Trade agreements swap Medicare for worker retraining

Long-delayed trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama made some breakthrough progress yesterday, hinging on $1 billion per year promised for retraining programs for displaced workers, Politico reported.

“These free trade agreements, together with Trade Adjustment Assistance, will boost our economy by billions of dollars and create new jobs and opportunities here at home. This proposal opens lucrative new markets to American ranchers, farmers and small businesses while ensuring U.S. workers have all the help they need to adapt and thrive in the 21st century global economy,” Senate Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) said in a statement.

The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance expressed “dismay” at the decision, which saw medical imaging reimbursements cut to pay for the retraining assistance.

Click here to read the full article