Role of (Bi)Partisanship

Partisanship in Congess

Currently, Congress is split on the issue of Medicare and the funding of medicare. Republicans believe that Medicare can be cut in order to reduce the deficiet, but those cuts can be made up by creating a voucher system and by raising the age of automatic Medicare. Democrats also approve cuts in Medicare (most recently to the Affordable Care Act), but believe cuts should be made towards Medicare Advantage. Democrats believe that GOP-backed policies direct more funding on average per beneficiary to Medicare Advantage, which can be used for extra perks, like gym memberships and free eyeglasses.
 

Republicans 

  • Give older Americans access to the insurance plan Congress has, including medical savings accounts. 
  • Build on the strengths of the free market system, offer seniors real choices
  • Provide incentives for the private sector to develop drugs. 
  • Reduce the administrative complexities. 
  • Provide reimbursement at levels that will permit providers to continue to care for patients

Democrats

  • oppose any efforts to privatize or voucherize Medicare
  • uses the government’s purchasing power to lower drug costs
  • ensure access to new therapies for their illnesses.
 

Bipartisianship efforts in Congress

The Better Care, Lower Cost Act

  • Bipartisan effort in Congress
  • U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and U.S. Representatives Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., and Peter Welch, D-Vt.
  • establish an integrated chronic care delivery program that promotes accountability and better care management for chronically ill patient populations and coordinates items and services under Medicare parts A, B, and D, 
  • also encourages investment in redesigned care processes that result in high quality and efficient service delivery for the most vulnerable population
The Better Care, Lower Cost Act is currently being reviewed in committee after being introduced on January 15th, 2014. (as current as April 23, 2014)
 

The Partnership for the Furture of Medicare

  • Bi-partisan organization
  • focuses on ensuring the long-term security of Medicare
  • Recently sent a letter to the Center of Medicare & Medicaid Services urging the Medicare agency to protect seniors by maintaing current Medicare Advantage payment levels in 2015
    •   The letter was signed by an array of stakeholder groups (Alliance for Aging Research, Population Health Alliance, Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare, Healthcare Leadership Council etc.)