Leslie Norwalk, Strategic Counsel to Epstein Becker & Green and EBG Advisors, was quoted on a recent move in the Senate Finance Committee to soften the impact of planned cuts in government funding for private Medicare health plans.
The article, "As Congress Moves To Cut Medicare Advantage Funding, Some Seniors Could Get Reprieve," stated that under the committee's health overhaul bill, so-called Medicare Advantage plans that serve seniors in South Florida, New York City and other states would receive breaks in the coming years. The committee would cut $117 billion over 10 years from the plans, shifting $10 billion of that amount to protect beneficiaries temporarily in parts of 13 states and to reward high-quality plans.
Insurers said temporary protections for selected areas would lessen the impact on seniors.
Lawmakers would benefit, too. "It makes the cuts politically more palatable," said Norwalk.
