medicare From The Health Overhaul Is Largely An ‘Appearance,’ stemming from how Medicare cuts are handled under federal accounting rules. Savings from those cuts would be used to finance coverage for the uninsured.” (“Prognosis Guarded For Medicare And Social Security,” The Associated Press, 8/5/10)

•    “‘In Practice, The Improved (Medicare) Financing Cannot Be Simultaneously Used To Finance Other Federal Outlays (Such As The Coverage Expansions) And To Extend The Trust Fund, Despite The Appearance Of This Result From The Respective Accounting Conventions,’ The Report Said.” (“Prognosis Guarded For Medicare And Social Security,” The Associated Press, 8/5/10)

•    “The Actuary's Office Also Projected Enrollment Will Plummet In Popular Private Insurance Plans Offered Through Medicare, As A Result Of Cuts In The Health Care Law.” (“Prognosis Guarded For Medicare And Social Security,” The Associated Press, 8/5/10)

###
SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER