Obama Proposes $17 Billion in Budget Cuts, Pprograms for the Elderly

by Administrator 8. May 2009 04:52
McKnight's Long-Term Care News - President Obama on Thursday proposed cuts of $17 billion from his new budget for both discretionary spending and entitlement programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. Various interest groups are expected to spar over which of 121 federal programs being eliminated or significantly curtailed should be spared.

Long-term care operators might worry most, however, about White House Budget Director Peter Orszag's comment that more budget-cutting efforts are needed,  "especially curbing the growth of the Medicare and Medicaid health care programs for the elderly and the poor."

According to Obama's budget proposal, some targeted programs would yield savings of less than $1 million, while other programs would net hundreds of millions in saved resources, according to the Obama administration. Officials indicated more proposed cuts could be on the way.

That still might not satisfy some critics who allege proposed gross overspending by the Obama administration. At the White House press briefing Thursday morning, laughter erupted when one reporter loudly pointed out that the proposed savings constitute less than one half of 1% of the overall budget proposal. Others have noted that many of Obama's proposed cuts have been recommended many times before, only to be ignored by Congress.

Be the first to rate this post

  • Currently 0/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Tags:

Aging Successfully | Demographics & Aging | Finance | Gerontology / Geriatrics | Social Security / Medicare

E-mail | Kick it! | DZone it! | del.icio.us
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post RSSRSS comment feed

Comments

About the Author

John Rothbarth is the owner of the St. Louis Times, a media company focused on serving the informational needs of the St. Louis metro-area aging baby boomer/60+ population. The company publishes the St. Louis Times Resource Guide, St. Louis Times Express, and hosts St. Louis Times Funfest and St. Louis Times Geriatrics Symposium events. The company was founded in 1994 and has remained true to its original mission of 'doing some good for older adults and the professionals who work on their behalf.'

Since 1994 the company has won over 20 National Media Awards. He has participated on many local Boards of Directors, all of whom cater to the needs of our area’s aging population. For 2009 he is also President of Breakthrough Coalition, a consortium of over 250 aging-focused organizations and  professionals dedicated to serving the needs of older adults in the St. Louis / Illinois bi-state area.

John is a native St. Louisan, father of two sons, and graduate of the University of Missouri - Columbia with a BS degree in Business Administration. His interests include reading mysteries, jogging, motorcycling, and aviation - he is a pilot with instrument, multi-engine and seaplane ratings.

Tag cloud

Page List

Disclaimer
The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in anyway.

© Copyright 2012 St. Louis Times