HHS: Dems' reform plan will take $493B out of Medicare

A new analysis of the current Senate health reform suggests that it could yield some big pluses--but very big minuses, as well.

According to an HHS report, the Senate's health reform plan would extend health coverage to 33 million people that aren't covered now, but could threaten some Medicare patients' access to care. What's more, the proposed plan could torpedo profits at one-fifth of nursing homes and hospitals in the U.S., HHS concluded.

Moreover, the plan seemingly wouldn't shrink the $2.5 trillion the U.S. spends on healthcare. In fact, if other changes aren't made, the cost would actually rise.

Meanwhile, in what may be the most controversial part of the report, HHS concluded that the Dems' plan takes $493 billion out of Medicare over the next 10 years, "may be unrealistic" and could lead to service cuts. Something tells me that the AARP won't let this one get by. Brace yourself for more bloodshed.

To get more information on the report:
- read this Kaiser Health News piece

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