Health Care

nytimes.com
February 21, 2012
Gardiner Harris
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/22/health/policy/fda-approves-imports-amid-shortage-of-2-cancer-drugs.html?hp

Summary-
    Some severe drug shortages in the United States have been alleviated for now. Many drug shortages have happened in the past, and mostly have been due to a lack of the drugs having been inspected. A factory creating cancer drugs in Ohio temporarily closed in the last few weeks, which has caused the FDA to allow foreign imports that may be less safe than drugs from inside the country. These kinds of shortages are not a new problem, and have been cited as a major issue by doctors.

Connection-
    As discussed in class during an analysis of important issues and candidates' stances on them in the upcoming election, health care reform is a hot topic. Different people have suggested different solutions for the many problems in America's medical system, and the more issues that are brought to light, like drug shortages, the more pressing it becomes to find a leader that can satisfy the needs of the people.

Personal Reaction-
    It is quite possible that health standards on drugs from outside the country are too high, and reforms to the health system that include a repeal of some restrictions would benefit many. If one of the candidates for the presidency could come up with a reasonable plan to fix America's current system, that person would stand an excellent chance to be elected.