Pete Stark fires the first shots
It's starting.
Rep. Stark (D CA) is already talking about cutting subsidies for Medicare Advantage programs, which he claims are costing taxpayers over 12% more than standard Medicaid programs.
This comes as no surprise to loyal readers and those who are old enough to remember when "Pete" Stark was a major player in national health care policy.
The study cited by Stark in his comments came from the Commonwealth Fund, which noted that on a cost-per-beneficiary basis, MA plans cost over $900 more than fee-for-service programs.
Democrats are all-but-certain to make MA plans a target early in the new year. Given the Dem's desire to enrich the Part D program by minimizing the doughnut hole, they're going to have to find the money somewhere.
And there is a lot of money flowing to Medicare Advantage programs.
Comments
The reimbursement rate to MA plans prior to MMA'03 was 90%. Why not reduce to no more than 95%, instead of 100%? Privatization is good if the private sector can do it for LESS than the government, NOT MORE!!
Posted by: TOM VOITIER | March 23, 2007 2:15 PM