The Federal Medicare Program For Public Integrity

Author Donald A Barr defines the Medicare program. â€Å"The federal Medicare program is our system of universal health insurance for everyone sixty-five years old or older paid through a general withholding tax† (Barr 131). Unfortunately, the United States Medicare system is financially unstable. â€Å"Medicare is spending more money than they are bringing in†¦Policymakers are looking at several different options that will alter the Medicare program significantly† (WPC 2). In turn, a high number of companies and organizations are investing their time and revenue into lobbying to make healthcare changes. Joe Eaton from the Center for Public Integrity shares â€Å"More than 1,750 corporations and organizations hired about 4,525 lobbyists — eight for each member of Congress — to influence health reform bills in 2009† (Eaton). The objective for special interest groups is to pull financial resources together to be a force of influence. Granted ther e is strength in numbers, for example, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) â€Å"deployed fifty-six in-house lobbyists and two from outside firms to work the issue on behalf of its members. Also, American Medical Association (AMA), â€Å"spent $20 million overall in 2009 lobbying Congress on behalf of doctors† (Eaton). The AMA was successful in removing a $300 fee for physicians that participate in Medicare and Medicaid. Furthermore, the AMA advocated for budget cuts for higher income Medicare subscribers and payment cuts for Medicare biller’sShow MoreRelatedMedicaid Fraud1530 Words   |  7 Pagescommit Medicaid fraud through false billing. 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