Viewpoints: Stop Ignoring Impending Funding Shortfalls For Medicare
A selection of opinions on health care developments from around the state.
Los Angeles Times:
Social Security And Medicare Are In Danger? Nothing To See Here, Says Trump's Treasury Secretary
Trustees overseeing Social Security and Medicare issued yet more warnings this week about the worsening financial health of the programs. In response, Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin told Americans not to worry — the rip-roaring economic growth the Trump administration is whipping up will take care of everything! Except that it won’t, and pretending that the looming funding shortfalls will magically fix themselves is irresponsible and cowardly. (6/8)
Sacramento Bee:
California Can Prevent Suicides With A Voluntary No-Buy List For Guns
California has a firearm suicide problem. Nearly 1,600 residents killed themselves with guns in 2016, and the gun suicide rate is rising at both the state and national levels. Suicide is the most common type of gun violence in the U.S. — on average more than 60 deaths a day, more than were killed in Las Vegas, the deadliest mass shooting in American history. Six out of ten gun deaths are suicides, and firearms account for about half of all suicides. (Fredrick Vars and Bryan Barks, 6/4)
The New York Times:
Is Health Care Really A Winner For Democrats?
After years of struggling with the politics of Obamacare, Democrats now view health care as a winning issue. A candidate in Orange County, California, has a chance of winning a primary on Tuesday while running on explicit support for Medicare for All. Single-payer-friendly Democratic candidates are not just running in deep-blue states; they are campaigning in places like New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Illinois as well as Nebraska and Texas. Across the country, Democrats are making health care a top messaging and policy priority, with some red state Democrats running on Obamacare for the first time. (Peter Suderman, 6/5)
Sacramento Bee:
Ending Prison Contract Will Put Disabled Out Of Work
The Legislature should reject a troubling proposal by the governor to end a state prison's janitorial contract with PRIDE Industries in favor of hiring unionized state employees. A failure to do so will result in a loss for taxpayers, for a vital part of the state's prison health care system and, most importantly, for hard-working people with disabilities. (Patricia Bates and Jesus Andrade, 6/6)
Sacramento Bee:
California Must Invest In Cleaning Up Polluted Communities
While Gov. Jerry Brown’s revised budget proposal touts efforts to reduce California’s carbon footprint, it was silent on solving the persistent problem of air pollution. We need clear commitment to both a cooler atmosphere and cleaner air. (Allen Hernandez, 6/1)
CALMATERS:
Wildfires And Lead Paint Reignite Capitol’s ‘Tort Wars’
For decades, what political insiders dubbed “tort wars” raged in the Capitol.Business and professional trade organizations and their insurers battled incessantly with personal injury lawyers over rules governing who could sue whom and collect damages with untold billions of dollars at stake. Highlights – or lowlights – included Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature on a 1975 law that limits pain and suffering damages in medical malpractice cases; the infamous “napkin deal” in 1987 that imposed a five-year truce in the wars; a ballot clash over auto insurance in 1988; a successful insurer-backed referendum to repeal a lawyer-sponsored “bad faith” law in 2000; and still another ballot battle in 2004 that curbed unfair business practice lawsuits against small business. (Dan Walters, 6/6)
San Francisco Chronicle:
SF Must Help Pregnant Homeless Women Qualify For Housing
San Francisco’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing qualifies pregnant women for family shelter before the third trimester only if they are shown to be medically at risk, with certification. Few qualify. (Jennifer Friedenbach and Valerie Schmalz, 6/7)
Sacramento Bee:
California: Legislature, Use Surplus To Fix Rape Kit Backlog
Last month in Sacramento, we witnessed the shocking arrest of the East Area Rapist. The case highlighted, again, the importance of DNA evidence in solving crimes. What a relief that those victims will finally have their day of justice. But what about other victims? Why does California lag in testing the DNA evidence of their ordeals, particularly victims of rape? (Elena Lee Reeder, 6/7)