'Or' a trillion-dollar word - Washington Times

'Or' a trillion-dollar word - Washington Times: "Yes, words matter. Even adding one wrong word could cost taxpayers trillions. That is exactly what is being proposed.

Currently, publicly funded programs such as Medicare and Medicaid only pay for medically necessary health care. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, Maryland Democrat, publicly said President Obama's proposed health care plan will pay for 'any service deemed medically necessary or medically appropriate.' What a difference the word 'or' makes. In other words, no longer would a provider have to show that health care services are medically necessary; they'll get paid if it is medically appropriate.

Dropping 'medically necessary' as a minimum requirement would be disastrous and bankrupt our health care system."