House Democrats Introduce Legislation That Would Allow Medicare To Offer Prescription Drug Plans That Compete With ... (Medical News Today)
Congressional Democrats on Tuesday introduced legislation (HR 684, S 330) that would allow traditional Medicare to establish one or more plans to compete with private plans under the prescription drug benefit, CQ HealthBeat reports. In addition, the legislation, sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Reps. Marion Berry (D-Ark.) and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.

Hospices push for stimulus aid (The Dalles Chronicle)
Editor s Note: One in a series of government accountability stories on how behind-the-scenes influence is exercised in Washington. WASHINGTON When the Bush administration last year cut what Medicare will provide for hospice care for dying patients, the hospice industry fought back.