HHS Secretary Sebelius admits to double-counting in Obamacare budget

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Daily Caller:

During a hearing on Capitol Hill Thursday, the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) admitted to double-counting in the Obamacare budget.

In her first appearance before the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee since the health-care law passed, Kathleen Sebelius responded to a line of questioning by Republican Rep. John Shimkus of Illinois about whether $500 billion in Medicare cuts were used to sustain the program or pay for the law.

“There is an issue here on the budget because your own actuary has said you can’t double-count,” said Shimkus. “You can’t count — they’re attacking Medicare on the CR when their bill, your law, cut $500 billion from Medicare.”

He continued: “Then you’re also using the same $500 billion to what? Say your funding health care. Your own actuary says you can’t do both. […] What’s the $500 billion in cuts for? Preserving Medicare or funding the health-care law?

Sebelius’ reply? “Both.”

The Obama administration and HHS have been criticized previously for double-counting. In a report last summer, HHS claimed a provision in the health-care law would extend the Medicare trust fund by 12 years. The Congressional Budget Office released a memo that said HHS’s math was more than a little off.
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Cooking the books, Obama style...

[Pepper]

The sad news about this item is that is really not news.

[SrWoodchuck]

Another Department, where the Czar should be deposed & figuratively executed & the whole shebang....pared to the bone.

[Valin]

I'M SHOCKED!!!

[SrWoodchuck]

I'M SHOCKED!!!

Valin!

 

Settle, sir.......going all caps, is not necessary.

[Valin]

I'M SHOCKED!!!

Valin!

 

Settle, sir.......going all caps, is not necessary.

 

 

I never saw this coming. Oh sure I'd read on some ultra radical extreme right wing sites that want to bring down the greatest president the world has eve known, that this was going on, but reliable sources like the Daily Kos, HuffPo, and Paul Krugman said it was all a lie, so you can understand my shock and amazement.

[SrWoodchuck]

I'M SHOCKED!!!

Valin!

 

Settle, sir.......going all caps, is not necessary.

 

 

I never saw this coming. Oh sure I'd read on some ultra radical extreme right wing sites that want to bring down the greatest president the world has eve known, that this was going on, but reliable sources like the Daily Kos, HuffPo, and Paul Krugman said it was all a lie, so you can understand my shock and amazement.

Valin!

 

I see. You can be forgiven for "popping a few caps" then.

[clearvision]

Not sure this is exactly on topic, but did not want to start a new article for it.

 

Labor Secretary Hilda Solis took part in a Communications Workers of America conference call Wednesday night in which she expressed her strong support for unions fighting Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's proposed budget. "Let's keep fighting," Solis told CWA president Larry Cohen and thousands of CWA shop stewards listening to the call.

 

"I'm very excited to hear about the enthusiasm that's going on in Wisconsin and around the country," Solis said. "I am so inspired and proud of all of you, especially those who went down to Wisconsin and also around the country."

[pollyannaish]

 

 

 

Suprise. Suprise. Suprise.

[Valin]

Not sure this is exactly on topic, but did not want to start a new article for it.

 

Labor Secretary Hilda Solis took part in a Communications Workers of America conference call Wednesday night in which she expressed her strong support for unions fighting Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's proposed budget. "Let's keep fighting," Solis told CWA president Larry Cohen and thousands of CWA shop stewards listening to the call.

 

"I'm very excited to hear about the enthusiasm that's going on in Wisconsin and around the country," Solis said. "I am so inspired and proud of all of you, especially those who went down to Wisconsin and also around the country."

 

 

As are we all Hilda! As are we all.