“It’s an annual ordeal for many seniors living on a budget. Medicare’s coverage gap for prescription drugs — $3,610 next year — has steadily gotten bigger since the benefit’s inception. But if Democrats have their way on health care overhaul, the dreaded ‘doughnut hole’ will shrink by $500 right away and go away altogether by 2019. With the elderly worried that Medicare cuts in the health care bill will put the quality of their own care in jeopardy, Democrats belatedly are scrambling to convince them otherwise.” [editor’s note: The article refers to Medicare Part D as if it has been around forever. In reality it’s only four years old (as of January 1st, 2010), and already it’s in “untouchable entitlement” territory - TLK] (12/17/09)