The first set of the much-anticipated CBO numbers are out <http://www.politico.com/livepulse/0310/CBO_numbers.html> : 1. CUTS THE DEFICIT Cuts the deficit by $130 billion in the first ten years (2010 2019). Cuts the deficit by $1.2 trillion in the second ten years. 1. REINS IN WASTEFUL MEDICARE COSTS AND EXTENDS THE SOLVENCY OF MEDICARE; CLOSES THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG DONUT HOLE Reduces annual growth in Medicare expenditures by 1.4 percentage points per yearwhile improving benefits and lowering costs for seniors. Extends Medicare's solvency by at least 9 years. 1. EXPANDS AND IMPROVES HEALTH COVERAGE FOR MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES Expands health insurance coverage to 32 million Americans Helps guarantee that 95 percent of Americans will be covered. 1. IS FULLY PAID FOR Is fully paid for costs $940 billion over a decade. (Americans spend nearly $2.5 trillion each year on health care now and nearly two-thirds of the bill's cost is paid for by reducing health care costs). This gives wavering Democrats a firm reason to vote yes. Will the final dominos start falling today? Update: As noted <http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/03/cbo_health-care_ref\ orm_bill_cu.html> by Ezra Klein: ... that's more deficit reduction than either the House or Senate bill, and more coverage than the Senate bill. http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/3/18/847405/-CBO-Numbers-Are-Out
