How Health Reform Saves Consumers and Taxpayers Money – ah, not so much

As you know from reading this blog, I have some doubts that the PPACA will do anything to control health care costs.  I have presented my reasons in numerous posts, but many people, mostly on the left, see it another way.  The Center for American Progress is one example of another view.  They have a new paper entitled How Health Reform Saves Consumers and Taxpayers Money

I read their report and find it amazing that the title is not supported by the content.  It is more of the same and fails to address the real issues.  How will PPACA affect the 170 million Americans with employer-based coverage and the 45 million Americans with Medicare?  The report mentions the CBO estimates, but fails to mention that CBO also says that there is substantial uncertainty in the estimates and they are based on each element of PPACA being implemented and left alone by Congress.  In fact, the CBO report says that large employer based plans may save $200 per year by 2018 over what would have happened in the face of no legislation (small groups are projected to spend more).  One wonders about that given that just the adult children to age 26 provision is estimate to add 1% to the cost of coverage. Several other changes are adding to the cost of employer-based coverage and to their administration.  I wonder what the Center thinks it costs to add the value of health benefits on W-2s beginning in 2011.

Sorry folks I have not changed my mind, but don’t take my word for it, read the paper yourself and see how the changes under PPACA save you money.