Hoyer objects to Medicare cost control plan

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said he disagrees with President Obama's support of transferring Congress's price-setting powers over Medicare to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), which now acts as an advisory panel, USA Today reports.

In a letter to senators Wednesday, Obama floated support for the idea: "Under this approach, MedPAC's recommendations on cost reductions would be adopted unless opposed by a joint resolution of the Congress."

USA Today quotes Hoyer: "I don't think there is great enthusiasm for a take-it-or-leave-it proposal coming out of some commission."  It's no surprise that Hoyer rejects the proposal, health policy expert Kenneth Thorpe told the paper: "Congress never likes to give up power" (Schouten, 6/5).