A Selection Of Opinions And Editorials
The End Of Medical Miracles? Wall Street Journal"FDA timidity is especially problematic and often detrimental to public health when it comes to risky new drugs for cancer or new antibiotics for increasingly resistant infections" (Tevi Troy, 6/1).
The $2 Trillion Savings Plan American Medical News
"The AMA is on record saying that empowering doctors to implement strategies to improve care and avoid unnecessary services is far more effective than across-the-board payment cuts to physicians and others" (Editorial, 6/1).
Health care reform: Tough task ahead The Washington Times
"Congress must find specific savings now to offset the substantial cost of health reform over the next 10 years, as the nation moves toward universal coverage (itself a necessary condition for restraining costs over time). To find the savings, policymakers will have to stand up to interest groups and make tough choices on both spending and revenues" (Robert Greenstein, 6/2).
$2.5 Trillion-Plus Question: How To Pay For Health Care? Des Moines Register
"The bottom line is there is no free ride in health care. Paying for it - for today's Americans and future generations - is going to require difficult decisions about spending less, spending smarter and generating revenue" (Editorial, 6/2).
Recession is making nursing shortage worse The Philadelphia Inquirer
"The recession has given us a temporary reprieve, due to lower demand for elective health services and lower production of nurses. But that short-term bandage is about to be yanked off, and, unless we act quickly, what lies ahead will be painful for patients and the entire health-care system" (Risa Lavizzo-Mourey and Joan Verplanck, 6/2).
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.