The Biz Journal ponders the effect pending Medicaid cuts will have on local hospitals.

The article mentions the fact that Sen. Elizabeth Dole has again proposed a one -year moratorium on the cuts, just like the one she proposed last year along with Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill:

“One of the biggest concerns I hear from constituents about is the affordability and accessibility of health care,” Dole told The Business Journal. “The last thing that Washington needs to do is rush to implement a policy that would have such negative effects on our hospitals and the patients that rely on them.”

Meanwhile, the N&R’s Mark Binker takes an interesting look at Dole’s would-be competition. Damn shame Jim Neal’s not going to get any payback from Erskine Bowles:

Other natural allies could be blocked by institutional policy. For example Neal lists serving as a fundraiser for UNC system President Erskine Bowles during his 2004 U.S. Senate campaign. Bowles, however, has not come out for either candidate.

A spokeswoman for Bowles points to a UNC policy that requires the president and senior administrators to steer clear of political involvement.

“I have not and will not endorse any candidate for any office,” Bowles wrote in an e-mail, noting he will vote and will tell friends privately if asked who he is voting for.