Lower premiums for Medicare Advantage plans?

A quote from a newspaper article:

“Thanks to the Affordable Care Act … on average, Medicare Advantage premiums will go down next year and seniors will enjoy more free benefits and cheaper prescription drugs,” Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a release.

The Affordable Care Act has led to average premium declines for the second year in a row: 2012 premiums are projected to be 11.5 percent below 2010 premiums.

You see, there is nothing in the Affordable Care Act that lowers costs for these plans which is quite different from lowering premiums. In fact, the Act lowers payments to these plans and increases some benefits thus increasing costs. Some plans have dropped from participation.

Think of it this way, real Medicare Part B premiums are $115.00 while the law limits many people to $96.00 … temporarily …