Viewpoints: Lessons On Why A World Without Roe Would Be Very Complicated
A selection of opinions on health care developments from around the state.
Los Angeles Times:
Alabama's Amendment 2 Provides A View Of A Post-Roe World
In Alabama on Tuesday, 59% of voters ratified Amendment 2, adding the State Abortion Policy Amendment to the state constitution. It would be easy to dismiss Amendment 2 as an empty political gambit aimed at increasing Republican voter turnout, but that would be a mistake. Instead, it represents clear and troubling evidence of what a post-Roe vs. Wade world would look like — and the U.S. Supreme Court should take note now. (Ronald J. Krotoszynski Jr., 11/9)
The Mercury News:
How Trump Administration Rule Would Worsen Hunger
As Bay Area food banks, we work every day to fight hunger in our communities, collectively distributing over 172 million pounds of food each year, the equivalent of 143 million meals. We are alarmed by the Department of Homeland Security’s proposed changes to “public charge” regulations, which would increase hunger and poverty by punishing legal immigrants for using programs to nourish those in need and keep families healthy. The longstanding public charge test is designed to identify immigrants who may depend primarily on the government as their main source of support. (Leslie Bacho, Suzan Bateson and Larry Sly, 11/7)
Sacramento Bee:
Gov.-Elect Newsom, Let’s Work Together, Starting With Housing The Homeless
Congratulations to Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom. I look forward to working with you on solving the state’s most pressing problems. ... Let’s start with addressing homelessness. ... We both could rattle off previous bills on homelessness and some of the underlying issues most prevalent with mentally ill people in California. Yet the state has only taken small steps toward removing the barriers so the least among us can actually afford a place to live. (John Moorlach, 11/8)
The Mercury News:
How To Approach Solving Bay Area Housing Crisis
Tuesday’s election makes it clear that the Bay Area will not solve its housing crisis until it formulates a regional solution with broad support. Voters recognize that the region lacks a coherent approach that will provide the funding and engender the political support necessary to transform it into a place where young people and low- and middle-class workers can live and thrive. (11/8)
Sacramento Bee:
Will Nevada Ever Do The Right Thing And Pay For The Mental Health Patients It Dumped?
Nevada officials should admit fault, cut their losses and pay up for their disgraceful dumping of mental health patients. Instead they’re choosing to continue a pattern of denial and stonewalling that has made this shameful chapter even worse. The state will likely appeal last week’s verdict in a class-action lawsuit, in which a jury found that it must pay $250,000 to each patient it discharged and shipped away on buses. (11/6)
San Francisco Chronicle:
California Needs A Plan For LGBTQ Seniors
In California, 20 percent of seniors live in poverty. In San Francisco, that number jumps to 30 percent. A lack of affordable and safe housing, the threat of eviction and profound income inequality are stripping this community of its heroes. While all of the state’s seniors face similar problems as they age, such as access to health care, long-term care affordability, economic security and affordable housing, LGBTQ seniors experience amplified challenges. (Scott Wiener and Karyn Skultety , 11/7)
Sacramento Bee:
CA Election: Rent Control Measure Failed. Here’s How California Can Fix Housing Crisis
Rising rents are the natural market response to an excess of demand over supply. While rent control benefits those lucky enough to secure below-market rents, it does not increase the number of units. (Larry Harris, 11/7)