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This week on NOW:
NOW's Sylvia Chase, herself a Medicare recipient, reveals the
detrimental effects of election-year politics on seniors in this
compelling report on the new Medicare law. With the new Medicare drug
card program set to begin next week, America's senior citizens may begin
to collect on the Bush Administration's promise to provide them with a
universal prescription drug benefit. The sweeping new Medicare law has
the capacity to transform the way Medicare is delivered to seniors, but
some lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are crying foul, claiming it
mainly lines the pockets of powerful drug companies while shortchanging
many senior citizens. Not only that, say critics on the right and the
left, the bill was passed under outrageous, even scandalous,
circumstances. NOW tells the inside story behind this radical expansion
of Medicare, which some say was packaged to court crucial senior votes
in an election year while serving the best interests of the big drug and
insurance companies. NOW investigates what the law means for seniors in
the long-term and talks to Democrats and Republicans who opposed the
law, including Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN), who calls the bill's
passage "a major mistake."
An estimated one million people marched in what has been described as
the largest demonstration for a woman's right to choose, in Washington,
D.C. last week. Surprisingly, among those who participated in support
were the religious faithful. These voices of faith came from leaders
and members of organizations who represent millions of Americans who
believe that there is a Biblical underpinning for a woman's right to
choose. NOW examines the foundation of this faith-based pro-choice
movement. "Why can't you be religious and prayerfully pro-choice?" asks
Reverend Carlton Veazey, head of the Religious Coalition for
Reproductive Choice. "And that's what we are trying to get people to
understand - that there is a place for the religious voice in this
movement."
Bill Moyers sits down with MORNING EDITION'S Bob Edwards for his first
nationally televised interview as he leaves the anchor desk at NPR on
Friday. Edwards and Moyers assess the state of the press in America,
the increasing hold big business has over information, and the urgent
need for a press that asks the tough questions about Democracy, our
government, and our elected leaders.
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