http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills info@washingtonwatch.com http://www.pjdoland.com/chai/?v=0.1 http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_130.html#15477 The difference between a cost contract vs a risk contract are that the risk contract is paid a set amount monthly to administer the Medicare benefit whereas the cost contract is reimbursed at the end of the year for actual expenses plus administration cost, which includes payments to doctors. This is how they can afford to mainpulate doctors the way they do and it is all at the expense of the taxpayer who in the end receives fewer benefits for their money! This bill should not pass!... 15477@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 09 May 2007 11:05:38 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/110_SN_130.html#15476 In Grand Junction, CO the cost contract, RMHP, is paying doctors 120% versus the 100% paid by risk contracts. The doctors are refusing to participate with the risk contracts in favor of the higher payout they get from the cost orginization. It shortchanges the senior because on average they pay $70 per month and get fewer benefits than they would on a $0 plan from a risk contract just so they get a doctor to see them. Our local cost contract, Rocky Mountain Health Plans, is consorting with doctors to manipulate the market by paying them more in return for them refusing other health plans. The community knows it, and there are many unhappy seniors here who are being forced into a healthcare choice by doctors who are more interested in their bottom line that the coverage their senior patient receives.... 15476@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 09 May 2007 10:57:46 EDT