Vice President Kamala Harris is facing criticism over a new Medicare policy that's stirring up controversy. Critics accuse her of backtracking on promises to safeguard the Medicare trust fund, sparking a fiery debate about whether the administration’s recent moves are helping or hurting the nation’s seniors.
Harris recently reassured the public that Medicare is a priority, telling AARP, "I will always fight to protect and strengthen Medicare for this and future generations." She emphasized that big corporations and wealthy individuals must step up and pay their fair share, which she believes will help sustain critical programs like Medicare.
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But critics aren't buying it. According to the latest Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis, a program introduced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to keep premiums low could cost taxpayers over $21 billion in the next three years.
This demonstration project, as it's called, was designed to stabilize Medicare Part D premiums, which are set to rise sharply. Some, however, view it as a ploy to shield the administration from political fallout.
The plan stems from the Inflation Reduction Act, a bill to reduce drug costs for Medicare recipients. While the intent sounds good on paper, it comes with a significant catch: insurance companies will likely hike premiums substantially soon.
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With the average bids for Part D plans expected to triple by 2025, many argue that the administration's subsidy plan is just a short-term patch on a long-term problem.
Stephen Moore, co-founder of the Heritage Foundation, didn't mince words. “More highway robbery from the Dems on the Medicare trust fund,” he said, echoing concerns that the government is siphoning off money meant to protect seniors’ health care to fund other initiatives.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, a key Republican voice, was equally critical. He suggested that instead of facing the consequences of their policies, Democrats are using taxpayer dollars to mask the impact.
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"This nonpartisan CBO analysis confirms CMS's cost-shifting plan is a dishonest election year gimmick to cover up those consequences,” Grassley said in a statement, calling the move an attempt to "artificially" lower premiums in time for the election.
The backlash on social media was swift. According to the advocacy group Commitment to Seniors, Harris has violated her pledge to secure Medicare.
They argue that this short-term fix could have long-term consequences for the trust fund, putting future generations at risk. "Seniors beware," they wrote, warning of potential threats to the program the Vice President claimed she was protecting.
On the other side of the debate, administration defenders argue that the program provides necessary relief in an inflationary climate where drug prices and premiums are skyrocketing.
They emphasize that the Medicare trust fund still has safeguards in place and that the additional costs are a small price to pay for ensuring seniors don't face crippling medical bills.
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This article Medicare Trust Fund Under Fire: Critics Accuse VP Harris Of 'Highway Robbery' For Allegedly 'Violating' Vital Healthcare Resources originally appeared on Benzinga.com
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