Viewpoints: Fighting For Single-Payer System Right Now Is Waste Of Time
A selection of opinions on health care developments from around the state.
Los Angeles Times:
Single Payer Can't Happen In California. At Least, Not Right Away
Given the dismal state of healthcare reform in Washington, liberal Californians have rallied around the idea that the state should establish a single-payer program. Although in the future such a system would be workable and desirable, the reality is that at the moment a single-payer bill cannot pass. Fighting for one in the immediate term is a waste of time. (Steve Tarzynski, 7/25)
Sacramento Bee:
Health Reform: Try Medicare For All
In the short term, Congress should shore up the Affordable Care Act with bipartisan, commonsense improvements, such as a reinsurance program to stabilize the market for high-risk policyholders, legislation to make cost-sharing reductions permanent, and government permission to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices. But in the longer term, the time is right to think about ways to make access to health care truly universal and cover those who are still left behind. By far the simplest solution is Medicare For All. (John Garamendi, 7/27)
Sacramento Bee:
Trump Wants To Reinstate Hate In The Military
It may be yet another diversion from the controversies closing in on the White House. It may be to appease House conservatives and an early appeal for the 2018 election. Regardless, President Donald Trump’s declaration Wednesday that transgender Americans will not be allowed to serve in the military is a disgrace. The fair-minded in Congress should stop this from happening. (7/26)
Los Angeles Times:
Is USC Committed To Transparency, Or Just Damage Control?
Officials at the University of Southern California are now in full damage-control mode. Facing growing anger that the university ignored or mishandled reports alleging that the former medical school dean took drugs and partied with a circle of criminals and drug abusers, USC President C.L. Max Nikias finally admitted this week that “we could have done better.” (7/28)
Orange County Register:
Burn Pits Are The New ‘Agent Orange’ For Cancer-Stricken Veterans, California Marine Says
Veterans of the 1990 Gulf War and beyond call the open air burn pits of our Middle East wars their generation’s version of Agent Orange, and they make no exaggeration. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs listed 110,989 veterans and service members in its latest burn pits registry.Yet the statistics and cries from veterans have had all the impact of unexploded ordnance — which the burn pits also consumed. (David Whiting, 7/21)
Sacramento Bee:
Insurance For Glasses Will Cut Diabetes
In 2014, optometrists detected early signs of diabetes in nearly a quarter million Americans who didn’t know they had the chronic, sight-robbing and deadly disease. Early detection makes an enormous difference, yet many people won’t get crucial eye examinations if they know they can’t afford new glasses. (Sage Hider and Kate Renwick-Espinosa, 7/24)
Los Angeles Times:
Yes, We Can Lower Sky-High Drug Prices — Other Countries Have Done It
In the United States, profit comes before public interest. There are no limits to how much can be charged for a prescription drug, particularly specialty drugs intended for the costliest illnesses. (David Lazarus, 7/25)
Sacramento Bee:
Big Pharma Ducks Obamacare Debate, Fights Transparency In Drug Pricing
Back in Sacramento, drug companies fight to kill Senate Bill 17, which would force some transparency in drug pricing. ... It would apply to drugs that cost more than $40 a month and would require drug companies to issue 60-day notices when they intend to raise prices by more than 10 percent over a two-year period. (7/24)
Los Angeles Times:
Shining A Light On Prescription Drug Pricing
Legislature may finally pass a bill that responds to the problem of rising prescription drug costs. But temper your enthusiasm: Though this measure (SB 17) has been fiercely resisted by the pharmaceutical industry, it wouldn’t actually stop manufacturers from raising their prices as high as they think the market will bear. It would just make them reveal more about the cost and value of their drugs as they do so. (7/24)
Los Angeles Times:
Don't Believe The American Heart Assn. — Butter, Steak And Coconut Oil Aren't Likely To Kill You
Last month, the American Heart Assn. once again went after butter, steak and especially coconut oil with this familiar warning: The saturated fats in these foods cause heart disease. The organization’s “presidential advisory” was a fresh look at the science and came in response to a growing number of researchers, including myself, who have pored over this same data in recent years and beg to differ. A rigorous review of the evidence shows that when it comes to heart attacks or mortality, saturated fats are not guilty. (Nina Teicholz, 7/23)
Orange County Register:
California Performs Poorly On Food Stamp Program
Too often, the government has seen increases in the food stamp and other welfare programs as a success, rather than focusing on how many people do not need assistance. It is encouraging that the numbers have been dropping, as people’s economic prospects have improved, but we still have a long way to go to get back to prerecession levels. (7/27)