Remove Medicare ‘therapy cap’
Many readers may be unaware that an $1,860 cap/year on physical and speech therapy for Medicare beneficiaries went into place on Jan. 1, 2010, unless the patient seeks services from a hospital.
In years past, there has been an “exception” to the therapy cap for patients in dire need. Any Medicare patient who is coping with a chronic condition or recovering from a stroke or debilitating illness knows that $1,860 is inadequate to cover the extensive therapy those situations require.
Congress can do something to protect beneficiaries from losing their Medicare coverage — they can pass legislation this year (H.R. 43/S. 46) that repeals this arbitrary policy once and for all. We urge everyone who has a family member on Medicare or who is relying on Medicare coverage themselves to contact our members of Congress immediately and ask that they take action to repeal the Medicare “therapy cap” once and for all.
DEBBIE INGRAM
DAVID LEVINE
Time to defeat socialist leaders
I think we all know by now that you cannot defeat America’s freedom. Now that Massachusetts has taken the first step to defeat a socialist government takeover by the liberals in our government, we need to do the rest of the work.These people need to be removed from office now. There really isn’t any reason to let them spread their venom any longer.
Do any of you fellow Americans feel like you are too stupid to make your own choices and need to have an almighty liberal tell you what you need and what is best for you? I think not.
My personal opinion is that not all Democrats are liberals, so we only need to attack people like Obama, Biden, Reid, Pelosi and the rest of their group.
We don’t ever again need to allow one single party to take complete control of our government, and never again go against the Constitution of the United States, which is what we all should honor. We are great because God has blessed us, and need to thank Him for it every day.
DEE POOL
Wamp is part of fiscal problem
I note the Chattanooga Free Press opinion of Tuesday, Feb. 9, and their praise of U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp’s “stand” against raising the federal debt limit by $1.9 trillion.
The Free Press asks: “Is this financial responsibility — or gross irresponsibility?” then uses Rep. Wamp to make its fiscal point, but this is the same Rep. Wamp who was quoted by this paper on April 25, 2009, as bemoaning the Obama administration’s $787 billion stimulus package for only allotting $8 billion for a high speed rail initiative between Atlanta and Chattanooga.
Rep. Wamp is reported to have wished the Obama stimulus to have included $50 billion instead, an amount six times more than the “Obama-Democrat spending spree” White House itself placed into the package. Rep. Wamp is quoted as saying “We need to throw the ball deep.”
U.S. Rep. Ron Paul would have been a better fiscal example. Rep. Wamp serves on the powerful Appropriations Committee, where he obviously has not demonstrated his fiscal responsibility.
Rep. Wamp is part of the problem. Let’s hope that Tennesseans have learned and do not elect his idea of fiscal responsibility into our governor’s mansion.
GAVIN BLEDSOE
Collegedale
Founders relied on God for support
Our Founding Fathers were deeply committed to create a nation founded on God and the Bible. The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence called upon God, our Creator and Supreme Judge, by name in the document. In the last sentence they wrote: “And for the support of his Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of devine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”
If we read quotations and documents from the Federalist Papers in the Archives, Washington, D.C., we’ll clearly see they were focused on God’s principles. They looked to the Bible to shape our three branches of government: Executive, Judicial and Legislative (Isaiah 33:22).
Wen Continental Congress faced great problems and knew not which way to turn, Benjamin Franklin called upon the members to fall upon their knees and pray for guidance. Imagine Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi or Barney Frank doing such a thing. The ACLU would pounce on it like a chicken on a June bug.
Can we imagine what our Founding Fathers would think today of what our national leaders have done to the great heritage they gave us and in which they pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor?
JOE BLOCKER
WWII vets can see monument for free
Veterans of WWII have the opportunity to visit the National World War II Monument with an “all free” plane trip from various parts of the country.
All service branch WWII veterans are eligible for this opportunity, and it is not restricted to combat service, nor even foreign service duty. Provisions are made for physical assistance or medical attention if so notified in advance also on the application.
If desired, an attendant such as family or friend may accompany you on this flight if these services are noted. Your attendant will pay only $400 for this round-trip fare. Actually the full flight cost is $60,000 and is sponsored by interested corporations, or private donations may be made by private contributors.
My flight will be from Columbus, Ga., on April 18 and I will be accompanied by Col. Ronald Roth, a nephew and son of my deceased brother, Col. Homer Roth. I have just recently made arrangements for two Chattanooga WWII veterans to make the April 28 flight from Knoxville, Tenn. This flight is filled, but other flights will be made later in the summer.
BARNEY ROTH JR.