Viewpoints: Fascination with Wyden, Ryan plan; Need for school nurses; Pa. abortion bill controversy

The Washington Post: What Wyden-Ryan Hath Wrought
The new Wyden-Ryan Medicare framework is the most fascinating policy and political maneuver of the year. Let me try to explain why (Matt Miller, 12/15).

The Philadelphia Inquirer: Philadelphia's Schools Need Their Nurses
Trained, certified school nurses function as first responders for children and adolescents, especially in poor communities where many lack adequate health insurance. Children are going to school with serious medical issues that require hands-on, professional intervention every day. That's why the Philadelphia School District's latest attempt to cure its perpetual budget problems by eliminating school nurses is ridiculous. The district already eliminated 47 school nurses in June, leaving just 230 to address the complex health needs of 161,000 students in both public and private schools. Now the district wants to lay off another 51 nurses, hurting more of the city's most vulnerable (Jerry T. Jordan, 12/16). 

The Philadelphia Inquirer: New Abortion-Clinic Rules Would Harm Women
Gov. Corbett should carefully consider the consequences and refuse to sign legislation that would roll back women's ability to obtain safe abortions. Before it adjourned for the holidays, the state Senate approved a bill Wednesday that goes too far in tightening regulations on abortion clinics. Supporters say the measure will prevent more travesties such as the deaths of unborn babies that led to murder charges against Kermit Gosnell, the operator of a Philadelphia abortion clinic. … This bill represents a blatant attempt to shut down even those abortion clinics that have operated safely and without incident for years (12/16).

Minnesota Public Radio: Status Quo On Emergency Contraceptives Won't Stop Teens From Having Sex
Birth control is no stranger to controversy, but we must keep the facts front and center. The decision to maintain the status quo on emergency contraception won't prevent teens from becoming sexually active and it won't help parents keep their kids safe. But it will mean that fewer teens will have access to emergency contraception if and when they need it (Sarah Stoesz, 12/16).

Politico: Health Reform Foes' Dismal Vision
The Supreme Court's recent decision to consider the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act has reignited the national debate about the future of health care reform. But in Maryland, we can see the value of health care reform every day. ... Opponents of this health reform act have taken aim largely at its minimum coverage provision, known as the "individual mandate," which is to take effect in 2014. They argue that requiring citizens to have insurance is tantamount to "regulating inactivity" and exceeds Congress' power to regulate interstate commerce. This argument is significantly flawed, however (Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown, 12/15).

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Better Health, Byte By Byte
Thanks to new research work taking place at the Georgia Institute of Technology in collaboration with IBM, Atlanta is aiming to be the first city in the country to use "environmental" data to transform pediatric health care…. Factors far beyond the traditional health care system -; including finance, urban planning, individual behavior, disease transmission, clinical research and media -; have an influence on human health. Understanding the interconnectedness of factors is critical to developing effective programs that enhance health and well-being (Curtis Tearte, 12/15).