In February, the Obama administration announced a 7 percent decrease in Medicare Advantage premiums and 10 percent increase in enrollment. This month, the administration said Medicare prescription drug premiums “remain steady” for the third straight year.
Despite this supporting news for private Medicare plans, Democrats have denounced the Romney-Ryan plan as the end of Medicare as we know it. Health policy experts say Democrats opposed Mr. Romney’s and Mr. Ryan’s plans for Medicare because Republicans generally want a market with less regulation, according to the report.
Also, Romney-Ryan critics are worried that Medicare payments will fall short of medical costs, making patients pay more. They also worry that older, sicker and more expensive beneficiaries will be left in the traditional Medicare program.
Healthcare experts and politicians cited in the report hold differing opinions on whether competition between the private sector and traditional Medicare can hold down costs. Some point to the competitive bidding for drugs as a sign of success, while others say neither Medicare nor Medicare Advantage know how to control prices and that both are still learning.
Despite the lack of concord, Mr. Romney, Mr. Ryan and President Obama have all orchestrated competitive bidding arrangements. The healthcare reform law established health insurance exchanges, and Mr. Romney set up a similar exchange in 2006 under Massachusetts’ healthcare reform law. Mr. Ryan’s proposal for Medicare would set up a similar arrangement, according to the report.
More Articles on Medicare and the 2012 Election:
Survey: 50% of Voters Opposed to Paul Ryan’s Medicare Plan
Poll: Medicare More Important to GOP Voters Than Reform Law
The Paul Ryan Primer: Medicare, Medicaid and Why His VP Nomination Matters
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