Senate Report Undercuts Democrats' Health Care Reform Claims
The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions has released a report that contradicts key claims made by Democrats in support of their health care reform bill. The report, released by the official budget scorekeepers at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), concludes that the House Democrats' bill would drive up health care costs and force millions of Americans to lose the care they have now.
Key Takeaways:
- The report finds that the House Democrats' bill would increase total health care spending by 2.7 percent.
- The bill would result in 12 million Americans losing their employer-based health insurance coverage.
- 8.5 million seniors would lose benefits they enjoy under the Medicare Advantage program as a result of Medicare cuts in the bill.
- Many physicians, hospitals, and other providers would stop treating Medicare patients due to the proposed Medicare cuts.
- The report concludes that proposals advanced by the Administration and Congressional Democrats to help control future health care cost growth would have a negligible financial impact over the next 10 years.
- Senate Republicans have requested a similar analysis be done for the bill recently reported out of the Finance Committee.
- The report contradicts Administration claims that health care reform would reduce national health spending.
Statistics:
- 2.7 percent: The increase in total health care spending that the House Democrats' bill would result in.
- 12 million: The number of Americans who would lose their employer-based health insurance coverage under the bill.
- 8.5 million: The number of seniors who would lose benefits under the Medicare Advantage program.
- 10 years: The time period during which proposals to control future health care cost growth would have a negligible financial impact.
Sources:
- U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
* U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.)