It has been a central campaign promise from Mitt Romney: His Medicare overhaul plan would not touch benefits for anyone older than 55. <\/p>\n
That may not, however, be the case with the Republican presidential nominees other health-care proposals. A growing body of research suggests that his plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act and cut Medicaid funding would have a direct impact on the health care that seniors receive. <\/p>\n
Repealing the health law would mean higher Medicare premiums, the Kaiser Family Foundation found in a recent analysis. Wellness visits and prescription drugs also would cost more. Although under the current law, reductions in doctor payments could create an access issue. <\/p>\n
The impact could be greatest for the lowest-income seniors, who qualify for both the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and there could be a significant slowdown in federal funds available for their care. <\/p>\n
The health-care law cuts $716billion in Medicare spending, largely by reducing how much insurers and health-care providers get paid to manage seniors care. Since Medicare beneficiaries pay a percentage of the programs overall budget, lower spending means lower premiums. <\/p>\n
If the Medicare savings are repealed, and the benefit enhancements are repealed, theres a direct effect on seniors today, said Tricia Neuman, director of the Kaiser Family Foundations Medicare Policy Project. <\/p>\n
Health and Human Services estimates that Medicare beneficiaries paid $94 less out-of-pocket for hospital and doctor coverage this year than they would have without the health-care law. That number will rise to $572 in 2021 as the Medicare cuts grow larger. <\/p>\n
An expected slower rate of growth in Medicare spending leads to a slower rate of growth in beneficiary out-of-pocket payments, the February 2012 research brief concluded. <\/p>\n
About 5percent of seniors would see some premiums increase, as the Affordable Care Act expands an income-related premium for anyone earning more than $85,000. <\/p>\n
Overall, though, analysts say that out-of-pocket spending by seniors would increase if the Affordable Care Act is repealed. On average, spending for seniors would rise because their premiums would rise, Neuman said. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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Romney health plans would affect seniors\u2019 care, studies find<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It has been a central campaign promise from Mitt Romney: His Medicare overhaul plan would not touch benefits for anyone older than 55. That may not, however, be the case with the Republican presidential nominees other health-care proposals. A growing body of research suggests that his plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act and cut Medicaid funding would have a direct impact on the health care that seniors receive. Continue reading