Sue Nelson (invited), Senate Budget Committee Democratic Caucus, United States Senate, 624 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510, (202) 224-0642, ramonc@sfsu.edu

The Medicare Modernization Act may accelerate the decline of Medicare’s financial solvency at such a rate that it may contribute to large cuts in Medicare payments to hospitals and other components of the US health care delivery system. The cuts could induce providers to shift costs to the private insurers, aggravating their fiscal situation. In light of the 2004 elections, the prospects for Medicare rates

Learning Objectives:

• a better understanding of the prospects of FY ’06 Medicare rates for hospitals and other health care providers

Keywords: Medicare, Health Care Politics

Related Web page: budget.senate.gov/democratic/

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.