The Healthcare Follies Continue

Oh, goody. Now that the bill has passed, we get to find out that it won't cut costs...

Economic experts at the Health and Human Services Department concluded in a report issued Thursday that the health care remake will achieve Obama's aim of expanding health insurance — adding 34 million to the coverage rolls.


But the analysis also found that the law falls short of the president's twin goal of controlling runaway costs, raising projected spending by about 1 percent over 10 years. That increase could get bigger, since Medicare cuts in the law may be unrealistic and unsustainable, the report warned.


It's a worrisome assessment for Democrats.


In particular, concerns about Medicare could become a major political liability in the midterm elections. The report projected that Medicare cuts could drive about 15 percent of hospitals and other institutional providers into the red, "possibly jeopardizing access" to care for seniors.


The report from Medicare's Office of the Actuary carried a disclaimer saying it does not represent the official position of the Obama administration. White House officials have repeatedly complained that such analyses have been too pessimistic and lowball the law's potential to achieve savings.

The White House will also complain later this year when vote counts reveal that more voters rejected their massive health care overhaul than liked it. It appears they're not big fans of reality. Jim Geraghty has a good list of the Democrats who are probably hating this report the most right now.