Archive for September, 2009
Nightly News Scan, 9/16/09
Author: NikNote: I have a ton to say about Baucus’ health plan. Will detail in a later post. Baucus Offers Health Plan but Lacks G.O.P. Support — NYT Hill steels itself for troops debate — Politico U.S. to Shelve Nuclear-Missile Shield — WSJ California’s jobs picture will be grim for two years, forecasters say — Sac [...]
Read moreNightly News Scan, 9/15/09
Author: NikReally interesting news day: Baucus’ bill gets no love from GOP — Politico Resolution of disapproval passed — Politico Military Chief Says More Troops Needed for Afghan War — NYT Fed Chief Says Recession Is ‘Very Likely Over” — NYT White House Seeks Renewal of Surveillance Laws — WaPo Bill Clinton Endorses Gavin Newsom for [...]
Read moreHealth Reform and Young People
Author: NikAs a group, young people remain unplugged from the health care debate. We suffer from an “intensity gap”—while we are the most likely to support reform, we are the least likely to express our views. As a result, our voices are ignored. Our silence on this issue is unfortunate—as young adults, we stand to gain [...]
Read moreNightly News Scan, 9/14/09
Author: NikNational news: For Obama, a Chance to Reform the Street Is Fading Reforming the Financial System — NYT Dems to vote on Wilson sanction — Politico California news: Schwarzenegger to craft his own renewable energy plan — Sac Bee Deadline Looms for California’s Inmate-Reduction Plan — Washington Post Two great Ezra Klein posts today: Doctors [...]
Read moreWhat Else is in Health Reform?
Author: NikIn other words, is it worth passing without a public option? Reasonable people (including Howard Dean) argue any bill without a public option is a farce, and their answer is no. However, I respectfully disagree. Health reform has two main objectives—expanding access, and controlling costs. The public option is mainly a cost-control measure, and without [...]
Read moreNightly News Scan, 9/13/09
Author: NikNational news: Obama Turns Efforts to Financial Reform — WaPo U.S. Is Finding Its Role in Business Hard to Unwind — NYT U.S. to Expand Detainee Review in Afghan Prison — NYT Clean Water Laws Are Neglected, at a Cost in Suffering — NYT California news: Unfinished business likely to bring California Legislature back to [...]
Read moreWhy Pay For Others?
Author: NikAlthough some will undoubtedly question why we should pay for others’ coverage, the simple answer is that we already do. When someone without insurance enters an emergency room, they are not refused service – their tab is merely transferred to those with coverage. This “uncompensated care” raises insured families’ health costs by an average of [...]
Read moreNightly News Scan, 9/11/09
Author: NikObviously, today’s the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. I don’t have anything eloquent to say, so let me point you to Ezra Klein’s remarks. We’re still here, America. Now, the news: UC system considering 32% fee hike — SF Chronicle Lawmakers approve scaled down prison cuts — Sac Bee CA lawmakers pass anti-recission bill [...]
Read moreHealth Reform and the Deficit
Author: NikRepublicans often claim that our deficit, projected at $1.6 trillion, should preclude any health reform. With vigor, they denounce Democrats for proposing a “trillion dollar health bill” in such an environment. However, their criticisms are short-sighted. Reform is deficit-neutral in the short term, and it will save trillions of dollars over time. Certainly, reform will [...]
Read moreNightly News Scan, 9/6/09
Author: NikJust four articles today: U.S. Share of Worldwide Arms Market Grows — NYT Natural Gas Hits a Roadblock in the Energy Bill — NYT Obama Readies Health-Care Reform Specifics — Washington Post San Francisco mayor makes bold moves with mixed results — LA Times Nik Dixit Policy Director
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