A Real Choice on Medicare

We know it is not how most people want to spend their time, but Americans need to give a close reading to the Democrats’ and Republicans’ plans for Medicare reform. There are stark differences that will profoundly affect all of our lives — and clear political choices to come.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/24/opinion/24sun1.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=print

Republicans facing tough questions over Medicare overhaul in budget plan

By Peter Wallsten, Friday, April 22, 8:35 PM

Anxiety is rising among some Republicans over the party’s embrace of a plan to overhaul Medicare, with GOP lawmakers already starting to face tough questions on the issue at town hall meetings back in their districts.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/republicans-facing-tough-questions-over-medicare-overhaul-in-budget-plan/2011/04/22/AFjSRgRE_print.html

The following proposal contains a huge fallacy - "hidden in plain sight". Can you guess what it is?

April 23, 2011

A Slogan, Not a Plan

By RAMESH PONNURU and YUVAL LEVIN

REPUBLICANS have an effective slogan for their health care agenda: “repeal and replace.” The problem is, they can agree only on the first half; agreeing on what to put in place of last year’s health care law is the hard part. Even Representative Paul Ryan’s bold budget proposal avoids the issue.

Republicans can’t keep ducking through the 2012 elections. Fortunately, there’s a solution hidden in plain sight: a tax credit for health insurance.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/24/opinion/24Ponnuru.html?hp=&pagewanted=print

April 22, 2011

Family Physician Can’t Give Away Solo Practice

By GARDINER HARRIS

CROFTON, Md. — “So there we are, miles from shore, fishing since 11 o’clock at night, and we haven’t gotten one single bite until finally we gaff one that’s about this big.”

Dr. Ronald Sroka held his hands about three feet apart, and John Mayer — fishing buddy and patient — smiled from the examination table. Dr. Sroka shook his head, glanced at a wall clock and quickly put his stethoscope to his ears.

“All right, deep breaths,” Dr. Sroka said. It was only 10 a.m., but Dr. Sroka was already behind schedule, with patients backed up in the waiting room like planes waiting to take off at La Guardia Airport. Too many stories; too little time.

“Talking too much is the kind of thing that gets me behind,” Dr. Sroka said with a shrug. “But it’s the only part of the job I like.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/23/health/23doctor.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=print

City sends ‘tax’ bills to major nonprofits

Aims to triple voluntary payments within 5 years

By Michael Rezendes

Globe Staff / April 24, 2011

Text size – +

For the first time, Boston’s major tax-exempt institutions — its premier hospitals, universities, and cultural centers — are being asked to make regular voluntary payments to the city based on the value of their property to help offset the rising cost of city services and cuts in state financial aid. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/04/24/boston_sends_tax_bills_to_major_nonprofits/

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Health Care Reform Articles - April 24, 2011