M.D. faces stiff penalties (Sand Mountain Reporter)
BIRMINGHAM A decade in prison and a sizeable fine are possible for a Boaz physician who pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud. Dr. Thomas Richard Martin Jr., 51, pleaded guilty Tuesday to fraud against Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama.

Is there a downside to the Medicare system changes? (Bureau County Republican)
Editor s note: On Tuesday, the BCR ran a story about a local insurance agent s experience with a change in the Medicare system that allowed seniors to transfer their health insurance to private health companies.