Medicare Czar, Anyone? White House Wants More Power

The White House wants to set up yet another "independent advisory board" not accountable or answerable to anyone but to the President. If its recommendations are approved by the President, Congress can either approve them all or reject all. (Do you still think the United States is a democracy?)

White House wants more power to set Medicare rates
(7/17/09, AP via Breitbart.com)

"The White House is asking Congress to give the executive branch more power to limit Medicare's rising costs.

"A White House letter to top lawmakers on Friday said the move would be "a critical step forward" in controlling health care costs and providing better care.

"The proposal would allow an independent advisory board to recommend changes in Medicare reimbursement rates for doctors, hospitals and other providers. If the president approved the recommendations, Congress could still vote to reject them altogether. But Congress could not approve some recommendations and reject others.

"Currently, Medicare reimbursement rates vary from region to region. Key lawmakers often get involved in setting local rates, a practice the Obama administration plan would end. "

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