Today’s Opinions And Editorials
Both Parties Should Heed Warnings In Poll Results The Washington PostGiven the heavy load of partisanship and distrust that surrounds health-care reform, it is important that the summit take a substantive step on which the parties can agree. Creating the exchanges [where individuals and companies could shop for health coverage] would be such a step and would signal a commitment to tackle more controversial decisions, rather than abandoning the effort. This project is not hopeless, especially if politicians fear for their political lives (David S. Broder, 2/14).
Medicaid Challenge The Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World
Every individual or group that depends on state funds is hurting right now, but when it comes to budget cuts that are penny-wise and pound-foolish, cuts in Medicaid reimbursement may take the cake (2/15).
The Health Reform That Scares Both Parties Kaiser Health News
Twenty-seven years ago, President Ronald Reagan and a Congress split between Republican and Democratic control agreed to a radical new payment scheme for Medicare. ... Although this stunning achievement led to a permanent change in how both the public and private sector pay for health care, it has gone curiously unmentioned during more than a year of rancorous health reform debate (Michael L. Millenson, 2/16).
A Real Solution For Covering The Uninsured Fox News
Health care reform must start with Medicaid, which already spends over $400 billion a year providing substandard coverage for 50 million poor Americans (Peter Ferrara, 2/15).
Let's Make a Deal The New York Times
High-profile summit meetings flop more often than they succeed. But Barack Obama's promised health care conference with Republican leaders, if it actually comes off, promises to be a particularly depressing exercise in grandstanding and gamesmanship. That's because both sides believe they're on the verge of a comprehensive victory (Ross Douthat, 2/14).
Mental Health Revisions Can Lead To Better Care Kansas City Star
To recognize mental illness is to invoke the responsibility to do something about it. And for more than 30 years, treating the mentally ill out of public funds has not exactly been a popular proposition. So, my plea is that we don't squander this moment of spotlight on mental health. Understanding the human mental condition is a lot like learning a language. The more you learn, the more you understand how little we know (Mary Sanchez, 2/15).
Respect for Women In Uniform The New York Times
The Pentagon's decision to begin making so-called morning-after emergency contraception available at military bases around the world marked welcome, if overdue, progress in meeting the health needs of women serving the United States in the military (2/14). This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
