Last year’s 800-odd events have mushroomed to more than 2,100, and scores of elected and would-be elected officials, including presumptive Democratic presidential nominee John F. Kerry, have gone before the cameras to pay homage to the week’s healthcare theme.But some analysts wonder whether the lawmakers who are rolling out new proposals and recycling old ones are more concerned about scoring political points than finding solutions to the problems generated by a fractured healthcare system.Despite the equally fervent declarations coming from every side that, as Sen. Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) said, “Now is not soon enough to get the job done,” fundamental philosophical differences—as well as the war in Iraq, terrorism fears and the federal budget deficit—will continue to determine what, if anything, comes of all the talk.Across the country, groups from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to the AFL-CIO, from the Southern Baptist Convention to the Islamic Society of North America, have sponsored workshops, town hall meetings and news conferences this week to call attention to the problems caused by rising healthcare costs and shrinking coverage—and to demand government action.But in the nation’s capital, the policy proposals presented by separate groups of Republican and Democratic lawmakers have almost nothing in common and come wrapped in political invective directed at the other side.For instance, Sen. Gordon Smith said Tuesday the key difference between the Republicans’ targeted, tax-based proposals and democratic bills to expand existing government programs was “the choice between superior healthcare for most Americans and finding ways to include the rest of the Americans, or mediocre healthcare for all Americans.”They include previous proposals, such as malpractice reform and tax credits, as well as a new plan to forgive some student loans for college graduates who invest in tax-free, high-deducible tax savings plans.A study released Monday by the Urban Institute, a social policy research organization in Washington, said that providing health insurance to those who lacked coverage would increase medical spending by $48 billion a year.Some analysts think growing public concern about cost, quality and availability of healthcare could force Washington to act―eventually.26. Which of the following can be used as the title of the passage?27. According to this passage, Americans are facing ____.28. The author writes this article in order to ____.29. Which of the following is not true according to the passage?30. What do the Americans need most for their healthcare according to this passage?
A.Healthcare Issues Attract Plenty of Talk but Little Action B.The Republicans’ Targeted, Tax-Based Proposals C.Democratic Bills Expand Existing Government Programs D.Concerns about Cost, Quality and Availability of Healthcare
问题2:
A.providing health insurance to those who lacked coverage B.finding solutions to the problems brought about by a fractured healthcare system C.rising healthcare cost but shrinking coverage D.the key difference between the Republicans and the Democrats
问题3:
A.arouse public attention to health issues B.assist the government C.express the opinions of the poor D.provide health insurance
问题4:
A.Many organizations have sponsored meetings to demand government action. B.Both elected and would-be elected officials are interested in the topic of healthcare. C.Republicans and Democrats have fundamentally different policy proposals. D.Americans welcome the proposals generated by both parties.
问题5:
A.Growing public concern about cost, quality and availability of healthcare. B.Ways to help the nation’s 44 million uninsured to get health coverage. C.Government action to provide health insurance to those who lacked coverage. D.All the above.