Slow Medicare payments hurting small pharmacists (The Pueblo Chieftain)
WASHINGTON - After nearly 25 years as the proud owner of Home Town Drugs and Gifts in Sweet Home, Ore., Dave Redden closed down this summer, joining a growing trend among small-town pharmacists. Competition from mail-order pharmacies and larger retailers played a role in his decision. So did the long hours that came from running a business. But Redden, 62, said one factor, the Medicare ...

Hillary Care, part II: Choices now, but not later (New Hampshire Union Leader)
Government already pays half of all health care costs. Sen. Hillary Clinton's health care plan, announced yesterday, would expand that. Clinton claims she does not want to create a single-payer, government-run health system like Canada's. But given half a chance, she'd impose exactly that.

Changes to take place in Medicare health plans (Siskiyou Daily News)
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA A recent press release warned that people with Medicare should be aware that there will be changes and new offerings in health plans, also known as Medicare Advantage plans, and in prescription drug plans, also known as Part D, for 2008.