Viewpoints: Single-Payer Bill Exploits Confusion Over What Makes A Good Health System
A selection of opinions on health care developments from around the state.
Modesto Bee:
California Single-Payer Plan Would Be Illegal And Completely Unworkable
I am a lifelong Democrat who has worked for more than a decade to improve the policies and build the coalitions necessary for the success of the Affordable Care Act. ... So why I am so hopping mad about the “single-payer” bill – SB 562 – making its way through California’s legislature? My frustration is with how the bill exploits widespread confusion about good healthcare policy and how other countries achieve them. (Micah Weinberg, 6/8)
Orange County Register:
Is ‘Single Payer’ The Health Care Answer For California?
The California Senate passed a bill last week that would make this the only state to provide health care to all residents through what’s called the single-payer system. Is “single payer” the best health insurance solution? (6/6)
Los Angeles Times:
Trump's Sabotage Of Obamacare Has Just Claimed 10,000 New Victims
A major shoe dropped in the battle to preserve the Affordable Care Act on Tuesday, as Anthem, the nation’s second-largest health insurer, announced it is withdrawing entirely from the individual market in Ohio. The move will leave 18 counties without an insurer in the ACA exchanges, leaving an estimated 10,500 Anthem customers high and dry — most of them in Appalachia, among the poorest parts of the state. (Michael Hiltzik, 6/6)
Los Angeles Times:
Trump Tries To Kill Obamacare Without Actually Pulling The Trigger
Health insurance giant Anthem Inc. didn’t cite President Trump when it announced Tuesday that it was withdrawing from the Obamacare marketplace in Ohio, leaving the marketplace with no insurer in at least 18 counties. But Anthem pointed the finger right at him — and at the Republicans in Congress who are trying to “repeal and replace” the 2010 healthcare law. (Jon Healy, 6/7)
Los Angeles Times:
California Bill Would End 'Purely Profit-Driven' Practice Of Drug-Company Coupons
When it comes to fixing the dysfunctional U.S. healthcare system, state Assemblyman Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) knows there are bigger fish to fry than drug-company discount coupons. But as he told me: “You’ve got to start somewhere.” Wood’s anti-coupon bill, AB 265, was approved by the Assembly last week. The legislation is now making its way through the state Senate. (David Lazarus, 6/6)
Los Angeles Times:
A Big Health Insurer Is Planning To Punish Patients For 'Unnecessary' ER Visits
Anthem is the nation’s second-largest health insurer, with thousands of medical professionals on its payroll. Yet its Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia subsidiary has just informed its members that if they show up at the emergency room with a problem that later is deemed to have not been an emergency, their claim won’t be paid. It’s a new wrinkle in the age-old problem of how to keep patients from showing up at the ER for just anything. But medical experts say the Georgia insurer is playing with fire. By requiring patients to self-diagnose at the risk of being stuck with a big bill, it may discourage even those with genuine emergencies from seeking necessary care. And it’s asking them to take on a task that often confounds even experienced doctors and nurses. (Michael Hiltzik, 6/2)
Los Angeles Times:
'Alexa, What's My Blood Sugar Level And How Much Insulin Should I Take?'
The latest diabetes-related tech endeavor to be announced is the Alexa Diabetes Challenge, which focuses on finding ways for the Amazon Echo smart speaker — and its Alexa digital assistant — to assist people with Type 2 diabetes in living healthier lives. ... The Alexa challenge features a $125,000 grand prize for whoever comes up with the best diabetes app for the Amazon Echo, as well as $25,000 each for up to five finalists. (David Lazarus, 6/9)
Orange County Register:
Unions Only Care About Privacy When It Benefits Them
It turns out the much-heralded commitment of the political left and its allies in organized labor to the ideal of privacy rights has its limits. And that limit once again manages to expire just short of themselves. For example, they’re all for protecting the identities of taxpayer-subsidized home health care providers already represented by the same public-sector unions that fund liberal candidates and causes. (Sam Han, 6/4)
Orange County Register:
Is Your Teen Smoking Weed? How To Talk About Legal Marijuana.
Since Californians voted to legalize the recreational use of marijuana last November, many parents and educators have been wondering how to talk with teens about drug use and prevent abuse now that voters have given lighting up a green light. Proposition 64, also called the California Marijuana Legalization Initiative, is creating a cloud of questions for parents and confusion for teens who grew up with a clear policy of zero drug use in their homes. (Dan Gleason, 6/7)