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White House: Medicare Trustees Report Shows Significant Improvements For Seniors And Taxpayers
Today’s annual report from the Medicare program’s Boards of Trustees brings good news about the program’s financial future: Its Trust Fund will last four more years, to 2030, and projected Part B premiums for 2015 will not increase for the second year in a row. As we celebrate Medicare’s 49th birthday this week, we will recommit to ensuring that the program continues providing health and economic security for the nation’s elderly and people with disabilities through the 21st century and beyond. Today’s news shows that we are on the right track, and we are optimistic that the promising results we’ve seen in recent years can continue into the future. In 2009, the Trustees projected the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund would not be able to pay its bills in 2017 – just three years from now. Today’s new date is 2030, 13 years later than that projection – an improvement that is thanks in part to reforms in the Affordable Care Act (Chart 1).
Spread the word: Medicare is stronger thanks in part to the Affordable Care Act → http://t.co/KbLYX4DsqM #ACAWorks pic.twitter.com/5b965PmecB
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 28, 2014
The law implemented changes to promote value-based payments, reduce waste and fraud, and strengthen the program’s benefits. These changes, for example, have reduced hospital spending on preventable readmissions, helping to lower hospital costs, which constitute a significant portion of trust fund spending. Lower Medicare spending means lower cost sharing and lower premiums for Medicare beneficiaries. For the second year in a row, premiums in Part B are projected to stay the same in 2015 as in 2013 and 2014. This means seniors are expected to keep more of their annual Social Security cost of living adjustment. In fact, the last six years have seen some of the slowest premium growth in the program’s history. Moreover, the Affordable Care Act has saved millions of beneficiaries over $10 billion in prescription drug costs by improving prescription drug benefits and closing the “donut hole.”
More here
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Sahil Kapur: Obamacare Will Help Medicare Remain Solvent Even Longer, Trustees Report Says
The Medicare insurance trust fund will be solvent until 2030, four years longer than projected last year, according to a trustees report released Monday. The trustees report chalked up the new projection to the recent slowdown in health spending growth and various cost-saving reforms enacted under Obamacare. “In recent years U.S. national health expenditure (NHE) growth has slowed relative to previous historical patterns,” the report read.
It added: “The Board assumes that the various cost-reduction measures … will occur as the Affordable Care Act requires.” (Obamacare has been credited in recent years with extending the life of Medicare beyond 2016, the year it was projected to go in the red prior to the ACA’s enactment.)
More here
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More terrible news!!!! > Obamacare Will Help Medicare Remain Solvent Even Longer, Trustees Report Says @TPM http://t.co/mBedvJSn5P
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) July 28, 2014
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Obamacare boosts Medicare’s financial health, new report says http://t.co/hLotNtpOfn
— Washington Post (@washingtonpost) July 28, 2014
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Amy Goldstein: Medicare Finances Improve Partly Due To ACA, Hospital Expenses, Trustee Report Says
Medicare’s financial stability has been strengthened by the Affordable Care Act and other forces that have been subduing health-care spending, according to a new official forecast that says the fund covering the program’s hospital costs will remain solvent until 2030 — four years later than expected a year ago. The trustees’ forecast said that the trust fund that pays for hospital care — Medicare Part A — has been strengthened significantly,
with the date when it is predicted to start running short of money extended by 14 years since the Affordable Care Act was enacted in 2010. The report also predicted that the insurance premiums that older Americans pay for the portion of Medicare that covers doctors’ visits and other outpatient care would probably remain the same for a third year in a row.
More here
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Medicare is in better financial standing today thanks to the #ACA — a win for seniors and American taxpayers. pic.twitter.com/83B6TVtxMY
— Vice President Biden (@VP) July 28, 2014
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Here’s the graphic from today’s briefing showing that Medicare is stronger due in no small part to #ACA. pic.twitter.com/0Fi2TlTrXd
— Josh Earnest (@PressSec) July 28, 2014
The Obama Diary 
Commenting..
Beat me by a minute…….damn. 🙂
I know I’m close?
Very close, sailor! You can captain my ship!
Naw. I’m a bilge rat in this vessel. 😀
Never!
I’m just a small voice in the wilderness of the world.
Do today’s ships really have rats, Yardarm? It thought they went away with the great sailing ships.
Some commercial and cargo vessels still do. US Navy ships put rat guards on the mooring lines to prevent infestations……Rats are a common sight around most piers.
So stuff shipped by boat could have rat droppings in it? Eeks!
If not sealed in cargo containers, yes.
Hi Judith. How is my fellow alum, your daughter, doing?
Hi Jackie,
My daughter is very worried that she and all her visiting public health nurse colleagues at their South Seattle King County clinic will be out of a job in December. They have been on soft money which has dried up. She loves her families with their precious new babies and can’t bring herself to even think about applying for another job. She showed me her letter to President Obama inviting him to walk a day in her shoes. He would totally love the Ethiopian triplets (and their 2 siblings under age 5) whose parents are trying so hard to make it in this country. This program is making such a difference for at-risk pregnant women and families with vulnerable newborns. I hope the marijuana money comes in big and in time, or Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funds it.
Oh, Judith, I had no idea that the situation was so tenuous in clinics like these. I hope and pray that a good funding source turns up quickly. Please let us know. You must be very, very proud of your daughter for this amazing work.
Thanks, Jackie – yes we are!
We have always had to fight the GOP to protect Medicare and Medicaid and must continue the fight to protect the ACA.
Another gem, Nerdy. You are so inspired to spread the good word about ACA, you make all of us smarter and better advocates. You really are “the teacher” in all the best and most beloved sense of that word. If the White House knew what a talent you are, they would hire you in an minute.
🙂
You are so very kind. Glad you like the post.
Thanks, Jackie.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/30/us-condemns-israel_n_5634665.html
I ❤ stories on ACA. Great Job NW.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/white-house-threatens-veto-gop-border-bill
"If the President were presented with H.R. 5230, his senior advisors would recommend he veto the bill," the White House Office of Management and Budget said in a statement on Wednesday.
Thanks, Nena.
[Someone got a super ride! 🙂 ]
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver
@repcleaver
This afternoon I’ll go back to DC on AF1. Ready to create jobs, expand opportunity, & strengthen middle class. #ObamaInKC #OpportunityForAll
Here we go !
More precisely Jovie, here we go, nowhere!
On the merry go round?
They are going after a constitutional lawyer, good luck with that! And also the countersuit is going to be a thing of beauty!!!!
The House is currently voting on procedures for the lawsuit right now. Getting ready for the final vote.
After they vote on the lawsuit they have their final vote of the day on the VA bill, which does not match the Senate bill….
It appears the VA bill will have to wait until September.
It after the elections? Nothing of substance will be done until after elections.
The t baggers will kill the republicans if they do.
😦
You forget PBO!
And the ads write themselves: “Suing PBO over non-existent offenses more important than our veterans.”
Love it.
I forget where I read it: maybe Benen or Sargent, or dkos: where there was a delineation of the procedures the Dem’s wanted – like no conflicts of interest with attorneys, etc. I think there were about 10, all reasonable. All voted down in committee.
Well, Linda, the House passed something. The L.A. Times article says the Senate will put its version up for a vote tomorrow, most likely. I don’t know how close they are.
But the House did actually take a minute to pass the damned thing.
Now this explains party why the Chuck Todd of the world is having: It’s a Heartache…….nothing, but a Heartache……
The GOP wave of 2010 final poll was GOP +3. So every point counts, in midterms.
Jovie, I hate these generic match-ups. They mean nothing. They have no relationship to how many actual seats are won or lost.
Yep, even with redistricting. With these numbers, we could take back the House—not by a wave, but a slim majority is enough.
Hence:
With the DC/NY Pundits Polls still favoring Dems……The Hysteria is what Eric B. has accurately observed.
Layla, Ditto!
Some things , why even bother……
They are out of here 2014!
Bob, every single bomb dropped by Israel is another weapon in its own future destruction. This will come back on them many fold.
Sadly true, Jackie. And, they are going to have no one to defend them.
Exactly, JackieG!
Col Morris Davis cracks me up.
Keep digging @GOP …
😯 ❓ Nope.
Look at the 5 in the SCOTUS.
The ads just keep writing themselves!!!!!
Nice way to kill the Catholic vote, Republicans. Keep it up. There are probably one or two other ethnic or interest groups you haven’t insulted yet. The voting season is still young and they’ve got miles of insults they can still pile up before they sleep.
[OMG! I can only put a bit of the article, but it’s about NRA’s top lawyer whom you never hear about. My mouth fell open a few times.]
[…..] The following morning, Dowlut was charged with first-degree murder. A year and a half later, a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder. Before the judge handed down a life sentence, he asked the defendant if there was any reason why he shouldn’t be put away. Dowlut replied, “I am not guilty.” A day later, the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City registered Dowlut, now 19, as prisoner number 33848.
Less than six years later, Robert Dowlut would be a free man—his murder conviction thrown out by the Indiana Supreme Court because of a flawed police investigation. The court ordered a new trial, but one never took place. Dowlut would return to the Army and go on to earn college and law degrees. Then he would embark on a career that put him at the epicenter of the movement to transform America’s gun laws. […..]
.
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/07/robert-dowlut-nra-murder-mystery
Brings meaning to “I would kill to get a job at the NRA”!!!!!!
Is this the shaders miller bill? If so should be on it’s way to presidents desk!
It needs Senate approval.
Is this the compromise bill between Miller & Sanders?
I guess it’s close; but the article says that the Senate is to vote of their version, probably Thursday but no vote is scheduled yet. I don’t know how close the two bills are.
Republicans Want DOJ To Investigate IRS’ Lerner For Referring To GOP ‘Crazies’ As ‘Assholes’
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/dave-camp-lois-lerner-emails-assholes
lol…
I think I will just turn myself in to the DOJ right now and I don’t even live in the US!!!!!!
She left the IRS. These rat bastards would kill her if they could and she’s one of them.
I’m sorry but Mark Knoller cracks me up. His tweets are just priceless. To say that he is a well known journalist in DC is simply amazing to me. 😯
Oh my world…..Chips will be Happy, buy our Nerdy and LL will not be……..
This is from Count Von Knoller…….his reliability mighty be questionable 😉
Perhaps, a Token ❓ NW & LL 😉
God bless PBO: he hosts both the mighty and the lowly. (I’ll leave you to guess into which category Man U falls.)
‘Scuse me??
17 days!!!!
BTW, did you read this gem?
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/bebe-s-greatest-moments-with-manchester-united-194425629.html
I’m not surprised a comment containing ‘Bebe’ went straight to spam. Thank you WordPress.
Flipping hilarious, especially: “The time he got closer to the Premier League trophy than Steven Gerrard ever has.”
Although, I hear he’s quite good now. 😯
Well, he did get sold for a pretty penny, so I assume he’s improved.
“U.N. Spokesman Breaks Down Sobbing On Live TV Over Palestinian Children Killed In Shelling”
video was removed. fyi only
Wow…
I think that their are many in congress that are resistant to send money to the Israeli regi- er I mean state because they are horrified at what is happening, but are unwilling to admit it. Optimism, perhaps but what else do we have?
Good Day Everyone:-)
LOL! at Stephen Colbert….This made me chuckle…WTG Stephen!
Stephen Colbert Buys TheSarahPalinChannel.com, Promises His Own ‘Angry Echo Chamber’
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/30/colbert-buys-thesarahpalinchannel-sarah-palin_n_5633642.html
Thanks for reminding me Kasai! This one made me laugh and smile too! Have you visited the link?
http://thesarahpalinchannel.com/
“The only Sarah Palin Channel on the internet with a definite article in the address!” Ha Ha! Stephen rocks! And he has a good heart too 🙂
LOL! Yes I have…He’s getting more hits and plays than actual Palin site for FREE…Love It!
Chris Cillizza’s Fixation On Hillary Clinton’s Wealth
The Fix Has Devoted At Least 13 Posts To Clinton Wealth In Just 2 Months
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2014/07/30/chris-cillizzas-fixation-on-hillary-clintons-we/200250
How many times did he fixate on Romney’s wealth? And how Romney got rich?
Actually taxing the rich would solve the Social Security solvency issue in a heartbeat. MORE immigrants, not less, would also solve the problem. Want to shrink the gap between the size of the retiring generation and the generation working and paying in to Social Security? Add more workers by encouraging people to immigrate to American and having laws that facilitate it!
Just raising the cap would make a huge difference. I know it doesn’t fix anything, but the current cap is nowhere near the percentage it was when I entered the adult work force in the early 70’s.
Yup, the super rich folks could contribute on ALL of their income instead of just a fraction of it. That would make a massive difference.
Obama urges GOP to ‘stop hating all the time’; GOP responds with lawsuit
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/obama-urges-gop-stop-hating-all-the-time-gop-responds-lawsuit
It doesn’t get more tragic than this:
I am heartbroken.
We have got to do better.
US Taxpayers should not fund Bibi’s wars.
When will the world stand up together to demand a halt to this massacre? When will people see that this has gone beyond defense? Bombing schools, playgrounds, markets, UNRWA areas?? I know POTUS has asked Netanyahu to stop this and in response Netanyahu only ratchets up the slaughter. And then they try to humiliate Kerry and ask the U.S. to leave them alone? Disgusting horrific display of inhumanity.
maybe what I need to do is to tweet this and stories like this to Harry Reid and others in Congress cc POTUS, VPOTUS and SOSKerry.
I will give the benefit of the doubt to Congress that they were unaware of the massacre of the people of Gaza. Because I too was unaware of the gravity. Maybe then they will connect and it will change minds. We cannot walk lockstep with Israel and ignore the genocide of a people.
Regardless of religion or country of origin – this is wrong and a crime against humanity.
the blood is on Netanyahu and our shameless pandering to AIPAC.
Oh no. There was a horrific situation where 3 babies were sharing an incubator……I saw one picture here. So very sorry. This is just so sad. I wonder if this was part of the problem.
So sad… She’s an angel now with her mama.
This is really too much! Israeli leaders and the IDF are committing crimes against humanity and should be prosecuted!
Walter Jones – R Virginia is the only Republican voting NO on the lawsuit
John Lewis speaking on cspan 1
Lol
5 NO votes on the VA bill….all Republican
Crawford
Jones
Kingston
Sanford
Stockman
Ha ,,, I had forgotten Sanford is back in Congress….
I heard they voted no because they want impeachment.
Jay “Clark Kent” Carney on The David Letterman show. Here’s a little clip released by the Show.
“See yesterday’s non-response.” I ❤ this one.
very amusing, TY Nena
Republicans are going to get CRUSHED this fall.
I can’t wait to find out which Republican was vote # 218.
Nerdy’s new post:
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/07/30/kansas-city-%E2%99%A5-president-obama/
This is arguably the most unexpected piece of news in the new Medicare Trustees report: the government’s hospital insurance program might be spending less money to cover more beneficiaries than it did a year ago….
…But what’s definitely clear — and what’s driving this trend — is that Medicare is spending significantly less per person than they did two years ago. And this report expects that trend to continue for another two years going forward….
….By 2015, the Medicare Trustees’ Report projects that the program will spend less per person on hospital care than it did in 2008. This doesn’t happen much in health care: not just slower growth, but the actual dollar amount spent on a given type of care dropping…..
This is because Medicare is now paying for “quality of care” rather than “quantity of care” & hospitals can get penalized if too many patients return in less than 30 days for the same issues. Hospitals are now encouraged to provide adequate & supportive after care that promotes recovery rather than sending a patient home who then returns 3 days later with complications. Everybody wins here. Patients get better care & medicare saves money.
http://news.yahoo.com/michelle-obama-says-africa-runs-her-viens-182813956,html;_ylt=A0LEVzIBcNITI2EA2_NXNyoA
The House voted 225-201 adopt H.Res 676, a resolution authorizing a lawsuit against President Obama for use of exeuctive order in implementing the Affordable Care Act. Debate on the resolution consumed much of the chamber’s late Wednesday afternoon, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats held a press conference on the lawsuit. Five Republicans voted against the measure.
http://www.c-span.org/video/?320783-1/awaiting-house-democrats-news-conference-gop-lawsuit-president
http://www.dci-palestine.org/documents/detention-bulletin-issue-53-mayjune-2014