Others’ Opinion: Both parties are guilty of playing politics with Medicare premium hikes

Published 9:24 am Thursday, October 29, 2015

If there’s a sure thing in politics, it’s that any proposed change to Medicare, the federal government’s health insurance program for seniors, inevitably results in blame and fear-mongering. With those age 65 and up among the nation’s most potent voting blocs, both Republicans and Democrats are eager to cast themselves as the popular program’s true defenders.

Democrats are guilty of the latest tiresome attempt at Medicare political point-scoring. Last week, House Democrats used social media to warn ominously that the “Republican-led Congress is on the verge of allowing Medicare premium costs to increase $55 a month for seniors.” That amount is accurate, but the reality is far less dire, because most people currently relying on Medicare won’t have to pay it.

The proposed premium increase involves Medicare Part B, which covers outpatient care. The 70 percent of seniors who will not have to pay are those who currently have their Part B premiums (about $105 a month) deducted straight from Social Security. Of the 30 percent of Medicare enrollees who could be affected, 3.1 million have yearly incomes of $85,000 or more, meaning they can probably afford it.

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Nevertheless, the proposed hike requires a swift congressional fix because not everyone in the affected 30 percent can so easily absorb this increased cost. Those who are in the 30 percent include many retired federal workers, as well anyone who will enroll in Part B for the first time in 2016, a policy change with broad impact that hasn’t been vetted or debated.

Adding to the concern, Social Security officials recently announced that the program will not offer a cost-of-living adjustment next year — a bump that could have offset the premium increase impact for many. Prescription drug costs for many enrollees are also rising.

The estimated price tag for protecting all or some of the affected Medicare enrollees from the increase hovers between $7 billion to $10 billion. That’s a substantial sum, but given the gargantuan size of the federal budget, it should be possible to find an offset from savings elsewhere.

Legislation has been introduced in both the House and Senate to provide premium hike protection. Supporters include Minnesota Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken and Minnesota Reps. Rick Nolan, Betty McCollum and Keith Ellison. It’s encouraging that a legislative fix appears to be part of this week’s intensifying debt ceiling and budget negotiations between GOP congressional leaders and President Obama.

Medicare’s finances continue to be of concern, given the wave of retiring baby boomers and rising medical costs. Change is needed to rein in the program’s share of the federal budget. Higher enrollee premiums may well be part of the program’s future, but raising them requires a robust debate to ensure that these changes are known well in advance and implemented fairly.

Minneapolis Star Tribune

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