Proposed Medicare Cut

An article that I recently read that was written by two men, Tim Graves and Bruce Yarwood, really got my attention. I found this article in the opinion-based section of the Austin American Statesmen. The title of this article is “Medicare Cuts threaten Texas’ vulnerable nursing home residents” and it was published on Aug. 23, 2007. These men address the growing concern over a proposed Medicare cut. This cut would happen if a proposed bill was passed by the House. Those who support this new bill are the Children’s Health and Medicare Protection Act of 2007(CHAMP Act). So if this CHAMP act was passed, it has been revealed that it would sharply cut Medicare funding to America’s seniors by 168 million over 5 years. If it is passed and becomes law, The State of Texas would take a big hit in numbers compared to other states Medicare plans. Texas would suffer the 4th largest cut in the nation in conjunction with having the 4th lowest Medicaid reimbursement rate in the nation. CHAMP is for the new bill and states that it “will help America’s Greatest Generation of Seniors.” Graves and Yarwood state that this will “undermine the future viability and capacity of our long term care infrastructure just as baby boomers are beginning to enter retirement in large numbers.” They believe that passing the bill would seize provider’s efforts to modernize and refurbish aging facilities and equipment. The crazy thing about the whole thing is that senior citizens are the fastest growing group in the United States. Graves and Yarwood’s opinions are against this bill, and that influential lawmakers should help put this bill to a stop before it becomes a law. I believe these two gentlemen were right on target with their opinion on this new “cut”. They support their argument with some good facts and stats on the issue. Cutting Medicare would have a pretty strong shift in the economy. Putting a halt on Medicare would put a halt on the many investments that should be made into nursing homes and development. Like the two men stated, we strongly need the help of State Representatives to help overturn this bill. I do not believe this new bill would help senior citizens at all, but just make the situation much worse. I wouldn’t want to have my grandparents Medicare to be cut. This bill affects all of our families, and how we live our lives. If the bill is passed, the mindset of many seniors who plan on retiring would change greatly. Much stress would be put on seniors, and the younger generation that needs to look after their parents. Graves and Yarwood write a pretty strong opinion that is backed up with many supporting facts. If you too want to read this very good article, go to

Statesman.com