After failing on Social Security reform, it looks like President Bush’s proposed budget is looking to reform another big money spender in Washington – Medicare.
Thirty-six billion dollars worth of cuts is one of many ways Bush is looking to decrease spending in the budget he submitted this week.
However, these cuts seem to misplace the priorities that Bush himself mentioned during his recent State of the Union address.
As the baby boomers begin to enter retirement, it makes sense that the government would be there to help cover costs for the ever growing money it takes to have health care in the nation. But, the Bush administration’s plan doesn’t add people – it kicks them out.
The cuts come in the form of reduced payments to hospitals and nursing homes – exactly the organizations that need funding the most in the coming years.
Total cuts over the next 10 years would be $110 billion.
Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt told reporters earlier this week that the cuts were hard choices.
At least officials are acknowledging that the Medicare cuts will be difficult.
And, hopefully, Congress won’t let them get through.
Health care is too important for all Americans, and too many already don’t have the proper access now. If the cuts get through, more will be without.
Not surprisingly, the $2.8 trillion budget features increased defense spending.
Hopefully, this money would go to meet troops’ needs on the ground and not be thrown at defense contractors to build weapons systems that won’t be seen before a decade. The troops should have everything they need – whether it is more body armor or stronger vehicles that are more resistant to roadside attacks.
Unfortunately, the budget also includes extending the Bush tax cuts.
If there are any cuts to be made, this is where they should be. They would make permanent tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the most affluent households. While that would give pretty much everyone at SMU more money, is it really necessary to go on a shopping spree at Neiman’s (which Ed Board wouldn’t mind doing, honestly) or ensure that the social safety net is taken away from America’s working poor?
Ed Board hopes the politicians in Washington know the right answer.
