Mientras el Congreso sigue debatiendo la reforma al cuidado de la salud, una encuesta reciente muestra un avasallador apoyo para que haya un plan administrado por el gobierno para competir con los aseguradores privados. Howard Kahn, Director Ejecutivo (CEO) de L. A. Health Care Plan, el mayor plan de cuidados de la salud de todo el país, asegura que su grupo podría servir como un modelo efectivo para la reforma de los cuidados de la salud. Kahn testificará ante el Congreso hoy (JUEVES).

Una encuesta reciente determinó que cuando se trata de cuidados de la salud, al público le gusta el plan público. El Presidente Obama afirma que incluir un plan de seguro para la salud es una política inteligente, y lo que debe hacerse. En California, hay varios planes públicos que benefician a los residentes de bajos ingresos. Kahn confía que su grupo podría ser modelo para desarrollar planes públicos de salud que tengan control local.

"Esto responde a como se prestan los servicios a la salud. Últimamente los cuidados a la salud son un asunto de interés local - - los hospitales y los doctores son locales, los mercados operan localmente."

La encuesta fue iniciativa del New York Times y CBS News encontró que el 72 por ciento apoya los planes de gobierno, aunque poca gente sabe con seguridad cómo funcionan. Los críticos de las propuestas de Obama argumentan que éstas nos llevarían a un sistema nacionalizado de cobertura de salud, y a dosificar la atención. La mayoría de la industria de seguros también objeta el plan público, pues temen que afecte su negocio.

Kahn asegura que el primer paso es una cobertura universal, la cual actualmente tiene un enorme déficit.

"Aunque no nos sentimos un país muy rico, lo somos. Creo que es penoso que no hayamos llegado al punto de cubrir a cuanta persona vive en este país, cuando todos los otros países ricos ya lo han hecho."

Kahn afirma que asegurar a todos no funcionará en el largo plazo si no le ponemos mano al costo. Y una vez que todos estén inscritos, dice, podrán ser mejorados el acceso y la calidad de los cuidados.



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After more than 50 years of use, some Michigan lawmakers say naloxone may not be the best choice in an overdose situation.

Naloxone is sometimes called the "Lazarus drug" because of its powerful ability to seemingly resurrect people after a drug overdose.

Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, and some of his colleagues have introduced a bill which would open the door for what they say are more costly, but more powerful, antidotes.

"Given the prevalence of fentanyl in our communities, and how much stronger some of these drugs that we're now seeing are, we believe -- and in talking with others -- that there should be other tools to respond to an overdose," Hertel explained. "To make sure we're doing everything we can to save somebody's life."

Not everyone is on board with the proposed legislation, Senate Bill 542. Opponents argued the more expensive naloxone alternatives are not necessary, and using them would only increase profits for the pharmaceutical industry.

Jonathan Stoltman, director of the Opioid Policy Institute in Grand Rapids, said while the naloxone alternatives do help in overdose situations, they can also cause nasty side effects.

"The newer approaches, they put people into more severe withdrawal," Stoltman pointed out. "That's a pretty profound negative side effect. The one approach is very inexpensive and works great; the other approach is far more expensive and has this strong negative side effect."

Sponsors of the bill say they're hoping to give Michigan residents a chance to chime in on the issue in a public hearing sometime in June. Michigan saw more than 3,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2021.


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New Mexico saw record enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act this year and is now setting its sights on lowering out-of-pocket costs - those not reimbursed by insurance. More than 56,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in a medical health insurance plan on the state exchange - an increase of 12,000 people overall.

Colin Baillio, deputy superintendent with the state's Office of Insurance, said the state has boosted its outreach and made efforts to improve the overall consumer experience.

"We saw a 40% year-over-year increase, and New Mexico saw the biggest percentage increase during the open-enrollment period among all of the state-based marketplaces," he explained

Part of the enrollment increase is due to what's called the "unwinding" - a federal directive that required all states to redetermine Medicaid eligibility following a three-year pause on checks during the COVID pandemic. He said by using expanded tools made available by the federal and state government, 8% of New Mexico's population is now uninsured - down from 23% in 2010.

Following approval by lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session, the New Mexico governor signed seven health care-related bills into law - one of which requires annual reporting of prescription drug pricing. Baililo said the Affordable Care Act built the foundation that has allowed the state to pursue additional affordability initiatives.

"I'm really glad to see that there's so much interest in the next step of health reform, really leaning into these out-of-pocket cost issues and making it easier for people to afford to stay covered and see their doctors," he continued.

Two years ago, the state also passed a one-of-a-kind law that did away with behavioral health co-pays for people in certain insurance plans.

New York's medical aid-in-dying bill is gaining further support. The Medical Society of the State of New York is supporting the bill. New York's bill allows terminally ill people with only six months to live to use this option, with safeguards requiring two physicians' approval.

The bill's Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, said despite the growing support, other hurdles lie ahead.

"Now we have what I believe, if it came to the floor, a majority. There's still a hesitation on the part of leadership. You know, we need members to assure leadership that they no longer have reservations," she said.

Other newly resolved concerns center on making sure insurance companies and doctors who don't support this aren't held liable. She's optimistic the bill will pass after nine years in the Legislature. New York would be the 11th state along with Washington, D.C. to have medical aid in dying legislation.

Corinne Carey, senior New York campaign director with Compassion and Choices finds the pandemic drew a vivid picture of a person's end-of-life experience. There were images of people dying on ventilators, apart from loved ones, and unable to communicate. She said people began thinking about a "good death."

"And, what is a good death is being surrounded by loved ones, having some measure of control, experiencing the touch of your loved ones, and being the one in the driver's seat," she explained.

Now people have different options for end-of-life care, each of which presents various challenges. Polls show medical aid in dying has garnered considerable support since being introduced in 2015. A 2022 Compassion and Choices poll finds 57% of nurses support medical aid in dying professionally, although fewer support it personally.