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In reply to the discussion: Howard Dean Attacks Important Piece Of Obamacare (updated 3x) [View all]SunSeeker
(52,146 posts)135. The LA Times ripped Dean: "No, Howard Dean, Obamacare doesn't ration Medicare"
From Monday's LA Times editorial:
Republicans have said hyperbolic things about the 2010 healthcare law's Independent Payment Advisory Board so many times -- e.g., former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's declaration that it's a "death panel" -- that I've gotten inured to it. Nevertheless, it was a little startling to see some of the same facts-be-damned assertions coming from a liberal Democrat on the op-ed page of the Wall Street Journal.
Former Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean took to the Journal on Monday to attack the IPAB with the same blatant mischaracterizations that have been the hallmarks of the GOP attacks. The only real difference is that Dean did so after saying there was "much to applaud" in the 2010 law, including its (extremely expensive) push for universal health insurance coverage.
"The IPAB is essentially a healthcare rationing body," Dean blithely writes, despite the fact that the law flatly states the board cannot ration care. Specifically, any proposal the board makes to control Medicare's costs per beneficiary "shall not include any recommendation to ration healthcare, raise revenues or Medicare beneficiary premiums under section 1395i2, 1395i2a, or 1395r of this title, increase Medicare beneficiary cost-sharing (including deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments), or otherwise restrict benefits or modify eligibility criteria."
...
The most remarkable -- and remarkably false -- critique in Dean's piece is the statement that the Congressional Budget Office has projected that the IPAB "won't save a single dime before 2021." That's because the CBO projects that Medicare costs per beneficiary will rise so slowly over the coming decade, they won't reach the threshold set in the law for the IPAB to act. It's not that the board will be ineffective, as Dean implies. It's that it won't be activated.
...
Former Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean took to the Journal on Monday to attack the IPAB with the same blatant mischaracterizations that have been the hallmarks of the GOP attacks. The only real difference is that Dean did so after saying there was "much to applaud" in the 2010 law, including its (extremely expensive) push for universal health insurance coverage.
"The IPAB is essentially a healthcare rationing body," Dean blithely writes, despite the fact that the law flatly states the board cannot ration care. Specifically, any proposal the board makes to control Medicare's costs per beneficiary "shall not include any recommendation to ration healthcare, raise revenues or Medicare beneficiary premiums under section 1395i2, 1395i2a, or 1395r of this title, increase Medicare beneficiary cost-sharing (including deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments), or otherwise restrict benefits or modify eligibility criteria."
...
The most remarkable -- and remarkably false -- critique in Dean's piece is the statement that the Congressional Budget Office has projected that the IPAB "won't save a single dime before 2021." That's because the CBO projects that Medicare costs per beneficiary will rise so slowly over the coming decade, they won't reach the threshold set in the law for the IPAB to act. It's not that the board will be ineffective, as Dean implies. It's that it won't be activated.
...
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-howard-dean-obamacare-ipab-wrong-20130729,0,6790127.story
Dean lied about the ACA. Sad.
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Because it's news, and a word in the other OP was detracting focus from the issue.
ProSense
Jul 2013
#2
The biggest problem for me is that Dean (whom I like a bunch) is working for a lobbying/legal firm
Hoyt
Jul 2013
#35
It's also clear to me that you are attempting to attack Howard Dean before he announces
Mr. David
Jul 2013
#20
I think Dean intends to repeal that part of the law to IMPROVE on Obamacare...
Mr. David
Jul 2013
#92
Continuing to attack me is just a good way to solidify your creds as a shill and a bully
Mr. David
Jul 2013
#109
Tying medical care to the GDP in any form sounds bad on the face of it and will be demonized.
freshwest
Jul 2013
#70
The fact that the efforts to repeal this are being pushed by Republicans says a lot.
ProSense
Jul 2013
#75
Bush came into 2004 stronger than Reagan or Clinton - he was at 60% in December 2003
karynnj
Jul 2013
#106
Hey, I loved that howl. But Kerry had a longer track record. He would have been a great POTUS.
freshwest
Jul 2013
#118
Thanks. Dean does not repeat his rationing line, just saying it won't save costs ( false).
SunSeeker
Jul 2013
#136
Always interesting to see the comments from those who can't deal with reality. n/t
ProSense
Jul 2013
#121
Strangely enough, I think Dr. Howard Dean has a pretty good grasp of health policy.
LeftyMom
Jul 2013
#123
Are you trying to mislead people into thinking Dean called the IPAB "death panels"
last1standing
Jul 2013
#126
"Death panels" is what Republican call it. The repeal effort is being led by Republicans.
ProSense
Jul 2013
#127
Prosense: Oh my, Dean attacks "death panels." Any thoughts on the issue?
last1standing
Jul 2013
#128
The LA Times ripped Dean: "No, Howard Dean, Obamacare doesn't ration Medicare"
SunSeeker
Jul 2013
#135