“I think anything that can be — that’s waste, fraud and abuse are open to, obviously, discussions,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters.
“Some people are afraid of the topics; I’m not,” he added, noting that they would focus on waste, fraud and abuse.
But to go after, he repeated over again — the waste, fraud and abuse, the waste, fraud and abuse,” Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said.
This bill addresses waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending,” Desai said in an email.
And it’s unclear how narrowly or broadly Senate Republicans would define “waste, fraud and abuse” when it comes to Medicare.
WASHINGTON — A number of senators stated Thursday that Republicans are considering ways to reduce “waste, fraud, and abuse” in Medicare in order to finance their expansive bill for President Donald Trump’s domestic agenda.
According to them, President Donald Trump has approved the pursuit.
John Thune, the Republican majority leader in the Senate, stated that “I think anything that can be — that is waste, fraud, and abuse are open to, obviously, discussions.”. D. stated to reporters.
Republicans, he said, have mainly looked to Medicaid for savings, but they are willing to look at other programs as well.
“The focus has been on addressing waste, fraud, and abuse within Medicaid, as you are aware, but at this time, we are open to suggestions that people have regarding other areas where waste, fraud, and abuse can be clearly identified in any government program,” Thune stated.
Because of its reputation as a political third rail, Medicare has long been a program that politicians from both parties have been reluctant to touch for fear of anger from senior citizens.
But Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N. D. said they shouldn’t be scared to rid Medicare of waste.
Cramer suggested, “I think we should go after that.”.
They would concentrate on waste, fraud, and abuse, he continued, adding, “Some people are afraid of the topics; I’m not.”. As Republicans in charge of all three branches, I believe that now is the time to pursue greater fiscal responsibility. And that is the argument put forth by some. Wringing their hands is what other people are doing. “.”.
According to Senate Republicans, the matter was discussed in a private meeting and also came up with Trump during a meeting with him on Wednesday by Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee.
The president has stated unequivocally that he opposes any reductions to beneficiaries. However, he kept saying, “The waste, fraud, and abuse, the waste, fraud, and abuse,” Sen. Daines, Steve, R-Mont. “Said.”.
This was echoed by White House spokesperson Kush Desai.
“The president has made it clear that there will be no cuts to Medicaid, Social Security, or Medicare. In an email, Desai stated, “This bill addresses waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending.”.
The talks spark a policy controversy that might have far-reaching political effects. People over 65 can obtain health insurance through the well-known Medicare program, and Democrats are already attacking the new GOP talks about changing the program.
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in a statement Thursday that “a program that 66 million Americans rely on is not waste, fraud, or abuse — it’s lifesaving for the constituents of Republicans pushing to gut Medicare.”. To be clear, Donald Trump authorized Republicans to remove health insurance and restrict access to life-saving drugs in order to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. In addition to being unpopular, these dangerous attacks are shameful and will cost Republicans seats in the upcoming midterm elections. “”.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill passed by the House would increase the national debt by $26.4 trillion over the next ten years, and GOP leaders are looking for ways to reduce its cost. The CBO estimates that it would result in 10 to 9 million fewer people having insurance. Republicans call the cuts to Medicaid and health spending “waste, fraud, and abuse.”.
To vote for the bill, some conservative senators, however, insist on reducing the red ink. Regarding Medicare, it’s also unclear how strictly or broadly Senate Republicans would define “waste, fraud, and abuse.”.
The Republican Party is skeptical of going down that route.
What a horrible notion. We shouldn’t interfere with Medicare,” Sen. R-Mo Josh Hawley. recalled how the Republican Party has previously been stung by attempts to reduce retirement spending.
Republicans didn’t win the popular vote for 20 years, according to Hawley, and President Bush tried to privatize Social Security after winning reelection in 2004. So go mess with people’s Medicare that they have paid into and worked so hard for if you never want to win an election again. “”.
When Republicans started targeting Medicaid to cut costs, Hawley launched similar attacks, but he claimed he was in favor of most of the spending cuts in the bill that was passed by the House, including the eligibility and work requirements.
For some Republicans, the Medicare discussions were unexpected.
“I haven’t heard any talk about Medicare being cut. Although there may be some waste, fraud, abuse, and some language, I would not support reducing Medicare benefits because it is an essential program for which people have earned their benefits. Sen. R-Maine Susan Collins told reporters.
A bipartisan bill that would “improve the way Medicare Advantage plans assess patients’ health risks and reduce overpayments for care” was one of the options senators mentioned. Sens. co-sponsored the “No UPCODE Act,” as it is known. R-La Bill Cassidy. along with D-Ore Jeff Merkley.
According to a recent CBO report, the bill’s provisions could result in a ten-year savings of $124 billion.
“It is an understatement to say that it has bipartisan support,” Cassidy told NBC News. “I believe that would be a sensible approach to safeguard it; don’t reduce benefits; you’re caring for patients while attempting to save the program.”. “.”.
