Republicans cry foul, call for investigation of Biden-Harris admin over Medicare premium offset plan

The Biden-Harris administration’s plan to cover up upcoming increases in Medicare premiums has Republicans in Congress disgusted.

The thing is, the upcoming premium increase is that it’s the Biden-Harris administration’s own fault.

“The spike in premiums follows efforts to reduce what older Americans pay for prescription drugs, part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.– reports Politico. “Insurance companies have to pay what patients paid, and they raise drug premiums to make up the difference.”

The new contributions are expected to go into effect in late September, just months away from a crucial presidential election – one that Democrats desperately want to win.

To prevent skyrocketing premiums from ruining their chances of winning the election, the Biden-Harris administration plans to temporarily subsidize insurers with money from the Medicare trust fund in a so-called Part D premium stabilization demonstration.

Here’s how to do it @JoeBiden @KamalaHarris prevents increases in Medicare drug plan premiums…. WTF!!!! pic.twitter.com/uJRCEhLI0v

— ItzStockChartz (@itzstockchartz) September 21, 2024

Republicans say this is a blatant and unfair election stunt, and they don’t like it.

“This is using the federal treasury for political purposes,” Sen. Bill Cassidy told Politico. “In this way, the executive branch can implement a policy that has very positive political consequences for it, but has a very sketchy legal standing.”

“The Treasury intends to borrow more money for this purpose. I don’t think they were particularly aware of the potential costs of all this. I don’t think it matters to them, but it should matter to us, taxpayers,” he added.

Meanwhile, this week, Senator Rand Paul wrote a letter to the Justice Department warning that the plan could violate the Hatch Act and calling for an investigation.

“My colleagues and I are concerned that the Biden-Harris Administration is misusing taxpayer funds to mask flawed Medicare Part D policies enacted as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 (P.L. 117-169),” it said. writing .

“Given the IRA’s key role in the Biden-Harris administration’s presidential campaign, these concerns warrant additional investigation,” it continued.

He then accused the Biden-Harris administration of “deliberately” pursuing this temporary solution.”solving the problem of rising costs for seniors only in an election year“

Kamala Harris cast the deciding vote in favor of the Inflation Reduction Act, which now raises health care premiums for seniors. Americans deserve to know whether Biden and Harris are now illegally funneling taxpayer funds to insurance companies to hide these premiums… pic.twitter.com/we3hddC58x

— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) September 27, 2024

Paul is not the only person who has expressed concerns. Last month, Reps. Mike Crapo, Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Jason Smith wrote their own letter to U.S. Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, sharply criticizing the planned demonstration.

“In response to problematic elements of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the rushed legislative process, the proposed demonstration uses arbitrary political levers to achieve short-term goals”- they wrote.

“The initiative lacks budget analysis, a clear statutory basis and credible research objectives. The integrity of the Medicare program and the taxpayer dollars that fund its benefits require more than partisan aspirations to justify non-statutory, eleventh hour policy changes– they added.

They further noted that many have warned the Biden-Harris administration that if they sign the Inflation Reduction Act, there will be a sharp increase in Medicare premiums.

“Before the passage of the IRA, numerous policymakers, economists and patient advocates warned that the bill could have harmful consequences, including cost increases for seniors and working families,” they explained.

And it’s no wonder that since the law went into effect, “seniors have experienced limited choice and increased medical costs,” they added.

The Wall Street Journal editorial board also condemned the Biden-Harris administration.

“The insurer payout will reduce announced Part D premiums before the election, but premiums will inevitably increase later” the council wrote in an article published last month. “The administration is now buying votes, but seniors and taxpayers will pay anyway“

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