To the Point
Is the US Ready for Universal Coverage?
Never mind the November election or the US Supreme Court. The biggest challenge to President Obama's Affordable Care Act is a shortage of doctors.
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenNever mind the November election or the US Supreme Court. The biggest challenge to President Obama's Affordable Care Act is a shortage of doctors. Will we have to rely on practitioners who require less training and the hope that medical-school graduates will choose specialties that aren't in their own economic interests? Also, US generals meet on Afghan attacks, and Romney, Ryan and the furor over a Republican Senatorial candidate's remarks about abortion in cases of what he called "legitimate" rape.
Banner image: Medical students use the medical simulation center at Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii, to hone their skills. Photo by Stephanie Bryant/flickr
In this episode
3 storiesUS Generals Meet on Afghan Attacks
The chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, is in Kabul for private talks about NATO's mission in Afghanistan. In the past two weeks, ten American service members have been killed by Afghans they were supposed to be training. That raises disturbing questions about the American strategy for withdrawal.
Read the story8 minIs the US Ready for Universal Coverage?
America's shortage of doctors has been growing for years, and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is going to make it much worse. Even supporters of "Obamacare" agree that, with 30 million new patients in 2014, there will be 62,000 fewer doctors than needed.
Read the story32 minIs Abortion Back on the Political Agenda?
Missouri Congressman Todd Akin is the Republican candidate for the US Senate seat of Democrat Claire McCaskill . In an interview on local TV he was asked about his opposition to abortion , even in cases of rape. "From what I understand from doctors, that's [pregnancy resulting from rape] really rare.
Read the story12 min
