Medicare Blog

what are the specific cuts to medicare in the proposed tax bill

by Prof. Gaylord Wintheiser MD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

What Medicare cuts are being considered?

Medicare Pay Cuts

  • This is the year to reform Medicare pay, boost telehealth. The AMA scored some wins for doctors in 2021, but big challenges lie ahead this year. ...
  • AMA statement on continuing freeze of Medicare physician payment. ...
  • Jan. ...
  • National Advocacy Conference. ...
  • More work remains to resolve Medicare payment situation. ...
  • 2021 tested doctors even further. ...

How much do Medicare cuts reduce inflation?

We first compute the full effect of the Medicare payment cuts from the 2011 Budget Control Act on overall economy-wide inflation. We find that these cuts, part of the broader federal “budget sequester,” resulted in a decline of 0.24 percentage point in the overall national price level.

What would privatizing Medicare do?

Trump’s Plan To Privatize Medicare

  • A shift toward Medicare privatization. ...
  • Expansion of private contracting would weaken Medicare’s financial safeguards. ...
  • Restriction of seniors’ choice of doctors in Medicare Advantage. ...
  • Savings accounts to benefit the wealthy and healthy. ...
  • Trump sidesteps seniors’ most pressing concerns. ...
  • Conclusion. ...

How will Medicare cuts affect seniors?

The one area of cuts that could actually raise costs for some seniors make up just 11 percent of the proposed Medicare cuts, the analysis finds. Those changes are to a formula in Medicare Part D, Medicare’s prescription drug benefit, and would raise out-of-pocket costs for drugs for some seniors, while lowering costs for others.

image

When will Medicare sequester cuts end?

Various delays were enacted during this public health emergency, with the last pause setting to expire on January 1, 2022. If Congress does not extend the moratorium on the sequester cut prior to 2022, Medicare reimbursements would be cut an additional 2%.

What is pay go 2021?

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, signed into law by President Biden in March, increased spending without offsets to other federal programs. Under statutory Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) rules, any increases to the federal deficit automatically triggers an additional series of acrossthe-board deductions to federal programs. Absent of Congressional action, PAYGO would include up to 4% in reductions to Medicare payment, set to occur on January 1, 2022. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), this 4% cut amounts to $36 billion for Medicare providers, which could have a substantial impact on the delivery of care to our patient community. These Medicare cuts could increase by an additional potential 4% if Congress fails to waive PAYGO on any additional spending packages passed this year.

What the House Passed

The Medicare-related legislation, doesn't do everything APTA and other organizations have asked for, but it comes close. Here's what's in the bill.

The Senate Path

While the House passed the Medicare changes as standalone legislation, the journey the changes will take in the Senate is a little trickier— which could be a good thing. (This is where staying awake in civics class pays off.)

No Guarantees

As with all machinations on Capitol Hill, there's never a sure bet. That's why we need to be ready to advocate for S.610. Stay tuned to APTA — by way of our website, member emails, social media, and the APTA Advocacy Network — for calls to action in the coming days.

This is the year to reform Medicare pay, boost telehealth

The AMA scored some wins for doctors in 2021, but big challenges lie ahead this year. Learn about efforts to fix outdated physician pay models.

AMA statement on continuing freeze of Medicare physician payment

The AMA disagreed with the MedPAC’s recommendation to continue the freeze in Medicare physician fee payments because it threatens patient access to quality care.

Jan. 7, 2022: Advocacy Update spotlight on federal advocacy agenda for 2022

The AMA outlines its federal advocacy agenda for 2022. Learn more in this Advocacy Update spotlight.

AMA fights against Medicare cuts, defending practices & access to care

Learn how AMA fights against Medicare cuts and defends physician practices and patients’ access to care.

Todd Askew shares what physicians need to know about advocacy in 2022

AMA's Moving Medicine series features physician voices and achievements. Learn more in this discussion with Todd Askew about what physicians need to know about advocacy in 2022.

AMA in the News: December 2021

Read media highlights mentioning the American Medical Association for December 2021.

More work remains to resolve Medicare payment situation

Congress took welcome action this month to avert Medicare payment cuts, but additional steps must be taken to provide permanent reform.

How much will Medicare be reduced?

It’s estimated that would create an annual reduction of $25 billion in Medicare spending, starting next year.

What percentage of medical expenses are deducted in the tax cut?

This provision allows families to deduct extraordinary medical expenses that eat up more than 10 percent of their income. The original House bill proposed eliminating this deduction.

Why is the ACA mandate necessary?

Experts have told Healthline that the mandate is necessary because it forces healthier consumers into the insurance pool overseen by ACA marketplaces.

What are the provisions that will have the biggest impact on the healthcare industry?

Without a doubt, the provisions that will have the biggest impact on the healthcare industry are the repeal of the individual mandate and the potential cuts in Medicare spending. The individual mandate is a key component of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It requires everyone to have health insurance.

What is the deduction for 2017?

During those tax years, the deduction will kick in at 7.5 percent of a household’s annual income. After that, it returns to the 10 percent threshold.

What is the cap on interest payments for healthcare?

A story in Modern Healthcare also notes that the tax bill will cap at 30 percent the ability of for-profit healthcare corporations to deduct interest payments. That kicks in next year and will be further restricted beginning in 2022.

Why is the American Hospital Association opposing the tax waiver?

The bill keeps the tax waiver for reduced tuition for graduate students. Medical schools had pushed to preserve this break because it helps make graduate medical studies more affordable.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9