House Dems open to Medicare deal, despite concerns

House Democrats say they are open to supporting an emerging Medicare deal despite concerns about provisions that would make some beneficiaries pay more. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has been in negotiations with Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) over a permanent stop to automatic spending cuts for doctors under Medicare known as the Sustainable Growth Rate. There had been concerns brewing among some Democrats about ways to pay for the deal, including making wealthier Medicare beneficiaries pay more and introducing a deductible for some supplemental Medigap plans. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), co-chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said on Tuesday that he would oppose the deal as it then stood, citing the changes for beneficiaries. The AARP also opposed the deal in a letter to lawmakers on Tuesday.