Mailbag: Elephant rides needed to saunter off

While I appreciate that the Irvine Co. is concerned with keeping our local mall updated, they have made some choices that do not make it very family friendly, like removing the kiddie train and carousel. Do we really need to drink alcohol while watching a movie? Why do we need to make watching a movie so complicated with assigned seating, an attendant and food service?

Risa Groux

Newport Coast

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The talk and frustration crescendo regarding the future of Obamacare as the United States Supreme Court huddles in preparation to make a decision that could determine the fate of the nation for years to come. In previous comments and letters I have tried to make it clear that most physicians favor some type of healthcare reform that will serve all of our citizens including those who can not afford it.

The opposition to Obamacare by many is that ,if you read all 2,000-plus pages, it is clear that the program is unaffordable and has many deceptions and plot twists. Two years after Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, and just prior to the Supreme Court oral arguments on its constitutionality, the administration is planning a media blitz about its "free, preventive" care for seniors and women, and restrictions on insurance. Meanwhile, opposition grows as people begin to learn more about what's really in it.

A few examples:

• The Congressional Budget Office doubled its 10-year cost estimate to $1.76 trillion.

•The cost of guaranteed-issue and community-rating mandates is estimated to reach $280 billion over the next decade; elimination of out-of-pocket coverage limits $51 billion; keeping 26-year-old "children" on parents' policies, $77 billion.

• Federal and state Medicaid spending would soar from $400 billion to $800 billion by 2022.

• As "grandfathered" plans are dropped, 42% of California employees have lost their pre-ACA coverage. California premiums increased a mean of $1,310 per family last year alone.

• Waivers were granted to more than 1,200 companies by January.

• In contrast to two pages of new agencies under FDR's New Deal, which transformed America, just one bill, the ACA, has more than 100 new boards and commissions.

Although the idea of health coverage for all is good, we need to write an act that is more feasible, reasonable and affordable.

Dr. Michael Arnold Glueck

Newport Beach