Example of possible areas for cutbacks in Medicare.

[Sheepshank]

reducing fraud........and about freaking time~

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2011/June/11-civ-866.html

WASHINGTON – Rakesh Nathu, a Las Vegas physician, has agreed to pay the United States $5.7 million plus interest to settle allegations that he submitted false claims to federal health care programs for various radiation oncology services, including intensity modulated radiation therapy, the Justice Department announced today.
<snip>
“We expect that physicians who participate in federal health care programs will bill for their services accurately and honestly,” said Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Department’s Civil Division. “Double or excessive billing for procedures and services, as we've alleged here, won't be tolerated by the Department of Justice or the taxpayers who pay for it.”

[Enrique]

1. reducing fraud is not "painful"

I'm hearing about "painful" cuts. That's what I'm worried about.

[Sheepshank]

3. depends on who is claiming it will be painful...right?

a recent heading posted here at DU implicated painful cutbacks...but the article said no such thing. The article certainly didn't indicate any language like that from Obama. So you are hearing and remembering and implying something that just isn't so.

And regardless, adminstrative cut backs and reduction of fraud will always be painful to some. Can't get around that.

[ClarkUSA]

4. Pres. Obama has never said that he'd made "painful cuts" to Medicare.

He has said he'd target Medicare fraud and costs, which would save enormous sums over time.

[Enrique]

6. you're both in massive denial if you think that is what this is about

in case you haven't heard, they're talking about $2-4 trillion in deficit reduction. You don't get that from cutting fraud, and to their credit they are not claiming that's where they're getting it:

"Democrats have to accept some painful spending cuts that hurt some of our constituents ... and we've shown a willingness to do that for the greater good," the president said.

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/national/article_d6262c27-a036-5806-93ee-ffb78d7c78ff.html#ixzz1QnG3KI00

[Sheepshank]

7. And if you are implying this article says ANYTHING about entitlment cuts directly to the recipients

....you are simply a stuck record, attempting to press a manufactured agenda.

$7.3 Billion in fraud pay backs since Jan 2009 is significant. The debt reduction must come from savings, and reduced spending and revenues (taxes). And you know full well that it's dishonest to imply it will all or even significally and painfully come from entitlement cut backs.

[Enrique]

8. "painful spending cuts that hurt some of our constituents"

who are cuts in fraud "paniful" to, other than the fraudsters? Or is Obama saying that the fraudsters are among "our constituents"?

[ClarkUSA]

11. Apples and oranges. That could be anything. He certainly wasn't referring to Medicare benefits.

[ClarkUSA]

10. Does you crystal ball predict tornados, too?

You got nuthin' but speculation. I've got facts that back me up.

Unless you have evidence that President Obama has changed his mind? Quotes?

[ClarkUSA]

2. Pres. Obama has said he won't cut Medicare benefits but that he will indeed target fraud and costs.

[Sheepshank]

5. Obama has talked about cutting fraud and admin costs all along

there is just some convenient, selective recollection being implmented.

It's important to massage the message dontcha know? :sarcasm:

[ClarkUSA]

12. Yes, there's always that going on... you got that right.

There are no flies on you. ;)

[Enrique]

9. and if he does cut benefits, would that make a broken promise?

or will you come back and say "He never promised he wouldn't cut benefits!!!"

[ClarkUSA]

13. and if he doesn't cut benefits, would that be a kept promise?

or will you come back and say, "He never promised he would cut benefits!!!"

:sarcasm:

[Sheepshank]

14. hee hee,

Waiting for the retort.....

I get so used to seeing made up shit about all the negative things Obama could do, might do, will do, implicate he would do, I forget there is the otherside of the coin.

[ClarkUSA]

15. heh

:fistbump:


Still waiting...

[brentspeak]

16. Like the "made up $hit" that Obama would sign a HCR without the public option

Which, after all, turned out to be completely true? Is that the kind of "made-up $hit" you're referring to? Or maybe it was the "made up $hit" that he would extend Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy?

[Sheepshank]

17. made up shit like Obama =Republican

and Obama is cutting medicare in a painful way. Made up shit (and you don't have to use $ because it still means the same thing) like HCR would have passed as universal or single payer. Made up shit like Obama doesn't have the interests of the nation at heart, rather his own back pocket.....please provide evidence if it's not made up shit.

[blueclown]

18. How about not paying for Avastin for breast cancer?

An FDA panel just ruled that Avistan was not an effective treatment for breast cancer patients, yet Medicare comes out and says that they will pay for it anyways.

[Sheepshank]

19. I haven't done any research on Avista and the people taking it for breast cancer Tx.

All I had heard is that it's overall efficacy is not at the levels expected. Not that it was 100% fail.

I don't know how many people are currently taking it, how much it costs, and if removing it from those people that it is effective for, would want it removed. I imagine if it's not working, Dr's are moving onto other treatments anyway...wouldn't you think?