ObamaCare Fact Check: CMS Mailer vs. CMS Actuary

Obama Administration’s Taxpayer Funded Medicare Mailer Is Disputed By Their Own Actuary
CMS Mailer Says New Law “Will Keep Medicare Strong And Solvent,” But CMS Actuary Says “The Longer-Term Viability” Of The Medicare Changes “Is Doubtful”
CMS MAILER: “These Are Needed Improvements That Will Keep Medicare Strong And Solvent.” (“Medicare And The New Health Care Law – What It Means For You,” Centers For Medicare And Medicaid Services, 5/10)

CMS ACTUARY: “The Longer-Term Viability Of The Medicare Update Reductions Is Doubtful.” (“Estimated Financial Effects Of The ‘Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act,’ As Amended,” Centers For Medicare And Medicaid Services, P.21, 4/22/10)

CMS Mailer Says “Benefits Won’t Change” But CMS Actuary Says Medicare Cuts In New Health Law Are “Possibly Jeopardizing Access” To Care For Seniors
CMS MAILER: “Your Guaranteed Medicare Benefits Won’t Change – Whether You Get Them Through Original Medicare Of A Medicare Advantage Plan.” (“Medicare And The New Health Care Law – What It Means For You,” Centers For Medicare And Medicaid Services, 5/10)

CMS ACTUARY: “Providers For Whom Medicare Constitutes A Substantive Portion Of Their Business Could Find It Difficult To Remain Profitable And … Might End Their Participation In The Program (Possibly Jeopardizing Access To Care For Beneficiaries).” (“Estimated Financial Effects Of The ‘Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act,’ As Amended,” Centers For Medicare And Medicaid Services, P.9-10, 4/22/10)

CMS Mailer Says New Law Makes “Improvements To Medicare Advantage” But CMS Actuary Says It Will “Result In Less Generous Benefit Packages” For Medicare Advantage Customers
CMS MAILER: “Improvements To Medicare Advantage.” (“Medicare And The New Health Care Law – What It Means For You,” Centers For Medicare And Medicaid Services, 5/10)

CMS ACTUARY: “The New Provisions Will Generally Reduce [Medicare Advantage] Rebates To Plans And Thereby Result In Less Generous Benefit Packages.” (“Estimated Financial Effects Of The ‘Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act,’ As Amended,” Centers For Medicare And Medicaid Services, P.11, 4/22/10)

CMS Mailer Says New Law Provides “Greater Savings” But CMS Actuary Says Health Care Costs Will Increase
CMS MAILER: “The Affordable Care Act Passed By Congress And Signed By President Obama This Year Will Provide You And Your Family Greater Savings And Increased Quality Health Care.” (“Medicare And The New Health Care Law – What It Means For You,” Centers For Medicare And Medicaid Services, 5/10)

CMS ACTUARY: “But The [CMS] Analysis Also Found That The Law Falls Short Of The President’s Twin Goal Of Controlling Runaway Costs, Raising Projected Spending By About 1 Percent Over 10 Years. That Increase Could Get Bigger, Since Medicare Cuts In The Law May Be Unrealistic And Unsustainable, The Report Warned.” (“Report Says Health Care Will Cover More, Cost More,” The Associated Press, 4/23/10)>

CMS Mailer Says “CLASS” Act “Improves Long-Term Care Choices” But CMS Actuary Says It Has “A Significant Risk Of Failure” And Is “Unsustainable”
CMS MAILER: “Improves Long-Term Care Choices… The New Law Creates A New Voluntary Insurance Program Called CLASS To Help Pay For Long-Term Care And Support At Home.” (“Medicare And The New Health Care Law – What It Means For You,” Centers For Medicare And Medicaid Services, 5/10)

CMS ACTUARY: “In General, Voluntary, Unsubsidized, And Non-Underwritten Insurance Programs Such As CLASS Face A Significant Risk Of Failure As A Result Of Adverse Selection By Participants … There Is A Very Serious Risk That The Problem Of Adverse Selection Will Make The CLASS Program Unsustainable.” (“Estimated Financial Effects Of The ‘Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act,’ As Amended,” Centers For Medicare And Medicaid Services, P.15, 4/22/10)

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