Short-sighted GOP Steadily Dismantling Health Reform

J. Howard DeHoff, MD, of South Whitehall Township, is a primary care internist.

Short-sighted GOP Steadily Dismantling Health Reform

The House GOP is gloating about the recent passage of HR 1216, which rescinds the funds obligated by the Affordable Care Act for training much-needed primary care physicians, but millions of Americans will suffer if the Senate follows suit. The shortage of primary care physicians has already reached crisis levels in many areas -- nearly every county in Pennsylvania is experiencing a shortage of primary care providers. And according to primary care physician Dr. Howard DeHoff, "by 2025, there will be a shortage of 35,000 to 44,000 primary care physicians leaving more than 66 million Americans without access to quality care." The result, he worries, will be millions of people at risk for heart attacks, diabetes, obesity, depression, domestic violence, tobacco addiction, drug and alcohol abuse, arthritis, influenza -- and without quality care. What's the old saying -- "an ounce of prevention..."

To view full article: http://www.mcall.com/opinion/yourview/mc-primary-care-physicians-dehoff-yv-20110608,0,6645569.story

An Easy Target - House GOP Threatens to Cut Metro

An Easy Target - House GOP Threatens to Cut Metro

While we understand the daunting budget challenges facing our Congress as they tackle our growing national debt crisis, we are again baffled by House GOP proposed cuts to funding in the Disctrict of Columbia, and more specifically for the Metro budget. Washington D.C. is our nation's capitol, and has changed into an international city and tourist hotspot. Without Metro our city would fail to be meet the consmopolitan demands of such a city. Businesses would be hurt, as customers would no longer be able to access affordable transportation to their stores. The effects would be devastating to the city, especially to it's poorest residents. We hope that the Democratic-controlled Senate will not allow such budgetary cuts to be finalized in any budget that ultimately passes, without serious thought as to how those needed funds can be replaced. This city simply needs a functioning, affordable, public transportation system.

Highlighted Clip for Monday, February 14, 2011:

"House Republicans propose deep cuts to District, Metro budgets"

By Ben Pershing

House Republicans unveiled a spending resolution Friday night that would cut federal payments to the District by nearly $80 million and slash Metro funding by $150 million over the next eight months, as the GOP seeks to fulfill its campaign pledge to rein in government outlays.