Republicans To HHS: Why Are You Politicking In YOUR Letters?

The chief Medicare actuary has noted that ACA calls for Medicare spending cuts to be used to pay for expanding other health programs, and that the government cannot simultaneously use the cuts to pay for other programs and extend the life of the Medicare trust fund, the senators write.

In late 2009, CMS officials engaged in a battle with health insurers over how the insurers could go about communicating with Medicare plan enrollees about the health bills then in Congress.

“Given your recent actions to prohibit private companies from communicating with their clients about the potential ramifications of health reform, you can understand our concern about this double standard,” the Republican senators write in their letter. “We are deeply concerned about the apparent inequities evident in this situation.”

Sebelius should explain how the brochure was developed and who developed it, and how it is being distributed, and she should indicate whether White House staffers were involved, the senators write.

“Please identify the name of each employee or contractor of HHS who was involved directly or indirectly in the creation, the development, drafting, review and clearance of the brochure,” the senators write. “Please provide a copy of each draft version of the brochure from the first draft through the final version.”

The senators are asking whether seniors are required to “opt-in” to receiving brochures of this type and, if so, when that opportunity is given and under what circumstances.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the CMS brochure can help members of Congress clear up misconceptions about the ACA changes.

“Perhaps most significantly, it begins with what stays the same for Medicare,” Pelosi said, according to a written version of remarks she made at a news conference Wednesday. “No change in guaranteed benefits and no change in eligibility. During open enrollment this fall, seniors will continue to have a choice between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Medicare will continue to cover health cost the way it always has for seniors.”