Medicare, Obamacare; Let's pretend

More from the Medicare Trustee's Report;

The financial projections shown for the Medicare program  in this report reflect substantial, but very uncertain, cost savings deriving from provisions of the Affordable Care Act [aka, Obamacare]. It is important to note, however, that the improved results for [Medicare] HI and SMI Part B depend in part on the long-range feasibility of the various cost-saving measures in the Affordable Care Act—in particular, the lower increases in Medicare payment rates to most categories of health care providers. Without fundamental change in the current delivery system, these adjustments would probably not be viable indefinitely. 

Less politely, they're nothing but lies;

It is possible that health care providers could improve their productivity, reduce wasteful expenditures, and take other steps to keep their cost growth within the bounds imposed by the Medicare price limitations. For such efforts to be successful in the long range, however, providers would have to generate and sustain unprecedented levels of productivity gains—a very challenging and uncertain prospect. 

Under, Don't Hold Your Breath;

Hopes for success are high, but at this time there is insufficient evidence to support an assumption that improvements in efficiency can occur of the magnitude needed to align with the statutory Medicare price updates. 

Has Barack Obama read this report (signed by Tim Geithner, Kathleen Sebelius, and Hilda Solis)?  We'll bet Paul Ryan has.