Bush budget cuts hospital funding but silent on Medicare doctor pay
February 15th, 2008 Posted by: Dr. Cox
Washington — President Bush’s fiscal 2009 health budget, with steep Medicare spending cuts as a main highlight, sets the stage for a tough fight with Congress in the months ahead.
The proposal, part of a wider $3.1 trillion plan, is just the first step in this year’s health care budget debate. Health care organizations and congressional Democrats have found a lot not to like. Bush proposes reducing Medicare and Medicaid spending anticipated under current law by $196 billion over five years, with hospitals as the main target. The plan would do nothing to prevent Medicare physician payment cuts.