A Senate Democrat wrote a letter to President Barack Obama, urging him to leave Medicare and Medicaid cuts off the table in fiscal cliff talks and redirect cost-saving strategies to healthcare delivery systems.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.) wrote that "cost savings through delivery system reforms are key to preserving and strengthening these programs without hurting the middle class." He cites numerous economists and councils that found potential for healthcare systems to save between $700 billion and $1 trillion without compromising quality.
"Indeed, if your Council of Economic Advisors' $700 billion savings estimate is correct, since 40 percent of America’s healthcare spending is federal, we could save [more than] $80 billion a year if we only achieved 30 percent of the potential," the senator wrote. "Over a 10-year budget period, that amounts to $800 billion in federal healthcare savings — all without taking away any benefits, while likely improving care."
The senator also wrote an op-ed related to his letter, which was published by Politico.
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Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.) wrote that "cost savings through delivery system reforms are key to preserving and strengthening these programs without hurting the middle class." He cites numerous economists and councils that found potential for healthcare systems to save between $700 billion and $1 trillion without compromising quality.
"Indeed, if your Council of Economic Advisors' $700 billion savings estimate is correct, since 40 percent of America’s healthcare spending is federal, we could save [more than] $80 billion a year if we only achieved 30 percent of the potential," the senator wrote. "Over a 10-year budget period, that amounts to $800 billion in federal healthcare savings — all without taking away any benefits, while likely improving care."
The senator also wrote an op-ed related to his letter, which was published by Politico.
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