Medicare Bill Cost Estimates

Rep. Waxman and other Democratic leaders have initiated an investigation into the Administration’s withholding of cost estimates from Congress during congressional consideration of the Medicare prescription drug legislation – estimates which revealed that the measure will cost taxpayers $140 billion more than had been anticipated. (Last Updated Sept. 8, 2004)

Latest News

Members Demand Answers on Suppression of Medicare Cost Estimates

Senate Democratic Leader Daschle, House Democratic Leader Pelosi, Rep. Waxman, and eleven other congressional leaders renew their request for a congressional investigation into whether the White House authorized the withholding of the Medicare cost estimates from Congress.

HHS IG Summary Fails to Answer Critical Questions

Reps. Waxman, Dingell, Rangel, Stark and Sherrod Brown ask that the acting IG and staff investigators meet with them to discuss the scope, focus, and results of their investigation into the withholding of the Medicare cost estimates.

Failure to Investigate Withholding of Medicare Cost Estimates is Dereliction of Constitutional Duties

In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Frist and Speaker Hastert, Senate Democratic Leader Daschle, House Democratic Leader Pelosi, Rep. Waxman, and ten other congressional leaders call the failure to investigate the Administration’s withholding of Medicare cost estimates from Congress a gross abdication of Congress’ constitutional oversight responsibility. In a letter to the President, the members ask the President to provide complete answers to straightforward questions on his role in the matter.

Members File Suit To Force Administration To Release Medicare Cost Estimates

All 19 members of the Government Reform Committee minority file suit against the Secretary of Health and Human Services to compel the Administration to release cost estimates prepared by the HHS Actuary during congressional consideration of Medicare reform legislation.

HHS Refuses to Release Medicare Cost Estimates

All 19 minority members of the Committee write Secretary Thompson to protest HHS's obstruction of their investigation into the withholding of the cost data. The members officially expand their Seven Member request to include the communications between HHS and congressional leadership.

Rep. Waxman Asks for Hearings on Medicare Cost Estimates, Threatens Suit over Documents

In a letter to Chairman Davis, Rep. Waxman requests a hearing on the allegations that the HHS Actuary was told he would be fired if he shared with Congress estimates on the true costs of the Medicare prescription drug proposal. In a letter to HHS Secretary Thompson, Rep. Waxman threatens legal action under the "Seven Member Rule" if the Secretary continues to refuse to release the cost estimates.

Members Demand Information on Medicare Cost Estimates

In response to reports that the true cost of the Medicare prescription drug legislation was concealed, 19 committee members demand the release of the cost estimates prepared by the Administration during congressional consideration of the legislation.

Administration Asked to Release Medicare Cost Estimates

Ranking Members Waxman, Rangel, and Dingell ask HHS to release cost estimates prepared by the Administration during congressional consideration of the Medicare prescription drug legislation.

Displaying Items 1 to 8 of 8:

Previous Page • Next Page

[1]