Viewpoints: Republicans Say Market Forces Will Keep Costs In Check — But That’s Already Failed
A selection of opinions on health care developments from around the state.
Los Angeles Times:
Soaring Insulin Prices Highlight Futility Of 'Free Market' For Meds
A key feature of Republican plans to replace Obamacare is allowing market forces to boost innovation and competition among healthcare providers. “Unleashing the power of choice and competition is the best way to lower healthcare costs and improve quality,” declares House Speaker Paul Ryan in his conservative manifesto “A Better Way.” (David Lazarus, 12/20)
Los Angeles Times:
California’s Coming $20 Billion Healthcare Emergency
California is facing a $20 billion healthcare emergency. That’s how much the state stands to lose in annual federal spending if Republicans repeal the Affordable Care Act. Putting this in perspective, $20 billion represents nearly 18% of all state general fund spending, projected at $113 billion this year. That amount is also roughly what the state already pays from its general fund for Medi-Cal costs. Even a nation-state like California cannot absorb an 18% budget shortfall without severely damaging public health and its economy. (Tom McMorrow, 12/21)
Sacramento Bee:
Figuring Out How To Better Help Mentally Ill Before They Land In Jail
Similar interventions by triage workers teamed with law enforcement are producing uplifting outcomes throughout California. Funded through the Mental Health Wellness Act of 2013, the triage initiative aims to intercept people undergoing a mental health crisis to keep them out of the criminal justice system. As chairman of the state commission that provides grants for triage teams, I’m incredibly proud of what these mobile clinicians are achieving. But we must do more. (Victor Carrión, 12/22)
San Francisco Chronicle:
High Rates Of Medical Student Depression: What Do They Say About Our Health System?
As a physician and educator at a large academic medical center who interacts daily with medical students and patients, I can offer some insights into this study. It raises important questions about both medical education and the way medicine is practiced today, particularly the many non-patient-care-related demands on a physician’s attention. There are at least two ways to explain the high rates of depression among medical students. (Richard Gunderman, 12/19)
Los Angeles Times:
The Real Reason The GOP Is Gung-Ho On Repealing Obamacare: It Would Give The Rich A Huge Tax Cut
People wondering why Republicans are so hell-bent on repealing Obamacare even though that would cost 20 million Americans their health insurance haven’t been heeding the old investigator’s maxim to “follow the money.” The path leads to the Affordable Care Act’s tax provisions, and the discovery that repeal would provide the wealthiest taxpayers with an immediate tax cut totaling $346 billion over 10 years. (Michael Hiltzik, 12/16)
Los Angeles Times:
Don't Be Fooled: Mylan's 'Bargain' Price For Its Generic EpiPen Conceals A Massive Price Hike
Some news reports described this as “a more than 50% discount.” That’s incredibly misleading, which is exactly what Mylan hoped. In fact, the device will still cost three times as much as it did when Mylan acquired the rights in 2007. This for a product that delivers a dose of a generic drug that Mylan played no role in developing. (Michael Hiltzik, 12/16)