MEDICARE: SOMEBODY HAS TO PAY

Whether President Clinton's proposal to provide more prescription coverage for Americans on Medicare will actually be a benefit will depend largely on the circumstances of each individual. It appears some will benefit while other would actually be worse off. But the idea is being sold as a boon to the nation's elderly -- even though many eligible folks don't see it that way. That's the Clinton way: If I tell you it's good for you long enough, you'll start to believe it.

The darker side of Medicare reform, however, may not be found in proposals like this. The questions remain: Who will pay for extra Medicare goodies? How will Medicare be funded in the future? Part of the answer isn't good news for anyone, particularly hospitals, which will see their Medicare reimbursements drastically cut to shore up the whole program. Doctors will have to absorb cuts too.

What good will it do to have a dab of extra prescription coverage if your local hospital closes up or cuts services because of Medicare?