Good news/bad news on health care reform

First the good news. President Obama is trying to have medicare reimbursement rates and policies decided by a commission of health care experts. Right now rates are being set by members of congress. Congressional use of medicare reimbursements as pork is a major cause of the increases in medicare costs. Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel described this as "the least talked-about, most important issue on the table." (Washington Post Com July 16 2009. "Obama Eyes The Purse Strings for Medicare") On this issue the Obama administration has my full support. Anything is better than setting reimbursement rates with a committee of 535.

The bad news came from testimony by the Congressional Budget Office Director today before the Senate Budget Committee. Douglas Elmendorf said there was nothing in the current bills that slow down the rate of federal spending for health care. Instead of bending the cost curve downward, a goal of health care reform, it will actually raise the rate of federal spending on health care. Here is a snippet of the questions Mr. Elmendorf had to face today. This is from the committee chairman, Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) As quoted from the Washington Post.Com July 16, 2009 "CBO Chief criticizes Democrats health reform measures":

"I'm going to really put you on the spot," Conrad told Elmendorf. "From what you have seen from the products of the committees that have reported, do you see a successful effort being mounted to bend the long-term cost curve?"Elmendorf responded: "No, Mr. Chairman."

I cannot add anything to his response. No means no, what else is there to say. Time to go back to the drawing board.