INTERESTING LETTER TO THE EDITOR


Aiding the wealthy
printed in the Spokesman-Review

The full-page ad in The Spokesman-Review (Dec. 5) by the American College of Radiology Association thanking Representative McMorris Rodgers for her support of HR-3269 is a shining example of why our Congress and political system are broken.
It appears that the federal government (Medicare) is reducing payments for diagnostic imaging services provided by the members of the radiology association. Those same radiologists enjoy Bush tax cuts. Lower taxes collected by the federal government means less funds available for Medicare payments.
The congresswoman wants a balanced federal budget, and to keep cutting taxes. Now she is supporting higher payments to radiologists. So Cathy, tell us where you are going to get the money to pay the radiologists' bills? You voted for a budget that turns Medicare into a voucher system. What happens when seniors run out of vouchers?
I have seen the bills submitted by radiologists, and my reaction is "you have got to be kidding." The ad said that "Cathy McMorris Rodgers has come to the rescue, yet again." Who is she really rescuing and with whose money? Didn't we pay for the full-page ad with our last X-ray? How many radiologist Medicare dollars will become campaign dollars for our congresswoman?

Pete Scobby
Newport, WA
Dec. 22, 2011