Viewpoints: California’s Aid-In-Dying Legal Fight; The Troubles Of Homelessness In Los Angeles
A selection of opinions on health care developments from around the state.
San Jose Mercury News:
Court Should Recognize Health Of Right-To-Die Law
Since California’s right-to-die law took effect June 9, 2016, none of opponents’ fears have been realized. The law has given terminal patients of sound mind the humane option of dying with dignity — on their own terms, rather than in excruciating pain. Arguing, as opponents do, that this harms these Californians rather than helps them ignores this reality: In about 5 percent of cases for terminally ill patients, it’s impossible to manage a dying patient’s pain with medication. (5/30)
Los Angeles Times:
California Should Fight The Good Fight Against Bad Health Insurance Policies
This one should be a no-brainer: California lawmakers are considering a bill that would ban so-called junk health insurance policies — short-term plans that do not comply with the consumer protections set out in Obamacare. These cheap plans typically offer no protection against the risk of bankrupting medical bills; instead, they cover just a limited number of doctor visits and days in the hospital, with glaring gaps in coverage, huge out-of-pocket costs and comparatively low caps on total benefits. (5/25)
Orange County Register:
How To Address The Coming Shortfall Of Primary-Care Physicians
By 2030, America will be short up to 43,100 primary-care physicians, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. As the training grounds for the doctors of the future, medical schools have a responsibility to help fix this shortfall. (G. Richard Olds, 5/26)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Protect The Services Needed By Those Who Served
Veterans like me need managed, culturally competent medical care, in a safe community that respects them. Private doctors do not understand the complexity of service-related health problems. (Howard L. Hibbard and Marcela Davison Avilés, 5/25)
Los Angeles Times:
Paint Companies Poisoned People With Lead Additives. Now They Want A Billion-Dollar Bailout
On the surface, the initiative sounds virtuous. ... But the real purpose is buried in legalese. The initiative would declare that lead paint is not a public nuisance, even though the court found that it was. That declaration would effectively reverse the court decision that put the paint companies on the hook, eliminating their obligation to pay for lead paint removal. It would also prevent other communities in California from suing paint companies in the future. (5/29)
Los Angeles Times:
Say What? How An $800 Charge For Hearing Aids Soared To A $3,600 Healthcare Bill
There are a few things to unpack here. First, how an anticipated $800 out-of-pocket cost skyrocketed to $3,600. Second, the challenge all consumers face in finding out the actual cost of healthcare. Finally, this is a growing problem. Hearing aids are fast becoming a concern for millions of Americans as our aging society places new strains on healthcare. (David Lazarus, 5/29)