The United States House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to delay legislation that would have instituted competitive bidding on medical equipment that is provided to elderly and disabled Americans.
It appears that the Senate leaders are leaning toward supporting the delay.
What does this mean?
It means that wheelchairs, hospital beds, diabetic test kits and other medical equipment will continue to cost the government far more than it should – bloating the system with waste, costing the government and tax payers too much.
The New York Times reported today in an editorial that this legislation would save beneficiaries (seniors with Medicare) 26 percent on their co-payments and Medicare would save $125 million in the first year and as much as $1 billion a year if the program went nation-wide.
Mmmmm… How would you spend your own personal savings? Can you think of a use for $1 billion a year?
Apparently congress has bowed to pressure from the companies who lost the bids. The big money lobbyists win again!
Seniors and all Americans need to care about the financial health of Medicare because it is one of our nations’ greatest costs and a most treasured resource. But, we won’t be able to sustain this program if Medicare does not become more efficient
Contact Your Senator and Congressperson
If you are interested in contacting your Senator or Representative about this legislation, you can locate their information here:
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House of Representatives: https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml
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Senate: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm