Lawmakers Push Debt Panel on Cost-Cutting Proposals
Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) are calling on members of the federal deficit-reduction panel to consider their June proposal to cut more than $500 billion in Medicare spending over 10 years. In addition, Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) wrote a letter urging House colleagues to press the panel to recommend a permanent fix for the Medicare sustainable growth rate formula, which determines physician reimbursements. Meanwhile, the debt panel reportedly is considering proposals to cut spending for individuals who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.
- "Sens. Lieberman, Coburn Press for Big Supercommittee Cuts to Medicare" (Bolton, The Hill, 9/28).
- "Budget Rep. Wants Supercommittee To Take on Permanent Medicare Payments Fix" (Pecquet, "Healthwatch," The Hill, 9/28).
- "Debt Panel Eyes Dual Medicare/Medicaid Patients" (Smith, Reuters, 9/28).