An Alternative to Obama's Healthcare Reform

Obama has seem much opposition to his proposed healthcare reform. Here in The Ithaca Journal Bob Yates suggests an alternative to Obama's healthcare reform. Bob suggests that instead of setting up a new plan that would be cheaper than private plans but yield high taxes, we should open up Medicaid and Medicare to everyone and allow people to buy into Medicaid which is on average $8,000 a year.

He also suggests a dollar-for-dollar credit on medical spending on everything. While this seems like a great alternative, is it really feasible?

Medicare Hospice Protection Act

US Representative Maurice Hinchey has introduced a new bill to Congress to block a new bill from the Bush administration. According to The Ithaca Journal, a bill going into affect October 1 will begin reducing Medicare reimbursement rates by $2.2 billion over the next five years. This could result in hospice patients loosing their hospice care across the country, as it could cost certain hospices $50,000 next year across the country, and as much as $150,000 over the next three years. Hinchey is encouraging Congress to swift action due to the tight time frame they’re working with.