Congress plots to pay for a trade deal by raiding Medicare

[Iwillnevergiveup]

http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-mh-congress-plots-to-raid-medicare-20150518-column.html#page=1

Only one word: CYNICAL

'I'd characterize this as money stolen from Medicare.'
Max Richtman, CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare

SNIP#####

"That's the only conclusion one can draw from a provision slipped into a measure to extend and increase the government's Trade Adjustment Assistance program, which provides assistance to workers who lose their jobs because of trade deals. The measure, introduced by Rep. David Reichert (R-Wash.), proposes covering some of the $2.7-billion cost of the extension by slicing $700 million out of doctor and hospital reimbursements for Medicare.


"The plan on Capitol Hill is to move the Trade Assistance Program expansion in tandem with fast-track approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, possibly as early as this week. We explained earlier the dangers of the fast-track approval of this immense and largely secret trade deal. But the linkage with the assistance program adds a new layer of political connivance: Congressional Democrats demanded the expansion of the Trade Assistance Program, Congressional Republicans apparently found the money in Medicare, and the Obama White House, which should be howling in protest, has remained silent."

SNIP#####

[Iwillnevergiveup]

1. Michael Hiltzik

is always on it! Even moreso lately - GREAT journalist in the business section of the LA Times.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

2. Sneaky bastards

Continued from article, bold type mine.

"The Medicare provision came up so recently that members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus are just now gearing up to oppose it. "It was sort of buried" in the bill, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), the caucus co-chair, told me Monday. The caucus expects to circulate a letter opposing the arrangement as soon as later this week. Ellison, an opponent of granting fast-track authority on the TPP, says the Medicare cut amounts to piling the costs of trade liberalization onto its victims."

[Enthusiast]

5. At least Ellison is accurate.

"The Medicare cut amounts to piling the costs of trade liberalization onto its victims."

[stillwaiting]

7. They succeed brilliantly in doing so by offering massive tax subsidies for getting rid of our jobs.

And Democrats just can't seem to figure out a way to make Republicans pay for this for some reason. It must be really difficult to come up with a strategy to put the blame on the Republicans here!

There seems to have been little to no political price to pay for offering tax subsidies for getting rid of our jobs, so why not add more avenues of exploitation?

[world wide wally]

3. Absolutely disgusting

[Enthusiast]

4. Why do we need assistance programs if no one is going to lose their jobs as the President claims?

Now you are seeing who the President actually is. The true nature of this impostor has been revealed.

More money directly out of the pockets of the less well off and the President remains silent. Imagine that. But he's just fine with the F-35.

[Nye Bevan]

8. When did the President claim that nobody would lose their jobs?

Do you have a link?

[Enthusiast]

9. He said the US will gain jobs, a lot of jobs. And he knows this is untrue.

He. Is. Lying.

[Nye Bevan]

10. That's not the same as saying that nobody would lose their job (nt)

[99Forever]

11. Isn't it just the besty how these fucking crooks use weasel words?

[Enthusiast]

13. It is very disturbing. Especially when you lose your job because of their repeated betrayals.

I guess some people simply don't know what it's like to be without a job and have zero prospects for a replacement job.

[Sherman A1]

6. Charming

[Iwillnevergiveup]

12. I don't know

I just get a sinking feeling all the way around. And I wonder how many elected reps House and Senate are truly informed on all trade matters and the repercussions of a bad deal.