Congressman
Henry E. Brown, Jr.

Democrats have persistently claimed that their plans for health care reform would save money by lowering health care costs. That is an excellent goal, and one we all share. Unfortunately for the Democrats, the Director of the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) says their claims don’t match up with reality:

“The health care overhauls released to date would increase, not reduce, the burgeoning long-term health costs facing the government, Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Elmendorf said Thursday.” (CQ Politics, 7/16/09)

ABC News has the full exchange that took place today between CBO Director Doug Elmendorf and Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND). Here’s a snippet.

CONRAD: From what you have seen from the products of the committees that have reported, do you see a successful effort being mounted to bend the long-term cost curve?

ELMENDORF: No, Mr. Chairman.  In the legislation that has been reported we do not see the sort of fundamental changes that would be necessary to reduce the trajectory of federal health spending by a significant amount.  And on the contrary, the legislation significantly expands the federal responsibility for health care costs.

So much for that talking point. Your move, Democrats.

Posted by Brown Staff (07-16-2009, 04:03 PM) filed under Health Care

 

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