Medicare: the end of an era? - Eye On Washington

Healthcare Financial Management, Nov, 2003 by Jeanne Schulte Scott

We have to remember that the House version of the bill passed the House by only a 216 to 215 vote, with several conservatives actually joining liberal Democrats in opposing the bill, albeit for different motivations. But a no vote is a no vote. With liberal Democrats backed to the wall and threatening filibuster, and conservative Republicans embracing their opportunity to at last undo the remnants of the Great Society and the New Deal, the "new and improved" Medicare may be dead for this year and probably for 2004, too. The 2004 election is shaping up to be a doozy!

Jeanne Schulte Scott, JD, is a healthcare lobbyist in Washington, D.C. Her e-mail address is jeanne.scott@0health-politics.com.