Health Care Reform
This fall the country will be talking health care again-or at least should be talking about it-as Congress moves to change the principles on which Medicare and Medicaid were established 30 years ago. A writer with a taste for irony could scarcely conceive a better plot, and as one of those who wrote the Clinton plan, I confess it strikes me as more than ironic.
Two years ago, Republicans were denouncing the secrecy surrounding the Presidents health care task force. This summer, Republicans have been meeting behind closed doors on a Medicare proposal scheduled to be released later this month, only a few weeks before Congress votes on it, thereby avoiding independent analysis of the costs, mobilization by opponents and other inconvenient aspects of a long national debate. Two years ago, the Republicans rang alarms about the Clinton plans emphasis on managed care. Now the Republicans own plans for Medicare and Medicaid emphasize managed care.
But superficial similarities are deceiving. The reform plans of 1993 generally aimed to extend rights to health coverage and health care; The Republican proposals this year would retract rights that already exist. The debate two years ago reflected a widespread belief that the health care system needed reform. The Republicans, like many in the business world, now begin with the happy thought that the system is reforming itself and that Government needs to be more like the private sector.
The health care system is certainly going through profound change. Health maintenance organizations and other forms of managed care are expanding rapidly. As managed care grows, demand for hospital care shrinks. Hospitals are merging, closing beds and cutting jobs; some new buildings stand vacant. The incomes of specialists in some areas are dropping, and primary-care practitioners are in demand. Once stubbornly independent physicians are selling their practices to hospitals and insurers or taking a fixed payment per enrolled patient and accepting the discipline of the corporation.
1. What is the writers attitude towards the Congresss move to change the principles on which Medicare and Medicaid were established 30 years ago?
A) Ironic
B) Humorous.
C) Sympathetic
D) Critical.
2. The phrase behind closed doors in the second paragraph could best be replaced by which of the following?
A) At home
B) In secret
C) In a room secure from attack
D) In prison
3. Republicans have been holding meetings behind closed doors in order to
A) mobilize support from their opponents.
B) Prepare for the upcoming national debate.
C) Release their proposals without running into any trouble
D) Discuss the Clinton plan in a detailed way.
4. What are the Republican proposals aimed at?
A) Extending rights to health coverage and health care.
B) Providing every American with free medical treatment
C) Depriving many people of their rights to free medical treatment
D) Withdrawing rights that have existed for a long time
5. Which of the following is NOT true of the development of managed care?
A) Nurses are in great demand
B) Physicians are no longer independent
C) Some new buildings are vacant
D) Demand for hospital care is on the decrease.
答案: ABCDA
下一篇: 职称英语理工类的阅读理解基础练习题(3)
体坛英语资讯:Brazil World Cup winner Lucio to play on in 2019
体坛英语资讯:Leipzig, Frankfurt secure victories in German Bundesliga
国际英语资讯:Most Americans blame Trump, Republicans for partial govt shutdown: poll
国际英语资讯:Final word on Brexit plan to go to PM as most crucial vote in a generation nears
国内英语资讯:China to maintain stable employment in 2019
国际英语资讯:Whole world wishes to see no-deal Brexit averted, Japans PM tells May
国际英语资讯:France offers 1.15 bln USD loan to Iraq for reconstruction
国内英语资讯:China Focus: CCDI communique vows new progress in Party governance
国内英语资讯:China unveils follow-up lunar exploration missions
国内英语资讯:Chinese premier urges efforts to keep growth within reasonable range
体坛英语资讯:Europes top clubs in battle to sign Werner, Havertz
体坛英语资讯:Portuguese Da Costa wins Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix
国际英语资讯:Yemens Houthi rebels fire ballistic missile at Saudi military base
国内英语资讯:Beijings new airport to be surrounded by forest
国际英语资讯:Search for two crew of crashed French Mirage fighter jet continues
国际英语资讯:UN envoy visits southern Libya for 1st time
自己的不幸只能靠自己打破
体坛英语资讯:Pacers hire Krauskopf as leagues first female assistant general manager
体坛英语资讯:Shaqiri scores twice to send Liverpool back to top, Arsenal beaten by Southampton
国际英语资讯:Iranian FM in Baghdad for talks with Iraqi leaders on enhancing ties
国内英语资讯:Premier Li stresses implementation of Xis speech on Party governance
学会这9点,才能说自己成熟
国内英语资讯:Top political advisor stresses determination to overcome abject poverty
国际英语资讯:Italys La Camera named as new IRENA chief
双语阅读:睡前一小时不要看手机!国外专家这么说...
体坛英语资讯:Chinas Shi Tingmao awarded FINA Best Female Diver of 2018
体坛英语资讯:China beats Switzerland, Canada in Qinghai International Curling Elite
国内英语资讯:Spotlight: Belt and Road Cooperation Research Center inaugurated in Cairo
体坛英语资讯:Chinese womens footballer Wang scores in PSGs 7-1 rout of Metz
国内英语资讯:China to advance poverty alleviation in health care