We’re calling you out, Mr. President. You have repeatedly said that Medicare benefits will not be cut under Obamacare. Well, according to the Congressional Budget Office, that is flat-out not true. From the story:
Congress’ chief budget officer is contradicting President Barack Obama’s oft-stated claim that seniors wouldn’t see their Medicare benefits cut under a health care overhaul. The head of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, Douglas Elmendorf, told senators Tuesday that seniors in Medicare’s managed care plans would see reduced benefits under a bill in the Finance Committee. The bill would cut payments to the Medicare Advantage plans by more than $100 billion over 10 years. Elmendorf said the changes would reduce the extra benefits that would be made available to beneficiaries.
Those won’t be the only cuts, either. When payments to physicians and hospitals are also reduced, that will affect access.
One of the reasons the president is having such trouble selling health care reform (I mean, besides the plan) is that many Americans know he isn’t being candid with them, and they resent it. Count me among that group.