President Obama and Congressional leaders have yet to reach a deficit-reduction deal to avert two-percent across-the-board Medicare cuts. The political wrangling continues as ideas have been put forth and rejected by all sides. Proposals, such as Simpson-Bowles, have been brought out for debate. 

Doctors, hospitals, insurers and other health care providers would be subject to the cuts if Congress fails to act before March 1. Some parts of the government are subject to bigger cuts, while others, such as Medicaid, are exempt.

But if a deficit reduction deal is reached it could still result in cuts to Medicare. Providers may not escape unscathed in such a deal and it could have a direct impact on beneficiaries. President Obama is open to increasing the Medicare Part B and D premiums paid by higher-income beneficiaries, while House Speaker John Boehner proposed raising the Medicare eligibility age from 65- to 67-years-old during the fiscal-cliff standoff last December.

Obama urged Congress at a White House speech Tuesday to come up with, at the very least, a short-term agreement that buys time until the federal government arrives at a permanent fix. 

The Medicare NewsGroup has published numerous resources to help journalists understand the sequestration's impact on Medicare:

MNG Sequestration FAQs

What Is Sequestration?

How Did We Arrive at Sequestration?

What Does Sequestration Mean to Medicare?

How Will the Sequestration Cuts Affect the Health Care Industry?

What Is Means Testing?

Is Raising Taxes the Only Method That Congress is Considering to Cover Future Medicare Expenses?

What Medicare Services May Be Cut During the Deficit Reduction Process?

How Much Does Medicare Cost? How Much Is It Expected to Cost in the Future?

How is Medicare Spending Related to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)?

What Percentage of Federal Outlays Does Medicare Represent?

How Does Medicare Compare to Social Security in Federal Spending?

What Are the Key Drivers of Medicare Spending Growth?

MNG Understanding Medicare

With Second Term Underway and Budget Battle Ahead, Obama’s Medicare Legacy Is Not Yet Written

Budget Targets Drive Current Medicare Reform Agenda

MNG Beyond the Sound Bite

Fact/Fiction: Raising the Medicare Eligibility Age Would Save the Program Money

Fact/Fiction: Medicare Beneficiaries Pay the Same Amount for Medicare, Regardless of How Much Money They Have

Fact/Fiction: Medicare Beneficiaries Would Have the Same Access to Health Care Services If Payments to Providers Are Cut

Fact/Fiction: Medicare Is Politically Immune to Budgetary Reduction

MNG Blog Entries Covering Previous Budget Battles

What Is the Fiscal Cliff?

What Part Does Medicare Play in the Fiscal Cliff Discussions?

A Look at Medicare Costs and Cuts in the Fiscal Cliff Deal

Fiscal Cliff Discussions, Looming Cuts Have Medicare Providers Facing Double Whammy

Driving Off the Fiscal Cliff: How Will Beneficiaries, Providers Fare If We Fall?

Docs Spared From Fee Cuts in Fiscal Cliff Deal, But Say Permanent Fix Needed