WASHINGTON – Thanks to U.S. Representative Paul Hodes’ (D-NH) rubberstamp support for President Obama’s contentious health spending bill in Washington, new details continue to emerge regarding the damaging effects of this new law, which cuts Medicare by $500 billion and will reduce benefits and raise costs for New Hampshire seniors.

The Wall Street Journal reports:

Many insurance companies are planning to increase costs for a range of services for seniors next year, according to consultants who have helped prepare their bids. Dozens of Medicare Advantage providers plan to cut back vision, dental and prescription benefits. Some plans are eliminating free teeth cleanings and gym memberships, and raising fees for hearing aides [sic], eye glasses and emergency-room visits…

This news comes on the heels of a recent government report from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that the Democrats’ bill would cost even more than Democrats like Hodes originally claimed. The Obama Administration’s own Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) also reported that the new law will raise some premiums, despite the Democrats’ promises to the contrary.

Earlier this year, another HHS report found that Hodes’ new health care law will break another Democrat promise by failing to control runaway costs. According to the Associated Press, the report also warned that Medicare cuts may be unrealistic and unsustainable, driving about 15 percent of hospitals into the red and “possibly jeopardizing access” to care for seniors.

“Once again, New Hampshire voters are reminded that Paul Hodes put President Obama’s priorities before his constituents’ best interests when he voted to ram this health spending bill into law,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokeswoman Amber Marchand.  “There’s no doubt that New Hampshire voters will hold Hodes accountable when they elect a Republican as their next U.S. Senator this November.”