The Two Schools of Healthcare

By Shmully Schwartz
Published on March 13, 2013

A note to Jewish grandparents

Published on November 1, 2012

I believe there is a unique bond between grandparents and grandchildren. We look out for each other. We have each other’s backs.

On the issues: Obama and Romney on abortion, Iran, Israel and more

Published on October 29, 2012

JTA reviews the positions of presidential candidates Barack Obama, the Democratic incumbent, and Republican challenger Mitt Romney on some issues of importance to the Jewish community.

How to lose the next debate

By Marty Kaplan
Published on October 4, 2012

A couple of weeks ago, when I wrote a “Romney Wins First Debate” column, I didn’t think I was going out on a limb. Obama’s re-election was looking increasingly likely, but audiences don’t show up to watch paint dry.

First presidential debate spotlights economy, health care

Published on October 4, 2012

President Obama and Mitt Romney focused on revenue and spending, with an emphasis on health care, in their first presidential debate.

JFS awarded Obamacare contract to reduce hospital readmissions

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on September 5, 2012

Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles is heading up a collaborative effort, funded by President Obama’s Affordable Care Act, to reduce unnecessary hospital readmissions for Medicare patients. The newly formed Los Angeles-Mid-City Integrated Care Collaborative will involve three hospitals and 14 nursing facilities, as well as a roster of community-based organizations in providing the medical, social, case management and mental health services needed to keep the elderly at home after they have been released from a hospital.

Opinion: Obama, Jewish tradition agree on universal health care

Published on July 30, 2012

"My son, the doctor." Why does every Jewish mother have to have a doctor in the family? It might be because the immigrant mentality desperately desires a secure and well-paid profession, but in fact, there is a deeper reason why Jewish mothers want a doctor son.

Tough slog ahead for implementing affordable care

By Raphael J. Sonenshein
Published on July 18, 2012

If Barack Obama is re-elected as president, the overriding purpose of his second term will be the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Implementation and the use of executive power have not been Obama’s strengths, but he is going to have to get better very quickly. A powerful presidency mixes the “bully pulpit” with a maximum use of the president’s authority, from conception of a policy to its implementation.

Letters to the Editor: Israel, health care, education

Published on July 11, 2012

David Suissa compellingly observes that the principal motivator of anti-Israel sentiment is the charge of “occupier”...

A good deed for health care in a weary world

Published on July 9, 2012

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act is far more than a narrow legal decision. It is a decisive affirmation of what is right. Health care surely is right -- and a right.

Editorial Cartoon: The Supreme Court taketh away… and the Supreme Court giveth

By Steve Greenberg
Published on July 5, 2012

Jewish groups largely applaud health care ruling

Published on July 2, 2012

American Jewish groups -- with the notable exception of the Republican Jewish Coalition -- were largely satisfied with the U.S. Supreme Court’s vote to uphold President Obama’s landmark Affordable Care Act in a 5-4 vote.

HEALTH CARE DECISION – Jews React: Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform

Published on June 29, 2012

Today is a bright day for our nation, and, especially, for those whose access to health care is fragile. Today's historic ruling on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a victory for those whose believe, as we do, that health care is a fundamental right, and, especially given the lead opinion by Chief Justice Roberts, a victory for the court itself.

HEALTH CARE DECISION—Jews Respond: Nancy K. Kaufman, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women

Published on June 29, 2012

"The US Supreme Court's decision to uphold the entire Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a huge victory for women and families across the country.

HEALTH CARE DECISION — Jews React: Spokesperson for Los Angeles’ Saban Free Clinic

By Ryan Torok
Published on June 29, 2012

"Obviously we're very excited over the Supreme Court's decision to uphold this important law. We applaud theirdecision and think it's a huge step forward for our patients and the community," Ray said.

HEALTH CARE DECISION — Jews React: Rabbi Elliot Dorff

Published on June 29, 2012

American individualism, at the root of some of the great blessings of freedom and pluralism of our country, is also the ultimate cause over the last half century of our inability as a nation to come together to provide health care for us all, in shameful contrast to all the other Western democracies.

HEALTH CARE DECISION — Jews React: Bikur Cholim Jewish Healthcare Foundation President

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on June 28, 2012

Rabbi Hershy Ten, president of Bikur Cholim Jewish Healthcare Foundation in Los Angeles, never thought the health care system needed much reform.

HEALTH CARE DECISION — Jews React: Beverly Hills cardiologist and internist

By Ryan Torok
Published on June 28, 2012

Beverly Hills cardiologist and internist Dr. Reed Wilson — a former member of the Republican Jewish Coalition who helped found its Los Angeles chapter — called the mandate "an amazing breach of the American trust." Moreover, he said, the law's finer print contains "rules and regulations" pertaining to doctor reimbursement rates that will threaten physicians' private practices and health care quality.

HEALTH CARE DECISION — Jews React: Chief executive officer of Bend the Arc

By Ryan Torok
Published on June 28, 2012

"This is a huge win for the American people," said Alan van Capelle, chief executive officer of Bend the Arc, a Jewish social justice organization. "The Supreme Court has validated the ACA [Affordable Care Act]."

HEALTH CARE DECISION — Jews React: One LA community organizer

By Ryan Torok
Published on June 28, 2012

Skip Koenig, a Temple Judea congregant and co-chair of the community organizing group One LA's health strategy team. Koenig said he is "thrilled" and "excited" about the court's decision to uphold the mandate that requires all Americans to buy health insurance.

HEALTH CARE DECISION — Jews react: Los Angeles Jewish Home CEO & President

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on June 28, 2012

Molly Forrest, CEO and president of the Los Angeles Jewish Home, had surgery to alleviate arthritis in her neck in December 2010.

HEALTH CARE DECISION — Jews react: Jewish Family Service CEO

By Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Published on June 28, 2012

Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles CEO Paul Castro lauded the announcement of the Supreme Court's decision this morning to uphold President Obama's Affordable Care Act, saying it will benefit JFS's target population.

Supreme Court upholds most of Obama’s health care law

Published on June 28, 2012

The U.S. Supreme Court voted to uphold President Obama's landmark Affordable Care Act in a 5-4 vote, with Chief Justice John Roberts voting in the majority.

Praying over the Supreme Court’s health care decision

By Brad A. Greenberg
Published on June 28, 2012

U.S. Supreme Court upholds Obama healthcare law centerpiece

Published on June 28, 2012

A sharply divided U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the centerpiece of President Barack Obama's signature healthcare overhaul law that requires that most Americans get insurance by 2014 or pay a financial penalty.

The Other Choo

By Steve Greenberg
Published on May 9, 2012

Editorial Cartoon

Moral hazards and the health care debate

Published on April 3, 2012

Last week, many of us followed with much anxiety the Supreme Court debate about the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, referred to in some circles as “Obamacare.”

Obamacare’s heated day at Supreme Court: Kagan, Ginsburg attempt to aid defense of the law

Published on March 27, 2012

The Supreme Court appeared closely divided along ideological lines during tense arguments over President Barack Obama's healthcare law on Tuesday, with conservative justices vigorously questioning the Obama administration's lawyer on whether Congress had the power to require people to buy medical insurance.

Joe Kaufman: I’m the only GOP candidate in Florida that can defeat Wasserman-Schultz

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on November 30, 2011

Republican Joe Goldner: Unlike Kaufman, I have no ties to any interest group

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on November 30, 2011

Opinion: Fighting to preserve Obamacare

By Susan Freudenheim
Published on September 27, 2011

I broke a bone in my foot several weeks ago, and I’ve been limping around in an expensive, ugly boot and shlepping to doctors ever since. A simple slip costs lots of money — happily, not entirely to me. I have health insurance; I’m lucky.

Balancing the budget: Making the weak pay

Published on March 1, 2011

As a loyal Jewish Democrat and longtime advocate of social justice, she never thought she would find herself fighting Jerry Brown, a man she voted for three times for governor. Yet the 94-year-old is suddenly on the wrong side of Brown’s proposed budget cuts that would slash state spending by $12.5 billion, ripping a hole in numerous social service programs and eliminating others entirely.

Jews Should Oppose Universal Health Care

Published on September 4, 2009

In the always lively Jewish Journal of Los Angeles, Rabbi Elliot Dorff writes in a cover essay that "support for universal health care is an imperative in Jewish law." Is it now? On health care reform, Rabbi Dorff has his classical sources all lined up -- most having to do with obligations on the community to rescue its needy, the captive, and those otherwise endangered. The communal court system can compel a person to give charity in support of the poor. Proper medical services are a necessity in a Jewish community. And so on. Whether through socialized medicine or government health insurance, something must be done: the fact of there being 40 million uninsured Americans is "intolerable."

Why We Must Support Universal Health Care

Published on August 26, 2009

Whether or not we are believers in the Obama plan, or any of the particular plans for universal health care currently winding their way through Congress, support for universal health care is an imperative in Jewish law. Although what is available in medicine and its cost have changed radically, particularly over the past century, the fundamental right to receive good care — and to be compensated for giving it — goes very far back in our heritage, though perhaps, ironically, not all the way to the Torah or even the Mishnah.

Kumbaya, Not Kevorkian, Will Kill Granny

By Marty Kaplan
Published on August 24, 2009

I don’t know which is more dispiriting: the New York Times’ failure to call Betsy McCaughey a liar, or Barack Obama’s failure to call Chuck Grassley a liar. It’s tempting to think of both failures as cowardice, a mortal fear of being branded “liberal.” But ironically it’s liberalism itself that makes them both mistake their cowardice for fair-mindedness.