House GOP puts Medicaid, ACA, climate measures on chopping block – msn/Politico

To reduce the national debt and provide other services, the US arguably needs to reduce health care cost inflation. But why is Medicaid care for the lowest income the only place the government will cut health care costs? Congress: What about a provision saying that any Medicaid cuts should be matched (with a multiplier) by reductions in both Medicare payments and tax breaks for employer-provided health coverage? That’s where cost reduction wouldn’t cut into bone.

In the pecking order of the US market for medical care, employment-based health plans pay twice much as Medicare, which covers people 65 and older. State/federal Medicaid programs covering low-income people on average pay significantly less than Medicare. See:

How Much More Than Medicare Do Private Insurers Pay? A Review of the Literature – KFF

Medicaid-to-Medicare Fee Index – KFF

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How Poor People Will Pay for Trump’s Agenda – NY Magazine

“Republicans are itching to cut programs aimed at low-income people.”