Today's Opinions: Sebelius on EMRs, primary care's role in reform and more

Aug 27 2010

The New Momentum Behind Electronic Health Records Kaiser Health News
Health care providers may agree with the benefits of electronic health records. But they also believed that adopting them was too difficult and expensive. … [T]hat's changing - in large part due to an ambitious investment we made in the Recovery Act to reduce many of the obstacles that limited the spread of electronic health records in the past (HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, 8/26).

AMA Can't Be Trusted With Health Care Reform Plans The Florida Times-Union
The AMA provided political cover for a government and corporate takeover of medicine that breaks the trust between patients and doctors -- a betrayal of the finest medical care in the history of the world. Americans cannot trust the AMA leadership on health care at this time (David McKalip, 8/25).

Health Insurance, Yes, Peace Of Mind, No The Des Moines Register
President Barack Obama frequently promotes federal health reform by invoking the "peace of mind" that comes with having quality, affordable insurance. But here in Iowa, the new program comes wrapped in some caution tape (Kathie Obradovich, 8/26).

Obama Lied, Your Insurance Died The Orange County Register
"If you like your health care plan," pledged President Barack Obama, "you will be able to keep your health care plan." As the president barnstormed in favor of his health overhaul, that promise was a constant -- appearing in speeches, media appearances, and all the administration's literature. It was a lie (Sally Pipes, 8/25).

Primary Care Is Crucial To Lower Medical Costs The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What if better health care outcomes could be achieved at lower costs? One might think this impossible, but good evidence suggests that a well-developed, highly functioning primary care system lowers costs and improves health (William Branch Jr., Minesh Shah and Jada Bussey-Jones, 8/25).

The Many Sins Of Deregulation The Washington Post
Who's afraid of a little egg? Of late, anyone who eats them, at least since the announcement of massive recalls of the salmonella-tainted spheroids (Harold Meyerson, 8/26).

Prescription Drug Abuse Needs To End The Chillicothe (Ohio) Gazette
Throughout our communities, we are seeing a disturbing increase in prescription drug abuse and its deadly consequences (Sen. Sherrod Brown, 8/26).

Promoting Prevention Through The Affordable Care Act The New England Journal of Medicine
Too many people in our country are not reaching their full potential for health because of preventable conditions. Moreover, Americans receive only about half of the preventive services that are recommended — a finding that highlights the national need for improved health promotion. The 2010 Affordable Care Act responds to this need with a vibrant emphasis on disease prevention (Howard K. Koh and Kathleen Sebelius). The NEJM also has a collection of other perspectives and editorials -- on topics ranging from how health insurance politics can play out in federal court to more discussion of the English health care system -- available online.