With every passing day, we keep discovering more and more problems with President Obama’s national health care law. The Associated Press points out the latest glitch:
Government number-crunchers say President Barack Obama’s health care law would let several million middle-class people get nearly free coverage by making them eligible for the Medicaid program for the poor.
The result was discovered by Medicare officials who make long-range cost estimates, after the law was signed.
It would affect about 3 million early retirees. A married couple with an annual income of $64,000 could still get Medicaid. That’s because starting in 2014, their Social Security benefits would no longer count as income.
The administration and Democratic lawmakers say it’s a well-meaning effort to simplify rules. States want relief from Medicaid costs, a top issue in the White House budget talks with Congress.
The result was discovered by Medicare officials who make long-range cost estimates, after the law was signed.
It would affect about 3 million early retirees. A married couple with an annual income of $64,000 could still get Medicaid. That’s because starting in 2014, their Social Security benefits would no longer count as income.
The administration and Democratic lawmakers say it’s a well-meaning effort to simplify rules. States want relief from Medicaid costs, a top issue in the White House budget talks with Congress.
UPDATE: More here.
