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Article: Obama Eyes The Purse Strings for Medicare; Lawmakers Now Win Friends at Home by Setting Payout Rates
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- July 16, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2009 The Washington Post. This material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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At the same time President Obama is asking members of Congress to
take one of the most politically difficult votes of their careers,
he is also pressing lawmakers to give up one of their most valued
perks of office: boosting Medicare payments to benefit hometown
providers.
Setting reimbursement rates for local hospitals, doctors, home
health-care centers and other providers is a legislative ritual that
amounts to one of the most effective and lucrative forms of
constituent service. Delivering federal money through Medicare, the
country's largest insurance program, can be a powerful tool on the
campaign trail, allowing lawmakers to argue that they are creating
jobs and improving the quality ...