Lubbock Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Budget Committee Health Care Task Force (HCTF) convened for a second member roundtable on Tuesday, March 12, to delve into the budgetary implications of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). Chaired by Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), the HCTF examined how CMMI, initially intended to save tax dollars, has instead contributed to the nation's mounting debt.

During the roundtable, Director Phillip Swagel of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Demetrios Kouzoukas of Paragon Health Institute, a former head of the Medicare program under the Trump administration, joined HCTF members to analyze the recent CBO report. The report revealed that CMMI has not achieved the projected tax dollar savings and has, in fact, added billions to the national debt.

In a concerning revelation, it was disclosed that between 2011 and 2020, CMMI alone escalated the debt by $5.4 billion and is anticipated to incur an additional $1.3 billion in costs by 2030.

Furthermore, it was highlighted during discussions that CMMI did not fully utilize its initial $10 billion funding before receiving an additional $10 billion in 2020. This surplus funding allowed the agency to operate without requiring Congressional approval, raising questions about financial oversight.

The HCTF underscored the importance of implementing reforms to curtail federal health care spending and enhance patient access to quality and affordable health care. With CMMI set to receive $10 billion in mandatory funding every decade indefinitely, policymakers are urged to conduct thorough oversight and evaluate the efficacy and costs of such programs that have significant financial implications.

As the HCTF remains dedicated to seeking solutions to enhance patient outcomes and reduce federal health spending, the examination of mandatory federal health spending and CBO's policy analyses continues to be a top priority in efforts to address the escalating financial challenges within the healthcare sector.