Today’s Selection Of Opinions And Editorials
Why We Need Health Care Reform The New York TimesIf you don't have health insurance, you will finally have quality, affordable options once we pass reform. If you have health insurance, we will make sure that no insurance company or government bureaucrat gets between you and the care you need (Barack Obama, 8/15).
Tort Reform Doesn't Cut Health Costs The Lexington Herald-Leader
But states that have enacted curbs on what McConnell calls "junk lawsuits" have yet to see the cost savings promised by McConnell and other proponents of tort reform (8/16).
Illegal Immigrants Debate Could Potentially Block Reform The Los Angeles Times
The economic and public-health effects of extending coverage to noncitizens are worth exploring, but not at the expense of reforms that are vital to millions of Americans (8/17).
In Defense Of Britain's Health System The Washington Post
Americans fear that countries such as Britain and Canada ration care -- and that such rationing could and should never be tolerated in the United States. Yet 47 million uninsured is quite an extreme form of rationing (Ara Darzi and Tom Kibasi, 8/17).
Telling Grandma 'No' The New York Times
But Barack Obama is wiser than most Democratic congressmen, and his nightmares are savvier. Instead of right-wing protesters, he dreams about old people (Ross Douthat, 8/16).
Research Effectiveness Warnings The Washington Times
Every dollar a private employer, hospital, pharmaceutical or insurance company pays to support the CCER is one dollar less it spends on employee health benefits, patient care, research or claims reimbursements (Kristine Iverson, 8/17).
Congress Should Reimpose Ban On TV Prescription Drug Ads The Modesto Bee
Now that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has the power to regulate tobacco advertising, it should consider doing the same for another potentially addictive substance - prescription drugs (Wayne Madsen, 8/16).
White House Cost Controls Could Backfire In Shortages Kansas City Star
However, arbitrary and indiscriminate price-fixing to satisfy a preordained spending target could backfire, forcing many physicians to stop seeing Medicare patients (John Sheldon, 8/16). This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.