A $120 million budget deficit projected for the fiscal year that began July 1 has set off an ideological debate over the future of Maine's
The deficit itself, however, is mostly the result of a series of technical budgeting miscalculations, according to a report prepared by the LePage administration.
Problems with a new claims processing system, a loss of federal funds that wasn't accounted for, and a failure to budget for increases in federal Medicare premiums are among the biggest causes.
Dr. Donald Berwick’s forced retirement after heading Medicare and Medicaid for 17 months is an unnecessary loss to the country, but his departing advice can help Americans understand how their health system is being improved.
He served on a recess appointment that dodged Senate conformation but expires December 31. President Barack Obama could not renominate him because 42 Republican senators had pledged a successful filibuster. Maine’s two Republican senators, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, had the good judgment to stay out of that stampede.
In a final interview with the New York Times, Dr. Berwick said 20 to 30 percent of health spending is a “waste” that yields no benefit to patients.
Waste is a broad term, including needless medical procedures, failure of adequate preventive measures, duplication and inefficiency, as well as outright fraud.
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