Which Way, L.A.?
Politics of Healthcare Reform; Smog Tests that Don't Work
Tailpipe and treadmill testing of old cars for smog may become things of the past in California. New technology could mean more effective inspections, lower costs, fraud control and air that's safer to breath. On our rebroadcast of To the Point, with Barack Obama presiding, Democrats and Republicans hashed out the details of healthcare reform for several hours across the street from the White House.
By Warren Olney • • 52m ListenOne-third of California's old cars are failing surprise smog tests, even though they were passed by inspection stations within the past year. We hear about old technology, fraud and efforts to reinvent the smog testing system. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, with President Barack Obama presiding, Democrats and Republicans hashed out the details of healthcare reform for several hours across the street from the White House. We look at the possible impact of today's televised "summit."
Banner image: A mechanic prepares to give a smog check. Photo: David Paul Morris/Getty Images
In this episode
2 storiesHealthcare: Policy and Partisan Politics
Some 40 Democrats and Republicans joined the televised healthcare summit today, with President Obama asking not where they differed but where they agreed. The President began today’s summit claiming that politics has trumped common sense.
Read the story36 minCalifornia Aims to Crack Down on Smog Testing Stations
California's dirty air cost $193 million in medical care from 2005 until 2007. The State Air Resources Board has released a finding that 70 tons of pollutants are released every day from older cars that supposedly passed their smog tests.
Read the story17 min
