THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 17, 1995 TAG: 9510170007
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 29 lines
Because of my status as a senior citizen, I appreciate the alarm sent out by Atkins (Oct. 4). However, most of the problem he foresees, as told by the news media and opponents of change, is false.
The cry that there will be ``cuts'' in the Medicare program is wrong, innocently assumed by many because of misinformation from opponents.
The explanation, as I've heard from proponents who hope to save Medicare for many years, does not mean a cut in current monies. It is a plan to delete something like $270 billion of the government's projected plans to increase Medicare's spending each year. By preventing this additional drain, Medicare will be extended well beyond its foretold demise.
Mr. Atkins is absolutely correct on the attitude of doctors concerning ``Medicare'' patients. But whatever the insurance, doctors worry about low fees. No one seems to have a solution for that.
MARIE MORGART
Virginia Beach
Oct. 6, 1995 by CNB