Here’s a look at opinion content published over the last three days.
Saturday, July 17
A pair of writers asses how the recently-passed health care-reform legislation will impact Medicare:
Payment forumla a problem: Rep. Jim McDermott
Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., the only psychiatrist serving in Congress, argues against a Republican talking point that alleges that many doctors will stop accepting Medicare as a form of payment once health reform is fully enacted.
Doctor departure will accelerate: Grace-Marie Turner
Grace-Marie Turner, president and founder of the Galen Institute, which is funded in part by the pharmaceutical and medical industries, argues that the mass departure of doctors from private practice will only accelerate once health reform is fully in place, an exodus she argues will be fueled by new rules for Medicare.
Sunday, July 18
New HIV/AIDS program: Editorial
We comment on the new White House initiative to combat HIV and AIDS, arguing that the plan is worthy, even if it doesn’t pour more money into prevention and treatment programs. We write:
”… Those who see the lack of funding as a fatal flaw are selling the program short. While it is important to ensure all who need it can afford expensive medication, money is not the only answer to fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS. The White House initiative calls for a unified effort with federal, state and local governments, as well as the public and private sectors. As we’ve learned in many health initiatives in other parts of the world, it’s not only money that leads to success. Some of the most successful health initiatives have cost pennies per life saved. …”
Steinbrenner remembered: Perspective
Al Neuharth, founder of USA Today, offers a perspective piece on the life of George Steinbrenner, owner of the New York Yankees.
Indian Point: Community View
Ronald Hicks, president and CEO of Rockland Economic Development Corp., offers a Community View in support of Entergy, operators of Indian Point nuclear power plant in Buchanan, and its opposition to a state DEC ruling that would require it to build cooling towers.
Yonkers garbage: Reisman
Phil Reisman takes another look at the Yonkers garbage crisis in his Sunday column. He writes:
”… That the garbage crisis appears over — note the word appears — may be cause for celebration. But you would be well within your rights to remain steamed about the fiasco that played out over the last three weeks.“The other day while walking down the street, I found the chewed remains of a plastic, jumbo-sized Skippy peanut butter jar that one may reasonably assume had been liberated from an uncollected pile of trash — since uncollected trash was becoming the new normal in Yonkers. …”
Goldman Sachs: Cartoon
Matt Davies comments on Goldman Sachs’ settlement with the SEC in his cartoon.
Monday, July 19
Caffeinated alcohol: Editorial
We applaud an effort by Sen. Charles Schumer to coerce the Federal Trade Commission to probe the marketing efforts of companies who produce caffeinated alcohol. We write:
“Why don’t the manufacturers of Four Loko, Joose and other caffeinated alcoholic drinks just throw a little nicotine in the can, too? Then the cool looking, cheap, fruity drinks, which contain more than twice as much alcohol as a beer, would be a parents’ complete worst nightmare in a can. …”… The drinks contain between 10 and 12 percent alcohol, but are often placed right next to alcohol-free energy drinks to make them seem more kid-friendly than they are — at least to unsuspecting grownups. That only adds to the appeal for the younger audience. …”
English language: Community View
Lucille Guttman of White Plains responds to a July 3 Community View on cuts to language education. Guttman argues:
”… In the United States, English is the glue that binds us together. The emphasis should be on English acquisition in the primary grades.“If other countries emphasize and require English as a second language, it is precisely because of recognition of its importance globally. For us, in the United States, English enables a child to learn in a classroom, then work in an office, even internationally; to succeed in college, or certainly to sit across a table in a school cafeteria or restaurant, and converse on all levels. …”