Cutting Medicare

The health care debate has ratcheted up in the past few days. The idea that has floated to the surface is that Medicare will have to be cut. This possibility has been there all the time, and I just didn't notice it. Of course the mainstream media did not help at all. But now it's getting the attention it deserves.

Of course, Obama has vowed that he will not cut Medicare. He asserts he wants to reduce waste and fraud. How will a reduction in total outlays achieve that is not clear. Obama is going to cut Medicare for seniors and use the money to fund health care for the uninsured. So seniors will get the short end of the stick.

Cardiologists and oncologists are in an uproar over prospective cuts, arguing that services in small towns and rural areas will be adversely affected. Many doctors already refuse to accept Medicare patients because of low Medicare reimbursements. I myself have had to shop around for doctors who accept Medicare. I could not see the doctor who was my first choice.