Today's selection of opinions and editorials

From Sick Care To Prevention And Wellness The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"Yes, we are going to crack down on health insurance company abuses and extend health insurance coverage. But, just as important, we are going to give our citizens access to a 21st century health care system — one that is focused on preventing obesity and disease, and helping us to live healthy, active, productive lives" (Sen. Tom Harkin, 10/12).

Bend The Revenue Curve The Washington Post
"Anyone who thinks that health-care reform alone is going to close the massive current -- and even larger projected -- U.S. budget deficit is deluded. President Obama has pledged that health-care reform will not make matters worse. But that isn't good enough. There is no way to restore this nation to fiscal health without higher taxes -- for the middle class as well as for the rich. The only question is when" (Henry J. Aaron and Isabel V. Sawhill, 10/13).

How A Public Option Saved My Life The Washington Post
"I know some might look at the cost of my care -- the price tag of my life -- and say it should not have been the taxpayers' burden, but there is not one person among us who will not one day get sick. It is as inevitable as gravity and as certain as death. In this generous nation, shouldn't everyone who gets sick have the opportunity to get well again? How else can an American fulfill his or her inalienable right to life?" (Ibby Caputo, 10/13).

Capitalist Case For Nonprofit Health Insurance Forbes
"For-profit health insurance has undermined our economy and society. It's time to try something old" (John E. Girouard, 10/12)."

An Unhealthy Debate Newsweek
"Today I am no more hopeful, reform or not, that our company's lot will change. I will still think twice about adding jobs when I know that I am not just taking on a new wage or salary, but high health-care costs as well. 'How can you have a job recovery when you worry about such things,' a small parts supplier of mine agreed. I don't know the answer. But I am pretty convinced those who should know in Washington aren't offering the answer either" (Kevin Kelly, 10/12).

Can Health Care Reform Help Medicare? Newsday
"We haven't really explored one of the lingering issues emerging from the more civil discussions on the several bills before Congress to reform the American system of health insurance: Will it be good for the 45 million Americans on Medicare?" (Friedman, 10/12).

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This article was reprinted from khn.org with permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent news service, is a program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health care policy research organization unaffiliated with Kaiser Permanente.