A selection of today's opinions and editorials

Nov 18 2009

What Our Amendment Does Politico
Rather than work with us to find a true compromise, members who support abortion rights ignored our concerns (Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., 11/18).

Health 'Reform' Gets a Failing Grade The Wall Street Journal
As the dean of Harvard Medical School I am frequently asked to comment on the health-reform debate. I'd give it a failing grade (Jeffrey S. Flier, 11/17).

End Health Care Waste The Sioux Falls Argus Leader
As an American citizen, I am extremely concerned about the unnecessary spending that takes place in our health care system (Anthony J. Reiss, 11/18).

Is AARP Doing A Good Job For Its Members In The Health Care Debate? YES The Modesto Bee
AARP, the gargantuan public interest group that has defended and expanded seniors' benefits for 50 years, finds itself under attack by the vociferous voices of the far right (Wayne Madsen, 11/18).

The Drug Industry Cashes In The New York Times
The drug industry has been ramping up its prices in advance of any health care reforms that might clamp down on its profits. The industry's rapid price escalation over the past year threatens to make a mockery of its deal with the Senate Finance Committee and the Obama administration to contribute $80 billion over the next decade to help pay for covering tens of millions of uninsured Americans (11/17).

Flaws In The Health Care Overhaul Plan McClatchy/Kansas City Star 
This may sound surprising, but Republicans don't have a monopoly on opposition to health care reform. Some Democrats also have doubts — if not on the merits of the plans before Congress, then on the decision to put health care ahead of reviving the economy (E. Thomas McClanahan, 11/18).

Dems' Health Reforms Attack Taxpayer Wallets The Detroit News
While House Democratic leaders have gloated over their recent approval of a 1,990-page health reform proposal that would cost in excess of $1 trillion, the American people may be less enthused with the results. Congress should be working to make health care more affordable -- not more expensive -- for ordinary Americans (Sally C. Pipes, 11/18).

Health Reform's Conservative Roots  The Boston Globe

Time for a history lesson: Mandatory national health insurance was invented by an anti-socialist conservative in Germany during the laissez-faire Gilded Age (Rich Barlow, 11/18).