Rural Lawmakers Hold Key to Medicare Bill

[dusty64]

Another group against the gutting of Medicare. It can be stopped if we all join together.

Wed Nov 19, 3:41 AM ET


By MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Backers of a Medicare prescription drug bill say billions of dollars for rural doctors and hospitals will be critical for drawing the support of rural lawmakers in both parties.



Health and Human Services (news - web sites) Secretary Tommy Thompson said the increase in payments to rural doctors and hospitals, estimated to be at least $25 billion in the $400 billion Medicare package, "is the most equitable reimbursement system I have seen."


The legislation would mark the largest single expansion of Medicare since the program's creation in 1965.


It would add a prescription drug benefit, with hefty subsidies for low-income seniors. Plus, the legislation would create a new opportunity for insurance companies to offer seniors a choice in their health care. Seniors could remain with the traditional system or enroll in managed care plans, such as preferred provider organizations.


For the most part, say aides for lawmakers in both houses, many rank-and-file lawmakers are just beginning to focus on the legislation, which has been the subject of secretive House-Senate negotiations for months.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=512&ncid=703&e=8&u=/ap/20031119/ap_on_go_co/medicare

[dusty64]

1. Another rotten idea

that needs to be stopped.