Medicare
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Increasing Medicare Tax on High-Wage Earners Could Help Pay for Health Reform and Strengthen Medicare’s Finances
November 13, 2009
Increasing the Medicare payroll tax on high-wage earners would represent a sound and well-targeted way of paying for health reform. It would also improve the solvency of Medicare’s Hospital Insurance (HI) trust fund and thereby strengthen this critical program, which provides health coverage for 46 million seniors and persons with disabilities. … -
House Health Reform Bill Would Strengthen Medicare
Updated November 2, 2009
The comprehensive health reform bill (H.R. 3962)[1] unveiled by House Democratic leaders on October 29 includes a number of significant changes to the Medicare program that would enhance benefits and improve the quality of care, as well as shore up the program’s finances.[2] Much of the discussion of Medicare in the health reform debate has focused, however, on various proposals … -
Ending Medicare Advantage Overpayments Would Strengthen Medicare
September 14, 2009
One of the key cost-saving provisions Congress is considering as part of health reform legislation would eliminate the large overpayments Medicare makes to the private “Medicare Advantage” health plans that serve some Medicare beneficiaries. While private plans ostensibly were brought into Medicare to reduce costs, they … -
“Upcoding” Problem Exacerbates Overpayments to Medicare Advantage Plans
Revised September 14, 2009
Private plans were brought into Medicare on the theory that they could deliver Medicare services at lower cost. However, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) — Congress’s expert advisory body on Medicare payment policy — has found that Medicare pays private plans 14 percent more than it costs to … -
2009 Trustees’ Report Underscores Urgency of Health Reform, Medicare Changes
May 18, 2009
The 2009 annual report of Medicare’s trustees underscores the need for system-wide reform of health care financing that will slow the growth of health care costs in both Medicare and the private sector and extend health coverage to the uninsured. [1] In evaluating the new report, it is … -
Podcast: The 2009 Social Security and Medicare Trustees' Reports
May 12, 2009
The Social Security and Medicare Trustees' report on Medicare underscores the urgency of health care reforms to slow health care cost growth, starting with President Obama’s proposed Medicare reforms. The Trustees’ report shows Social Security doesn’t face an immediate crisis but does require changes, and the sooner they’re made, the better.
Duration 14:58
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Statement: Robert Greenstein on Trustees’ Report on Medicare
May 12, 2009
The new trustees’ disturbing report on Medicare underscores the urgency that Congress enact health care reform that slows the growth of health care costs, while extending coverage to the uninsured. In particular, the report should prod Congress to adopt the President’s proposed … -
Statement: Robert Greenstein to Health Reform Financing Roundtable of the Senate Finance Committee
May 12, 2009
Thank you for inviting me to discuss health care reform financing issues. This is an important aspect of health care reform. Financing is Critical Some 46 million Americans are uninsured, a problem that other western industrialized nations have been able to address. In addition, rising health care costs … -
Rules of the Road: How an Insurance Exchange Can Pool Risk and Protect Enrollees
March 31, 2009
Several leading proposals for major health reform include a new entity — sometimes called an “exchange” — that would offer a choice of health insurance plans to individuals and, if designed well, provide insurance options that are affordable, comprehensive, and easy for consumers to compare. The proposals on … -
Curbing Medicare Advantage Overpayments Could Benefit Millions of Low-Income and Minority Americans
February 19, 2009
More than 25 million Americans belonging to minority groups lack health coverage; minorities constitute 34 percent of the nation’s population but nearly 55 percent of the uninsured. Enactment of comprehensive health reform that achieves universal coverage would therefore disproportionately benefit minorities. One way to help finance … -
The Long-Term Fiscal Outlook Is Bleak
December 16, 2008
This report updates the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ projections of federal spending, revenues, deficits, and debt through 2050. These projections — like the projections the Center issued in January 2007 and the projections by other institutions such as the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Government Accountability … -
Podcast: Long Term Deficit Projections Highlight Need for Action
December 16, 2008
This podcast discusses a report that provides updated long-term federal budget projections. The report describes the factors driving the big increases in deficits and debt projected for the next several decades, such as rapidly rising health care costs and revenues that are inadequate to cover even current expenditures. This podcast features the Center's Executive Director Robert … -
Medicare Changes Can Complement Health Reform
July 31, 2008
The U.S. health care system faces well known problems: 47 million people without health insurance, rapidly rising costs that consume 16 percent of the country’s economic output, and uneven quality of care. At the same time, Medicare — the federal program that provides health coverage for older Americans and … -
Statement by Edwin Park, Senior Fellow, on the President's Veto of the Medicare "Doctor Fix" Bill
July 15, 2008
Contrary to the President’s claim today, the Medicare bill would not “harm beneficiaries by taking private health plan options away from them.” It would merely slow the explosive growth in private fee-for-service plans, the most overpaid and least efficient private Medicare plans. Under the bill, overall enrollment in Medicare … -
Policy Points: Controversial Provision of "Doctor Fix" Bill Would Improve Medicare and Help Keep Bill Deficit-Neutral
July 7, 2008
When the Senate returns from its July 4th recess, it is expected to reconsider H.R. 6331, the Medicare “doctor fix” bill that failed to advance by one vote last month. Despite overwhelming bipartisan support in the House (which passed it by a 355-59 vote), the bill stalled in the … -
Improving the Medicare Savings Programs Would Help Low-Income Seniors Cope With Higher Medical Expenses
May 20, 2008
Bipartisan Senate negotiators are crafting Medicare legislation that would avert a cut in physician payments scheduled to take effect at the end of June. This legislation could also include long-overdue improvements to the Medicare Savings Programs, which help low-income Medicare beneficiaries pay their premiums and cost-sharing. … -
Informing the Debate About Curbing Medicare Advantage Overpayments
May 13, 2008
Bipartisan Senate negotiators are now working on the details of Medicare legislation that would avert a cut in physician payments scheduled to take effect at the end of June. This legislation could also serve as an opportunity to curb, at least to a modest extent, overpayments to private insurance plans that … -
Trustees Reports Show Social Security Shortfall Manageable, Medicare's Problems More Daunting
Revised April 2, 2008
The annual reports of the Social Security and Medicare trustees project the financial status of these two programs for the next 75 years. The new reports confirm that policymakers will need to take action to keep Social Security and Medicare on a sound financial footing. In evaluating the new reports, the reader should keep several … -
Statement By Robert Greenstein Executive Director On The New Reports From The Social Security And Medicare Trustees
March 25, 2008
Today’s reports demonstrate again that policymakers will need to take action to shore up Social Security and Medicare finances, with the challenge being more modest in Social Security and more daunting in Medicare. Social Security The reports show that Social Security will be able to pay full benefits until 2041 and to pay 75 … -
The President's Budget and the Medicare “Trigger”
Revised February 15, 2008
Today, the President submitted legislation to Congress that would ostensibly keep general revenues from covering more than 45 percent of overall Medicare costs in each year through at least 2013. Congress is supposed to consider the President’s proposal or a comparable proposal to avoid exceeding the 45-percent limit. Some have … -
The Dubious Priorities of the President's FY 2009 Budget
Revised February 7, 2008
The President’s budget would provide more tax cuts heavily skewed to the most well-off while cutting vital services for low- and moderate-income Americans, generating large deficits, and increasing the strain on states already confronting budget problems as a result of the economic downturn. The budget … -
Policy Points: Many Missed Opportunities for Congress and the President in 2007
Revised December 21, 2007
Over recent months, federal policymakers considered measures to expand children’s health coverage, strengthen Medicare, make new investments in areas like education and medical research, and extend tax relief — while maintaining fiscal discipline. Congress and the President … -
Curbing Medicare Advantage Overpayments Would Strengthen Medicare
December 5, 2007
The Senate Finance Committee is planning to consider Medicare legislation averting a scheduled cut in Medicare physician payments. The legislation is also expected to modestly reduce the sizable overpayments now being made to private insurance plans that participate in the Medicare Advantage … -
House Health Legislation Would Curb Medicare Overpayments to Private Plans, While Aiding Medicare Beneficiaries Overall
Revised August 8, 2007
The House is considering major health legislation this week. The legislation would not only reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and extend coverage to five million uninsured children but also would curb excessive payments now being made to private Medicare Advantage plans under the Medicare program and thereby … -
Private Plans Continue to Use Misleading Arguments to Oppose Reforms of Medicare Overpayments
July 31, 2007
This week, the House is scheduled to consider health legislation developed by the chairmen of the House Energy and Commerce and the House Ways and Means Committees to reauthorize and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). This legislation, known as the “CHAMP Act,”[1] would not only reauthorize … -
House SCHIP Legislation Would Repeal Dubious “45-Percent Threshold” Provision
July 30, 2007
Legislation to extend the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and make various changes in Medicare, which the House is scheduled to consider this week, would repeal a so-called “45-Percent Threshold” provision affecting Medicare that was slipped into the 2003 Medicare prescription drug bill. Some lawmakers argue … -
Congress to Consider Repeal of Medicare Demonstration Project Designed to Promote Privatization, Rather Than Yield Valid Results
July 23, 2007
Executive Summary The House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee will begin work this week on major health care legislation. Among other proposals, they plan to consider repealing a provision of the 2003 Medicare drug law that requires a large-scale, six-year demonstration project under which private insurance … -
Informing the Debate about Curbing Medicare Advantage Overpayments
July 19, 2007
(Click on the questions below to go directly to the corresponding answer.) Do private plans cost more than it costs the regular Medicare program to cover the same beneficiaries? How do Medicare Advantage overpayments affect Medicare’s finances? How do Medicare Advantage overpayments affect beneficiary premiums? … -
A Brief Analysis of the Social Security and Medicare Trustees’ Report
April 23, 2007
The new Trustees’ report shows that action will need to be taken to shore up Social Security’s and Medicare’s finances. In evaluating the new report, several points should be kept in mind. The most serious financing problems are in Medicare. They primarily stem not from the nature of the Medicare program … -
Statement by Robert Greenstein on the New Report from the Medicare Trustees
April 23, 2007
Today’s report shows why it is so important for Congress to stand up to the health insurance companies and eliminate the large overpayments Medicare is making to private health insurance companies. Those overpayments, which the insurance companies have launched a … -
Forthcoming Medicare Trustees’ Report May Contain Dubious "Medicare Funding Warning"
April 20, 2007
While Medicare faces a serious long-term financing problem that must be addressed, the annual report of the Social Security and Medicare trustees to be released on April 23 may contain a dubious “Medicare Funding Warning” that is based on a deeply misleading measure of the program’s health. Under a last-minute provision slipped … -
Private Plan Overpayments Weaken Medicare’s Financing and Hasten the Program’s Insolvency
April 20, 2007
Under the Medicare program, beneficiaries may elect coverage through private “Medicare Advantage” plans rather than through the traditional fee-for-service Medicare program. Although private plans were introduced into Medicare to spur competition and reduce program costs, both the … -
Low-Income and Minority Beneficiaries Do Not Rely Disproportionately on Medicare Advantage Plans
Revised April 12, 2007
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), Congress’ expert advisory body on Medicare payments, reported this month that Medicare is losing billions of dollars each year because of excessive payments to private insurance plans through the Medicare Advantage program. (Under that program, Medicare beneficiaries may elect … -
Options Exist for Offsetting the Cost of Extending Health Coverage to More Low-Income Children
Revised April 12, 2007
There is growing consensus that SCHIP reauthorization should make substantial progress toward covering all uninsured low-income children. SCHIP reauthorization legislation thus will require significant increases in federal funding, so states have sufficient federal SCHIP funds both to maintain their existing SCHIP programs and to enroll … -
There Is No General “Entitlement Crisis”
January 29, 2007
As is well known, the United States will face grave budget challenges in coming decades. In a new set of federal budget projections through 2050, we find that if current policies remain unchanged, federal expenditures will increase substantially as a share of the economy and revenues will fall short of covering expenditures by increasing amounts, leading to exploding … -
Budget Process Bill Would Result In Deep Cuts In Medicare and Medicaid
Revised August 9, 2006
The Senate Budget Committee has approved a bill (S. 3521) that would radically alter federal budget procedures and could lead to deep cuts over time in the vast majority of domestic programs, including Medicaid, Medicare, and SCHIP. While the odds are slim that the legislation will be considered by the full Senate this year, the … -
Senate Budget Process Legislation Embraces "Misguided 45 Percent Trigger"
June 26, 2006
Executive Summary Major budget-process legislation approved by the Senate Budget Committee on June 20 seeks to limit the share of Medicare expenditures that are financed by general revenues. The legislation (S. 3521), crafted by Senate Budget Committee Chairman Judd Gregg (R-NH), would establish a new Senate … -
Statement of Robert Greenstein, Regarding The Social Security and Medicare Trustees’ Report
May 1, 2006
Today’s report is another reminder of the serious long-term fiscal challenges the nation faces. Overall federal budget deficits will swell as the baby boom generation retires, medical costs continue their rapid ascent, and the growth of the U.S. workforce slows as a result of the aging … -
Trustees’ Report Focuses Attention On Misguided Medicare “45-Percent Trigger”
Revised May 1, 2006
The Social Security and Medicare Trustees report issued May 1 includes an estimate that the portion of Medicare funding that comes from general revenues will exceed 45 percent in 2012. This estimate is likely to be cited by some as an indication of Medicare’s growing problems, with the implication being that Medicare’s … -
President and Senate Budget Committee Embrace Misguided “45-Percent Trigger”
March 13, 2006
Both the President and the Senate Budget Committee have embraced the notion that increases in the share of Medicare expenditures that are funded by general revenues are problematic and should be limited. The President’s fiscal year 2007 budget calls for Medicare to be subject to automatic cuts in any year in which more than … -
Assessing the Effects of the Budget Conference Agreement on Low-Income Families and Individuals
Revised January 9, 2006
Some Congressional leaders are claiming that the low-income provisions in the conference agreement on the budget reconciliation bill are modest and will not harm vulnerable families. Many of the legislation’s key provisions were altered behind closed doors in weekend negotiations, and the legislation was not released until after 1:00 the morning of December 19, just hours before … -
Administration Ignores MedPAC Findings and Recommendation in Threatening Veto over Senate Medicare Provision
Revised November 4, 2005
The Senate budget reconciliation bill includes a provision to eliminate the so-called Medicare stabilization fund for regional Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs). The Congressional Budget Office estimates that elimination of this fund will reduce Medicare spending by $5.4 billion over five years and $10.2 billion over ten years. On November 1, the Administration issued … -
Adopting MedPAC Recommendations to Reduce Excessive Medicare Managed Care Plan Payments Could Yield Large Budget Reconciliation Savings
Revised October 12, 2005
Under the requirements of the Congressional budget resolution, the Senate Finance Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee are expected to consider reconciliation legislation as early as the week of October 17 that contains at least $10 billion in spending cuts over five years in programs under their jurisdictions.… -
Critical Choices: Will Congress Secure Health Care Savings by Targeting “Weak Claims” or “Weak Clients”?
Revised October 12, 2005
The House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Finance Committee are beginning to craft “reconciliation” legislation to reduce projected expenditures for programs under their jurisdiction. This year’s budget resolution requires $10 billion in reductions in programs under these committees’ … -
Medicaid and SCHIP Retention in Challenging Times: Strategies from Managed Care Organizations
Revised September 13, 2005
Efforts to reduce the number of low-income uninsured children and families have focused on expanding eligibility for public insurance programs and finding ways to facilitate enrollment in these programs. Another key factor that contributes to reducing the number of uninsured is the retention of eligible beneficiaries once they … -
Public Benefits: Easing Poverty and Ensuring Medical Coverage
Revised August 17, 2005
When individuals and families experience crises such as job loss, illness, disability, or divorce, they may face the prospect of falling into poverty (or becoming poorer) and losing health insurance coverage. Various government assistance programs are designed to lessen these hardships. These programs also provide support when families work but have low earnings and when … -
New Food Stamp Outreach Opportunity
January 29, 2004
Nearly one in three non-institutionalized people enrolled in Medicare, or about 10 million people who are elderly or disabled Medicare beneficiaries, have incomes below 150 percent of the federal poverty level, $13,470 a year for a single person and $18,180 for a couple in 2004. [1] Many of these individuals face significant challenges …
