Last week, the Senate debated whether to reduce the age eligibility for Medicare from 65 to 55. Leading the charge against the expansion was Senator Joe Lieberman. The proposal was defeated.
The American Hospital Association and the Federation of American Hospitals opposed expanding Medicare, and the groups lobbied lawmakers reluctant to vote for it. Lobbyists and lawmakers who opposed the buy-in were concerned an expansion would exacerbate provider shortages in states with low reimbursement rates. (Source)
Buy-in supporter Chuck Schumer said the bill would have addressed this concern. “All of the potential pitfalls that have been raised were accounted for by the group during the deliberations,” read a statement from supporters. The measure purportedly would have paid extra money to states with low reimbursement rates.
Last week, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission released data that showed Medicare reimbursement for hospitals dropped last year. Rich Umbdenstock, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association, said the Medicare buy-in “could hamper hospitals’ ability to maintain the essential public services that patients and communities depend upon and to upgrade technology and facilities that make care better.” (Source)
