The argument over Medicare Part D appeared to gain strength on Wednesday in Washington, as House Republicans continued the push to defer the program for a year, arguing that doing so would save at least $32 billion. The group says that the government simply cannot afford to implement the program at a time when an estimated $200 billion--and possibly more--is needed to cover the costs of damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.
Many analysts have argued that it is unlikely that the administration would ever back postponing the program, given its centrality to the White House's effort to reform the health care system.
- see this story from USA Today
PLUS: In other Washington news, some observers are suggesting that the AMA's campaign to convince Congress to do away with proposed reimbursement cuts is bringing the physician's lobby into conflict with the AARP. Story