Stopping privatization | These orthopedists are a step ahead of Obama
COMMENTARY
A Des Moines orthopedic practice has cut off Medicare Advantage insurers. Gil Cranberg thinks they’ve got the right idea—and wants reporters and editorial writers to start paying attention as Obama tries to end subsidies that have been draining the traditional Medicare program.

Staffers posed as consumers | Sen. Grassley knows a good story when he sees it
COMMENTARY
AARP, asked by the Iowa senator to explain its profits from insurance plans it touts, suspends marketing of one of them. Gil Cranberg laments that the press has pretty much ignored this important story—and points out that it’s not too late for reporters and editors to get in on it.

The candidates, privatization and the '45% trigger' | Is Medicare important to Obama? To McCain?
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How high a priority is Medicare for Obama and McCain? Both have positions on it but reporters should try to draw out their true understanding of the issues, or lack of it. Under Bush, Medicare is being privatized and is en route to extinction. Is one candidate more likely than the other to reverse that?

Afraid of a veto? | The House has moved to protect Medicare. Why won’t the Senate?
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Judith Stein on the Medicare issues now before Congress, including lavish subsidies for private plans and the status of slashes amounting to 15% in doctors’ fees.

The 45% Trigger | For Medicare, 'modernization' means 'destruction'
COMMENTARY
The critical question, writes attorney Judith Stein, is: 'Will we keep giving away public money to private industry rather than toward necessary health care for older and disabled people?'

An overview | Medicare is under attack, but you can’t tell it by most press coverage
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Medicare, the great American health program, is under threat, its costs spiraling and benefits decreasing for millions who are leaving traditional Medicare for privatized versions. (First in a series)

| AARP and the privatization of Medicare
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Medicare Advantage plans are heavily subsidized, private plans that are luring older citizens away from Medicare. AARP is both criticizing this practice and taking part in it at the same time. What’s AARP up to here, and why aren’t news organizations doing a better job in reporting the drain on Medicare?

Another Bush legacy | As Medicare goes private, the press just stands by
COMMENTARY
The government sounds like the voice of the insurance industry as it hucksters older Americans into joining ‘Medicare Advantage,’ a means of unraveling the popular, effective program. Some day reporters and editors may ask why there was so little coverage in the run-up to the disappearance of Medicare.

Permanent privatization | Will Democrats rescue Medicare? Will reporters even pay attention?
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Republicans under Gingrich began crippling Medicare, and Bill Clinton went along with it. Things have gotten a lot worse under Bush.

How many in your area? | As many as 7 million may be in the Medicare doughnut hole
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The hole could be eliminated through savings if the government negotiated lower prices with drug firms. Would Bush go along with that?

2006 elections | Ask candidates their views on Medicare drug prices
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The Veterans Administration saves taxpayers a great deal by negotiating the prices it pays for prescription medicines, but Medicare, under its prescription drug plan, is barred from negotiating prices. Where’s the logic?