Viewpoints: Is Single Payer ‘Doable’?; Doctors Should Disclose Malpractice Penalties
A selection of opinions on health care developments from around the state.
Los Angeles Times:
Single-Payer Healthcare For California Is, In Fact, Very Doable
The California Senate recently voted to pass a bill that would establish a single-payer healthcare system for the entire state. The proposal, called the Healthy California Act, will now be taken up by the state Assembly. The plan enjoys widespread support — a recent poll commissioned by the California Nurses Assn. found that 70% of all Californians are in favor of a single-payer plan — and with good reason. Under Healthy California, all residents would be entitled to decent healthcare without having to pay premiums, deductibles or copays. (Robert Pollin, 6/21)
Sacramento Bee:
Why Conservatives Can Cheer California’s Single-Payer Bill
Its members are considering a single-payer health care system with annual costs that would considerably exceed the state’s entire current budget. But legislators deserve that one cheer, for the fact that the state is launching its own reform efforts rather than waiting for the federal government. (Robert Graboyes and Trevor Carlsen, 6/21)
Sacramento Bee:
Drop Single Payer, Democrats. California Wants A Middle Way
Extremes make for good headlines. No one seems to know that better than our current president. But here in deep blue California, the extremes that are attracting all the attention are on the other side of the political spectrum. Weeks later, Bernie Sanders’ true believers are still contesting the defeat of their candidate in the vote to chair the state Democratic Party. Meanwhile, one very vocal union, the California Nurses Association, has pushed a single-payer health care plan to the point that the state Senate has passed an egregiously irresponsible bill – one that would crater the state’s current health care delivery system and bankrupt the economy in the unlikely event it was ever enacted. Plus, it would return health care to a fee-for-service system that rewards quantity of service over quality of care. (David Townsend, 6/21)
The Mercury News:
Force Doctors To Disclose Malpractice Discipline
Patients deserve to know when their doctors are on probation, one misstep away from losing their licenses to practice medicine... If anything, the legislation doesn’t go far enough to require patient notification by doctors whom the medical board places on probation. (Barbara Marshman, 6/20)
Los Angeles Times:
Don't Let Rep. Scalise's Injury Cow Us Into Silence About The Need For Gun Control And Universal Healthcare
As a necessary prelude to a necessary discussion, surely we all can agree that best wishes are due to the still-hospitalized House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), who faces a difficult recovery from injuries suffered in the gun attack at a Republican baseball practice June 14. The same goes for the other people injured in the attack, congressional aide Zachary Barth, former House staff member Matt Mika, and Capitol Police officers Crystal Griner and David Bailey. Mika was shot in the chest but is recovering, and the others suffered more minor injuries. (Michael Hiltzik, 6/20)
The Mercury News:
Santa Clara County Leads In Safe Medicine Disposal
Over the years we become increasingly dependent upon the benefits of prescription drugs and other medications to relieve pain, treat illnesses and save lives. Yet, when no longer needed, these same medications can turn deadly. (Bradley, 6/22)
The San Diego Union-Tribune:
Staffing Ratio Bill Could Cut Access To Dialysis
I am infuriated that a labor union is using patients as pawns in a political campaign to get more members. Their dangerous legislation targeting dialysis clinics would end up reducing access to dialysis for thousands of patients, putting our lives at risk. The United Healthcare Workers (UHW) is sponsoring Senate Bill 349, which would set staffing ratios at dialysis clinics. On the surface, it may seem like a good thing, but looking closer, it’s entirely unreasonable. (Wendy Skinner, 6/17)
Los Angeles Times:
Trump's Answer To The Obesity Epidemic: Here, Have A Cookie
The most important news was a largely overlooked announcement from the Trump administration that it’s bowing to the wishes of food companies — and ignoring the pleas of scientific and medical experts — by giving industry players more time to push sugary treats on an increasingly blubbery nation. The Food and Drug Administration said it will delay implementation of planned food-labeling requirements intended to help consumers better understand how much added sugar they’re taking in and how many calories are being added to their bellies. (David Lazarus, 6/20)
Sacramento Bee:
Kids Need More Exercise, Less Homework
When’s the best time to exercise to help slow or stave off osteoporosis, the bone-thinning that occurs in many older people? When we’re kids. (Klein, 6/21)
Modesto Bee:
Roundup Ban Could Be A Green Bonanza For Litigious Environmentalists
Proposition 65 celebrated its 30th anniversary this year, but California’s rate of several common cancers – including mesothelioma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and cancers of the cervix, liver, ovaries, stomach and testicles – are either no different from or higher than national averages. The consequence makes sense, since the state’s current system of slapping a label on everything makes it nearly impossible to determine if a notice foreshadows real harm or if it’s yet another workaround to avoid being sued. (Joseph Perrone, 6/21)