But even with that weakness, this bill needs to pass so that Congress can start the politically difficult task of wringing unjustified subsidies from the most inefficient private Medicare plans.
In persons 65 years or older, random digit dialing was observed to be inefficient, so Medicare eligibility lists were used to identify controls.
"There are more uninsured, the hospitals are inefficient, and every year, Medicare and Medicaid hold down on increases to cover rising medical costs," she said.
(page seven) But although Medicare is inefficient and does need to be reformed, enacting Ryan's plan would be particularly dangerous for a large segment of our society.
In effect, Mr. Obama says he can cut bloated Medicare payments to inefficient health care providers without adversely affecting any beneficiaries.
"We all understand that the old Medicare system is a very inefficient way to provide care," said Mr. Santorum, the chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, the formal organization of the 51 Republican senators.
These vouchers would quickly become incapable of purchasing equivalent coverage, given the typical rates of medical inflation, and Medicare recipients would be dependent on the inefficient, rapacious, and confusing world of private insurance for their care.
No matter how hard private employers try to move away from fee-for-service, Medicare keeps pouring ever-larger sums into the inefficient fee-for-service approach.
That has inflamed opposition from the White House and Senate Republicans who seem determined to protect inefficient private plans from the rigors of competing fairly against traditional Medicare coverage.
Democrats don't like Medicare Part C because they think private insurance companies are inefficient and overcharge for their insurance.
