By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-976841.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Florida Hospitals are joining a growing group of healthcare providers concerned about federal talks to cut Medicaid and Medicare by more than 100-billion over the next decade. The programs are on the chopping block in Congress as part of a plan to cut the nation's spending and raise the debt limit. Lynn Hatter has more.
According to the Florida Hospital Association, hospitals get about half their income from Medicare and Medicaid. Association president Bruce Rueben says if the proposed spending cuts go through, it would result in higher premiums for people with insurance.
"You're talking about unmet costs, not profit or extra revenue. And that unmet cost has to be covered or else the hospital can't continue to provide services. Each time these cuts are made, the unmet costs become a hidden tax on those with insurance."
Congress is considering eliminating Medicare payments to hospitals to cover debts when people don't pay. It's also looking at scaling back payments to hospitals to cover debts when people don't pay. It's also looking at scaling back payments to teaching hospitals, and reducing the federal share of Medicaid assistance to states to cover low-income people.