OpEds: Health costs and new law; Penn. doctor supply; Anesthesiologists vs. nurses

Healthcare Reforms Don't Go Far Enough The Los Angeles Times
Some sort of Medicare-for-all program remains the only equitable way that every American can be provided with adequate and affordable coverage. This wouldn't be socialized medicine and it wouldn't be state-run healthcare (David Lazarus, 9/7).

Despite Reform, Health Costs Are Still On The Rise The (Wilmington, Del.) News Journal
Health insurance reform was supposed to be a political plus for Democrats in this year's election. Unfortunately for them and the rest of the nation, it's not working out that way (9/7).

Health Care Reform Economics: Controlling Costs Key  The (Miss.) Clarion Ledger
The U.S. spends much more on health care than is the norm in wealthy countries and, at the same time, the U.S. ranking in life expectancy is low (we're 28th in the world). Outcomes even for the insured population are not always better than elsewhere: carefully controlled studies often find that countries such as Canada perform better than the U.S. (Marianne T. Hill, 9/5).

Health Law -- Good Things Are Coming The Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette
The health-reform law that eventually passed Congress is long, complex and different from anything that any one person, group or editorial page advocated. In short, it was a compromise, even with lawmakers who, after winning their compromises, chose not to vote for it. However complicated, though, it is full of protections and opportunities to make Americans healthier and wealthier (9/3).  

Who Should Provide Anesthesia Care? The New York Times
Can a highly trained nurse deliver anesthetics as well as a physician who has specialized in anesthesiology, or does the nurse require close medical supervision? ... In the long run, there also could be savings to the health care system if nurses delivered more of the care. ... As health reformers seek ways to curb medical spending, they need to consider whether this is a safe place to do it (9/6).

The Doctor Is Back In The Philadelphia Inquirer
Over a span of just a few years, Pennsylvania physician leaders have gone from warning of a declining number of doctors in the state to heralding new data -- released last week -- that shows their numbers are growing again (9/7).

In Defense of Physician Autonomy The Wall Street Journal
[We] must recognize that many physicians will often make decisions that deliberately do not conform to "community standards"—and that patients will be better for it (Dr. Saul Greenfield, 9/7).

Social Security's Disabled Adult Child Program: A Key Option Often Below The Radar Kaiser Health News
Intellectual disability is often accompanied by costly illnesses and social service needs. Even if someone spends his entire life in the house he grew up in, his family may eventually need public help to make ends meet. For many families, a little-known aspect of Social Security, awkwardly labeled the Disabled Adult Child program, makes a huge difference (Harold Pollack, 9/6).

Our Obligation To Educate California Consumers About Their New Health Care Rights The Huffington Post
When it is fully implemented, the new health care law will bring in more than $120 billion federal dollars over the next 10 years that will be invested in the health and well-being of Californians and their communities (Robert Ross, 9/4).

Learning To Talk The Talk In A Hospital The New York Times
In hospitals, there is a special kind of communication among doctors and nurses, an essential skill not easily learned. I've come to call it the Rattle. In the Rattle, speed matters far more than style (Theresa Brown, R.N., 9/6).