A new brochure contended to explain facade of the new health care law signed by President Barack Obama, mailed to Medicare recipients by the Department of Health and Human Services has been strongly criticized by the Senate Republicans. In a speech on the Senate floor, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell described the mailed document, as an “outrage”.
 

This is nothing short of Government propaganda, paid for by the taxpayer, said McConnell. The administration’s own actuary at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) say, seniors who use Medicare Advantage will lose benefits as a result of this bill. Yet the flyer they’re putting out says nothing about this. Instead, it implies nothing will change for these seniors.

The new law outlined in the brochure includes claims to benefit seniors and says Medicare recipients will experience no changes in coverage. The brochure was produced and mailed at taxpayer expense.

“The Affordable Care Act passed by Congress and signed by President Obama this year will provide you and your family greater savings and increased quality health care”, the brochure claims. “These are needed improvements that will keep Medicare strong and solvent. Your guaranteed Medicare benefits won’t change—whether you get them through Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. Instead, you will see new benefits and cost savings, and an increased focus on quality to ensure that you get the care you need”.

In a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sent on May 26, McConnell and fellow Republican Senators Jon Kyl (AZ), Lamar Alexander (TN), John Thune (SD), Charles Grassley (IA), Tom Coburn (OK), Mike Enzi (WY), and John Barrasso (WY) demanded Sibelius report who commissioned the letter and approved the expenditure to mail it.