
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 10, 1993                   TAG: 9306100429
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

MEDICARE PATIENTS NOT WELCOME

I RECENTLY called a foot-and-ankle specialist in the valley for an appointment. The first question I was asked was the date of my birth. I gave that. Then, was I on Medicare? I answered in the affirmative.

I was told the doctor was not taking any Medicare patients, but was referring them to another. Why? If he lives long enough, he, too, will be on Medicare.

Why are Medicare recipients being discriminated against? Is this protection not lucrative enough? Most of us do have Medicare supplementary insurance that we pay dearly for.

ALBERTA P. ATKINSON

SALEM

by CNB