Health care tops priority on campaign trail and voters
Health care dominates campaign coverage with focus on prescription drug coverage for seniors, Medicare reform, and uninsured access. Studies show one quarter of registrations prioritize health care ahead of the presidential election, while Medicare faces long term funding worries and debates over a patients bill of rights amid rising drug costs and aging demographics.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Princeton Survey Research Associates
Medicare
Medicare plan seeks private bids and lock box funding
The proposal aims to extend the Medicare Trust Fund solvency to 2030 by paying half of annual drug costs up to 93,000 per year, capping drug out of pocket at 4000, and having private insurers offer a menu of plans with government paying 25 percent of premiums. It supports a Medicare Commission to promote HMOs and other plans while barring HMO lawsuits. Congress debates reconciliation and President Clinton pledges administrative action if needed. Long term care burdens rise with aging and Medicaid remains primary payer as consumer advocates seek better public coverage and tax breaks for private long term care products.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cans
Norwood-Dingell Patients Bill of Rights Supportunited
A Syracuse Newspapers report notes a political stance supporting the Norwood-Dingell Patients Bill of Rights to allow patients to sue HMOs, while opposing a weaker Senate version. It cites alignment with Texas style protections including independent review panels and potential lawsuits for denial or delay of care.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
House of Representatives
Senate
Texas
Medicare Drug Benefit Support and HMO Legal Changes
She backs a voluntary prescription drug benefit for Medicare. He opposed a bill letting patients sue HMOs. He backed two Republican plans including limited patient cue rights for HAAN and cap on damages. She backs a bill ensuring specialist and ER access and permits suing HMOs.
Lawmaker backs CHIP and Medicaid expansions for children
A Syracuse Newspapers summary notes a lawmaker supported a 1990s effort increasing federal CHIP funding by 132 million and backed Medicaid expansion for kids in 1997. It also cites support for expanding CHIP and adding state subsidies to make employer coverage more affordable for families.
Texas Medicaid dental abuses spark broad scrutiny
Washington letters accuse Texas dentists of unnecessary expensive procedures on poor children for higher reimbursements. Three former Medicaid investigators say reforms since 1997 aim to curb fraud, with 23 dentists excluded since 1998. Investigations revealed roving dentists bilking Medicaid and a 1996 agreement to improve care unresolved. Texas still uses crowns heavily relative to fillings compared with Illinois and Pennsylvania.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Texas
George W. Bush
Bush
Health and Human Services
Texas Health and Human Services
Don Gilbert
Galveston
Associated Press
Llinois
Pennsylvania
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Social Security and Defense
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U.S. Census Bureau
Clinton
al Gore
George WW. Bush
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Syracuse Newspapers
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Hillary Rodham Clinton
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