Viewpoints: Prop. 61 Is California’s Chance To Spark National Movement On Drug Prices
A selection of opinions on California's ballot initiatives and other health care developments from around the state.
Los Angeles Times:
A Yes Vote On Proposition 61 Will Send A Strong Message To Big Pharma And Washington
Prescription drug prices in the United States are the highest in the world — by far. Californians on Nov. 8 have a chance to stand up to the pharmaceutical industry’s greed and spark a national movement to end this price-gouging. Today, no laws prevent drug companies from doubling or tripling prices. So they just do it. The most recent flagrant example is the emergency allergy injection, EpiPen. Its maker, Mylan, jacked up the price of this 40-year-old medication by 461% between 2007 and 2015. During that same period, compensation for Mylan’s CEO rose 671%. And that’s just one company and one drug. (Bernie Sanders, 10/21)
Sacramento Bee:
A High-Stakes Game Of Chicken On Drug Prices
California’s state government spends about $4 billion a year on prescription drugs – for low-income people in the Medi-Cal program, as well as state employees, retirees and prison inmates. Shouldn’t taxpayers be getting the best deal possible for their money? (Daniel Weintraub, 10/17)
Los Angeles Times:
Proposition 60 Raises The Question: Should Californians Be Deputized As Condom Cops?
Proposition 60 on the California ballot would seem to offer a treasure of material for late-night comics. It’s about requiring condoms to be worn in porno flicks. But there’s nothing funny about spreading syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, hepatitis, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. So skip the one-liners. (George Skelton, 10/17)
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Thumbs Up: Yes On Prop 52
In order for California to receive federal Medicaid funds, which are distributed through the Medi-Cal program, the state needs to provide matching funds. To do that, the state set up a program seven years ago that charges all California hospitals a fee to raise money for those matching funds. As a result, hospitals receive more than $3 billion a year in federal funds to provide Medi-Cal services to more than 13 million Californians. It’s worked well. But the state also is guilty of using funds from the hospital fee program for general fund expenditures. Proposition 52 would extend the hospital fee program indefinitely and would require voter approval to divert the money for other purposes. (10/18)
Los Angeles Times:
The Tobacco Industry's Strategy To Kill A New Statewide Cigarette Tax: Blow A Lot Of Smoke
The cigarette makers are bellyaching about the “wealthy special interests” — doctors, dentists, hospitals, health insurers — who are trying to “tax grab” on the Nov. 8 ballot. What’s being grabbed, of course, is a hefty tax hike on tobacco products. Proposition 56 would increase the cigarette tax by $2 per pack. All other tobacco products, including nicotine-laced electronic cigarettes, would get equivalent tax boosts. (George Skelton, 10/20)
The Bakersfield Californian:
How Measure J Can Improve Kern's Health
We have a decision to make. We can choose to accept the dismal health status of Kern County or we can choose a healthier future. Today, Kern County’s health ranks 52nd of 57 California counties where data is available. We can do better...We have an opportunity to begin this change on Nov. 8. We can vote Yes on Measure J, which will help rebuild and modernize the Kern Community College District campuses including Bakersfield College. Voting Yes on Measure J has the potential to transform our region and create a tipping point for generations to come. Here is how your vote will make a difference. (David Womack, 10/18)
Sacramento Bee:
Election 2016: Sacramento Bee Ballot Reccommendations & Endorsements
Here are the recommendations from the Sacramento Bee Editorial Board for the election of November 8, 2016. (10/17)
Los Angeles Times:
Zombie Marketing: Selling Health Insurance To The Dead
Being dead hasn’t stopped Martin Siegel from being a solid insurance prospect. Siegel, who died in 2002, would have turned 65 this year. As such, he’s received solicitations from UnitedHealthcare, Kaiser Permanente and other insurers trying to sign him up for Medicare Advantage plans. “It’s just about every insurance company you can think of,” said Geri Siegel, his widow. (David Lazarus, 10/18)
The Mercury News:
Veterans Suicide Hotline Disaster Is Appalling
The Department of Veterans Affairs admits a suicide hotline it runs is failing to answer the phone. How can that be, when about 20 veterans commit suicide every day? Fix it. Now. The former director of the Veterans Crisis Line told The Associated Press that an average of 35 to 40 percent of the calls in May went unanswered by the crisis-trained health science specialists at its Canandaigua, New York location. The calls rolled to backup centers run by a contractor and staffed by workers, sometimes volunteers, who lack specialized training. (10/14)
Orange County Register:
A Bailout Californians Can't Afford
California taxpayers, beware. The federal government is quietly implementing a massive taxpayer-funded bailout for special interests. Not only that, this bailout will allow the Affordable Care Act to continue wreaking havoc in your state for years to come. So which special interests are getting your money? Health insurance companies. (Nathan Nascimento, 10/20)
Los Angeles Times:
UCI'S Patients, And Workers, Deserve Better
Since the Affordable Care Act came online, 20 million more Americans have access to healthcare, including a million more Californians. For healthcare providers like UC Irvine Medical Center, this means more customers. In fact, according to its last financial report, UCIMC has seen substantial increases in both patient admissions and outpatient visits over the past year. But instead of investing in the proper staffing it needs to deliver quality care to more people, UCI is moving in the opposite direction. (Kathryn Lybarger, 10/14)