YET ANOTHER IDIOT^^^
The House's proposed budget reconciliation bill includes provisions that could indirectly lead to Medicare cuts, though not directly targeting the program itself. Specifically, the bill's changes to Medicaid, including those aligned with Republican priorities, could have cascading effects on long-term care and other health services that people with Medicare rely on.
- Indirect Cuts:
The bill doesn't directly cut Medicare, but it does include changes to Medicaid, which plays a significant role in long-term care for many Medicare beneficiaries.
- Medicaid Changes:
The bill shifts costs to states, potentially leading to cuts in long-term care programs like Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS).
- Nursing Home Staffing:
The bill effectively repeals the Nursing Home Minimum Staffing Rule, which could endanger the lives of Medicare beneficiaries in nursing facilities.
- Statutory PAYGO:
The bill's changes could trigger automatic cuts under Statutory PAYGO, a mechanism that could lead to a 4% reduction in most Medicare spending.
- Long-Term Care:
Medicaid pays for a significant portion of long-term care, and the bill's changes could make it harder for people to qualify for Medicaid coverage and avoid gaps in care, affecting access to long-term care services.
- CBO Projections:
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that at least 8.6 million people could lose coverage due to the changes in the bill, which includes Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.
