“Republican Rep. Darrell Issa has threatened to subpoena the Department of Health and Human Services if it does not turn over documents by Thursday on a program he claims is being used to “buy” the election by hiding the effects of ObamaCare.”
“His office effectively is accusing the department of stringing them along in their months-old request for documents about an $8 billion program that pays bonuses to Medicare Advantage plans.”
“Issa claims the bonus program is being used to mask the first round of Medicare Advantage cuts in connection with the health care overhaul — in order to win favor with seniors. He said in a recent letter that “the only plausible explanation” for the program is that it’s being used as a “temporary bandage” to cover up cuts, “realizing the political danger” of those cuts in an election year.”
“The congressman further says the effects of ObamaCare’s $200 billion in Medicare Advantage cuts over the next decade would have been felt starting this week — if not for the bonus payments”
“Earlier this year, the Government Accountability Office recommended that the Obama administration kill the bonus payment program — questioning the legal authority behind the system.”
Issa threatens subpoena this week over ObamaCare documents
By Judson Berger
October 18, 2012
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/10/17/issa-threatens-subpoena-this-week-over-obamacare-docs/