The Biden administration’s recent $5 billion Medicare stabilization program, announced in July 2024, has raised significant concerns among lawmakers ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
The program, which is part of a three-year demonstration project by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), aims to stabilize Medicare premiums for seniors.
However, critics argue that this initiative is a politically motivated effort to influence the upcoming election, with Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) at the forefront of the opposition.
In response to the announcement, Sen. Paul has called for an urgent investigation into whether the Biden administration’s actions violate the Hatch Act, which prohibits the use of taxpayer funds to influence elections.
In a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Paul expressed concerns that the $5 billion in subsidies allocated to insurers is a tactic to offset Medicare premium hikes and boost the administration’s standing with voters before November’s election.
“We write to you today seeking additional information on the Biden-Harris Administration’s plan to spend over $5 billion in taxpayer-funded subsidies to insurers to offset Medicare premium increases before the November election,” Sen. Paul stated in his letter to Corey Amundson, the Chief of the Public Integrity Section at the DOJ.
Paul further highlighted that the Biden administration’s move could be an attempt to conceal the negative impacts of Medicare Part D policies introduced under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022.
Paul and his colleagues argue that these policies have contributed to a significant rise in Medicare premiums, with costs surging 21% in 2023 alone.
As premiums are expected to increase again in 2024, Paul finds the timing of the Medicare stabilization program suspicious, calling it a “convenient solution” aimed at addressing an issue just in time for the election.
He suggests that the program is politically motivated and designed to cover up the negative effects of the IRA, which has faced criticism for its impact on healthcare costs.
Paul also questioned the legality of the program, particularly under Section 402 of the Social Security Amendments of 1967, which grants CMS the authority to modify payment methods to improve Medicare’s efficiency.
He argues that the administration’s $5 billion allocation lacks proper research and analysis, making it difficult to justify the initiative as a measure to improve efficiency.
Instead, Paul believes the program is a short-term fix designed to appeal to voters rather than address the underlying issues with Medicare.
Additionally, Paul raised concerns that the Biden administration may be in violation of federal law, specifically 18 U.S.C. § 595, which prohibits public officials from using taxpayer dollars to influence elections.
Paul asserts that the stabilization program is a clear attempt to sway voters by artificially lowering Medicare premiums, making it a direct interference in the election process.
In his letter to the DOJ, Paul requested an immediate investigation into the administration’s actions. He urged the DOJ to examine all communications and records related to the Medicare stabilization program and determine whether Biden-Harris officials may have violated federal law. Paul has asked for the findings to be reported by October 16, 2024.
The controversy surrounding the Medicare stabilization program underscores the broader debate over healthcare policy and election integrity.
While the Biden administration presents the initiative as a necessary step to protect seniors from rising healthcare costs, critics like Sen. Paul view it as an election ploy designed to distract from the administration’s broader policy failures.
As the investigation unfolds, the program’s impact on both Medicare premiums and the 2024 election will be closely watched.
Kamala Harris cast the tie-breaking vote to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which is now driving up seniors’ health care premiums. Americans deserve to know if Biden and Harris are now illegally handing taxpayer funds to insurance companies in order to hide those premium… pic.twitter.com/we3hddC58x
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) September 27, 2024
That sorry POS Biden and the Muslim Obama are out to destroy millions of seniors on purpose, and they give illegals $1,800 a month in Social security which they didn’t pay into a I get a mere $500 a month which will put me in Debt with the increase of Social security.?
I won’t be able to pay for groceries, fuel, or any mortgage when my wife will start receiving Social security..
Rand Paul should not be asking the Communist DOJ to investigate Biden and his clown show of an Administration because the COMMUNIST DOJ will say they haven’t found any wrong doing.!
Instead hire an independent investigation and hold Communist Democrats and the puppet masters Muslim Obama and Soros and The Communist Democrats, accountable. Place them under arrest and put them in prison where they belong.
I don’t know what’s going to happen to my wife and I now should the 5 billions taxpayers money will go to manipulating the 2024 election outcome.
May God strike them all down. America used to be free and prosperous but now the majority are struggling while many are wondering how their going pay bills and many more are losing their jobs and homes.
Correction;
That’s a decrease on Social security and an increase on Medicare.
Michael; I knew what you meant and it’s all more of the same that this Commie Infected Administration has been ramming up America’s Kazoo which is FU and take a good Screw’n because it’s now America LAST as in “Replacement Illegal Invader Migration” where the foreign criminals and bums mean more than you Citizens to us Democrat RINO Commies; all in the name of VOTES and keeping US your RULERS in POWER!
They’re running the Social Security System into the ground and broke for years always robbing the till; now when it’s gone they will tell seniors and “needy Citizens” you’re on your own hit the streets and beg!
Michael; I totally agree with everything you stated here and I knew already that these lying, scheming cut-throat Democrat Deep State Commie Thugs would pull punches and do anything and everything they can do legal or otherwise to cheat and steal as they always do!
The sin above and beyond all of the criminality involved with this current administration is how much damage they have done and will continue to do right up to and after the election is not even the worst of it; because as you said the innocent bystanders, “the citizens” especially on fixed low incomes will be screwed over six ways to Sunday. And so who is actually protecting “We the People” and watching out for our best interests? Rand Paul must do so much more than seek an investigation by the DOJ which is basically flapping his lips in the wind at this point, and people have to be actually prosecuted for all wrongdoing and pay the consequences or if not the government is nothing but a joke on the people!
I pray to Almighty God that His intervention in all of these matters comes swiftly so the table is turned and blessings to the People are pouring out upon them while the evil doers are made to pay all appropriate penalties.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen.
Amen
I pray with you in Jesus’ name
Cathryn Villasenor, God bless you and yours.
Amen.
Thank you.
Agree with you
I truly appreciate you joining in prayer.