Monday, September 11, 2006
Playing shell games with Medicare payments
September 30 is the end of the federal fiscal year, and it has special meaning -- this year -- for those of you providing services to Medicare recipients. George Bush's minions have had a brainstorm at your expense: Federal bureaucrats will put off as many purchases as possible until October so that this year's spending looks nice and frugal for those midterm elections. And, if no actual purchases can be delayed, just delay payment for services already rendered. Like, say, for Medicare services: In essence, you will be giving the federal government an interest-free loan of nine days worth of payments. (The feds are supposed to send you what hey owe you some time after October 1, when the payment can be attributed to the 2007 fiscal year.)
This way, the Medicare mouskateers happily say, the Medicare bill for 2006 will look like its $5.2 billion less than it really is. This will help those folks who are in office pick up a few more votes to stay in office. That $5.2 billion will get tacked onto next year's budget, so we're saving anything, but there's no election next year.
I swear, every time I think these guys can't get any more childishly foolish they do. It's like having a bunch of scheming high school freshmen running the country.
This way, the Medicare mouskateers happily say, the Medicare bill for 2006 will look like its $5.2 billion less than it really is. This will help those folks who are in office pick up a few more votes to stay in office. That $5.2 billion will get tacked onto next year's budget, so we're saving anything, but there's no election next year.
I swear, every time I think these guys can't get any more childishly foolish they do. It's like having a bunch of scheming high school freshmen running the country.
