While this shouldn’t surprise any of you, it’s still amazing that it can happen in this country. One more step towards a totalitarian state.
The federal government resorted to bullying tactics when it ordered an investigation of Humana — one of the country’s biggest private insurers — for its decision to send customers a letter alerting them about pending health reform legislation, a leading Republican charged Wednesday.
U.S. health officials launched the probe after the Louisville-based company mailed a letter to patients enrolled in its Medicare Advantage plans — private options that replace standard Medicare — warning that President Obama’s health overhaul could eliminate important benefits of the program.
Republican Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell blasted the investigation of Humana on Wednesday, calling it a “federal gag order” that seeks to silence a health provider that disagrees with the administration. McConnell said he’s called for a complete legal justification of the probe.
The investigation was first suggested by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, whose committee has jurisdiction over Medicare. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — which officiates over the Medicare program for seniors and Medicare Advantage options — ordered a “cease and desist” order on all of Humana’s health care mailings until the investigation is concluded.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) apparently agrees with Humana.
Obama has insisted that despite planned cuts to Medicare providers, seniors would not see their benefits reduced under a health care overhaul. But CBO Director Douglas Elmendorf contradicted that Tuesday under questioning by Finance Committee Republicans, saying seniors in the private Medicare Advantage plans could see reduced benefits under Baucus’ legislation. Proposed changes “would reduce the extra benefits that would be made available to beneficiaries through Medicare Advantage plans,” Elmendorf said.
The motivation for seniors to buy Medicare Advantage is to obtain better coverage than what Medicare offers. The Obamacare plan proposed by Baucus will no longer be attractive, and the result is they’ll quit buying it. Approximately 20%-25% of all Medicare enrollees buy Medicare Advantage plans. The net result, a loss in benefits, benefits they’re paying for out of their pockets.
Issuing the gag-order is a clear violation of the First Amendment, but hey, it’s Obama, and he can trash the constitution any times he desires.
Believe what Obama says, ignore the truth.
If you find this article informative? Consider donating any amount you choose.
No related posts.
Entries (RSS)
