Forum letters: California is short doctors. Let nurse practitioners do their jobs

Fill the health care gap

“28 states have loosened restrictions on Nurse Practitioners. Now it’s California’s turn.” (sacbee.com, Dec. 16):

I enjoyed reading this article. This is timely because the State Assembly recently passed AB 890, allowing more autonomy to nurse practitioners. As a nursing student, I believe that allowing nurse practitioners to practice at the extent of their license will not only increase access to primary care, it will also help costs for low-income families. What people don’t realize is that California is projected to be short 4,100 primary care doctors by 2029. With more physicians choosing a specialty, there are 22,000 nurse practitioners in California that could help fill in the gap in preventative health and health promotion. We should all have the right to access affordable primary care. Healthy families equal happy communities. AB 890 will help us get there.

All kids deserve good teachers

“Inexperienced teachers are often sent to low-income schools in Sacramento. Why that matters” (sacbee.com, Feb. 13):

Something is so wrong with this picture. Our children, whether they are labeled “poor” or “affluent,” deserve the best of teachers. Children from so-called “poor schools” deserve the most experienced, educated and knowledgeable teachers. Test scores do not give the true essence of our educational system. Our problem begins at the college level in teacher education, administrations and classroom teachers. Let us not put blame on our children or their home environment. Once we do that, we have become irresponsible educators. We are talking about human beings here. These are our children who will become the adults in our communities. Let’s give them the best.

Steinberg is our best-kept secret

“Flashy? No. Smart? Yeah. Steinberg tops the list of America’s best, and unsung, mayors” (sacbee.com, Feb. 14):

Having gotten to know Mayor Steinberg personally through my appointment to the Governor’s Task Force on Homelessness, I agree: he is the best kept political secret outside of Sacramento. But there’s no secret that his work benefited California’s most disadvantaged citizens when then-Senator Steinberg conceived and shepherded the Mental Health Services Act into law. Resources generated from the so-called “millionaire’s tax” have resonated around our state and the nation. Now he’s in the forefront of the effort to do the same for our homelessness crisis. The Task Force he leads has recommended the most far reaching and, potentially, the most impactful idea to remedy homelessness in the nation. He may not be “flashy,” but neither are his ideas. They’re substantial, forward thinking, and solution oriented.

Permits for port-a-potties

“Sacramento officials say private port-a-potties left for homeless could cause ‘chaos’” (sacbee.com, Feb. 6):

As a nature enthusiast and registered nurse, I believe public and environmental health concerns, and the protection of people’s dignity, are so important. Recognizing this as a major public health concern, I am in favor of private funding for city permitted porta-potty installation in populated homeless camps, particularly, near Sacramento’s precious waterways. Accepting the generous help of those willing to step up in their communities should be welcomed. Leaning on the community to provide a temporary solution while the city contemplates further plans is far better than allowing not only one of Sacramento’s greatest natural resources to continue to suffer, but also the dignity of human beings.

Ceccato for District 3

“Sheriff Jones must be held accountable. This Sacramento supervisor candidate can do it” (sacbee.com, Jan. 27):

In endorsing Gregg Fishman, the Bee has overlooked the candidate more apt to lead District 3: Matt Ceccato. I’ve attended candidate forums in the community, and Ceccato outshines the other candidates hands down. The Bee claims Fishman’s position with SMUD qualifies him to represent this district – Ceccato’s position as District Director for Congressman Bera qualifies him at least as much, if not more. Ceccato knows the District 3 community well – he helps them every day. Ceccato has the endorsements of Congressman Bera and Assemblymember Ken Cooley (and more) – leaders who actually represent District 3. Fishman’s endorsements primarily come from representatives within the City of Sacramento who do not represent our district. In every way that Fishman is a good candidate, Ceccato is far better.

Prioritize transportation

“Another sales tax fight is coming to Sacramento. This one is about your commute” (sacbee.com, Feb. 12):

Our roads and highways are in a sorry state. But the sad condition of our highways has nothing to do with the lack of funds and has everything to do with poor management and bad choices in deciding where our transportation dollars are spent. We need to prioritize projects that effectively deliver results to the region such as the Connector, which connects and converts the old, existing Grant Line, White Rock and Kammerer roads into a modern expressway, bringing congestion relief. Nearly 50 years of mismanaged transportation funds used for mass transit projects have resulted in even more clogged commute corridors, increased air pollution and a skeptical public left footing the bill. Taxpayers are already extremely generous to government and, based on the promises that have been made to them regarding road construction and maintenance, have every right to expect politicians to do a better job with funds now provided.