Our Health Policy Matters

The U.S. debt debate is heating up as Congress and the President argue about the “cut, cap, and balance” plan and move closer to the August 2 nd deadline to raise the debt ceiling. The debt debate is important.   Our U.S. debt is now over $14 trillion, and we need to do something about it.   But Medicare cuts are on the table, and war spending is not. So I would like to propose a switch.   Take Medicare cuts off the table, and put war cuts on it. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have cost this country over $1.2 trillion since 2001.   The debt ceiling wouldn’t even be an issue if it weren’t for these, because we never paid for them.   We got the two men we wanted.   It’s time to pay the bill and get out. On the other hand, the 2011 summary of the annual report of the Medicare Trust Fund trustees shows that we still have surpluses in the Medicare Trust Funds.   The Medicare Part A Trust Fund had $271.9 billion in it in 2010.   The Part B and...

The U.S. debt debate is heating up as Congress and the President argue about the “cut, cap, and balance” plan and move closer to the August 2 nd deadline to raise the debt ceiling. The debt debate is important.   Our U.S. debt is now over $14 trillion, and we need to do something about it.   But Medicare cuts are on the table, and war spending is not. So I would like to propose a switch.   Take Medicare cuts off the table, and put war cuts on it. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have cost this country over $1.2 trillion since 2001.   The debt ceiling wouldn’t even be an issue if it weren’t for these, because we never paid for them.   We got the two men we wanted.   It’s time to pay the bill and get out. On the other hand, the 2011 summary of the annual report of the Medicare Trust Fund trustees shows that we still have surpluses in the Medicare Trust Funds.   The Medicare Part A Trust Fund had $271.9 billion in it in 2010.   The Part B and...

Policymakers across the country have declared war on health.   You may have missed the headline, but this is a war with many casualties. Its objective is to topple health care as we know it.   When health care falls, our health will be the victim. Battles are raging in many states to cut the legs out from under health care financing. The Arizona Senate Appropriations Committee recently voted to eliminate the Medicaid program.   This would make 1.3 million people uninsured and cost the state $7.5 billion in federal funding.   A Florida Senate leader has threatened to eliminate Medicaid unless the federal government agrees to massive changes.   This would cost Florida over $10 billion, and make 3 million people uninsured. Wisconsin’s Governor has proposed dropping over 60,000 people from Medicaid because they are too rich.   “Too rich” means a two-person household income of less than $29,100.       Medicaid isn’t the only target.  ...

Policymakers across the country have declared war on health.   You may have missed the headline, but this is a war with many casualties. Its objective is to topple health care as we know it.   When health care falls, our health will be the victim. Battles are raging in many states to cut the legs out from under health care financing. The Arizona Senate Appropriations Committee recently voted to eliminate the Medicaid program.   This would make 1.3 million people uninsured and cost the state $7.5 billion in federal funding.   A Florida Senate leader has threatened to eliminate Medicaid unless the federal government agrees to massive changes.   This would cost Florida over $10 billion, and make 3 million people uninsured. Wisconsin’s Governor has proposed dropping over 60,000 people from Medicaid because they are too rich.   “Too rich” means a two-person household income of less than $29,100.       Medicaid isn’t the only target.  ...

Are essential health and behavioral health services a priority for our elected officials?   We got a clear picture when House leaders offered their 2011 continuing resolution and President Obama proposed his 2012 budget this past week.     Both the continuing resolution to fund federal agencies for the current fiscal year and the President’s budget proposal for next year cut billions of dollars from the federal budget.   Some essential health services are surprising targets. Cost Per Person to Restore Proposed Health Cuts For a total savings of $2 billion, or just over six dollars a person, would we choose to slice what they chose to slice, or would we make health services a bigger priority? The continuing resolution proposed to cut $1.3 billion from community health centers.   These centers are located in every state.   They provide comprehensive primary care to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.   They employ doctors, dentists, nu...

Are essential health and behavioral health services a priority for our elected officials?   We got a clear picture when House leaders offered their 2011 continuing resolution and President Obama proposed his 2012 budget this past week.     Both the continuing resolution to fund federal agencies for the current fiscal year and the President’s budget proposal for next year cut billions of dollars from the federal budget.   Some essential health services are surprising targets. Cost Per Person to Restore Proposed Health Cuts For a total savings of $2 billion, or just over six dollars a person, would we choose to slice what they chose to slice, or would we make health services a bigger priority? The continuing resolution proposed to cut $1.3 billion from community health centers.   These centers are located in every state.   They provide comprehensive primary care to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.   They employ doctors, dentists, nu...