Pain pills, financial disclosure rules, and Turner Classic Movies

Pill training need is a wake-up call

For far too long, medical education for all health care professionals has been lacking in thoughtful training regarding pain and substance use disorders. That is why I believe that the article “Doc pain pill training required” [News, July 6] adds to the stigma and inaction we see in health care.

Instead of faulting this exercise to improve the quality, access and efficacy of care, we should welcome such a challenge to reflect on how we can do better.

At Northwell, once hearing of the requirements, we mobilized a multidisciplinary inter-professional task force to strategize and execute a plan to offer educational options for our team members.

Since launching our messaging around the Drug Enforcement Administration Medication Access and Training Expansion requirements in May, we have had 2,530 new registrations.

The enormous traumatizing toll on families across Long Island and beyond needs to be acknowledged, and we in health care are obligated to drive multifactorial solutions to prevent further harm.

The requirements are a wake-up call to our industry, showing a steadfast commitment to those we’re privileged to care for.

— Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, New Hyde Park

The writer is assistant vice president for emergency medicine addiction services for Northwell Health.

Lack of disclosure stuns former judge

I continue to be stunned by the flouting of clear financial disclosure rules for members of Congress [“Santos charges highlight disclosure flaws,” News, June 26].

Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) did not file legally required information about his consulting firm and assets in his 2022 financial disclosure report. And Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) is the only member of New York’s congressional delegation who didn’t file his by the May 15 deadline and complied on June 20, only after contacted by Newsday.

When I was an immigration judge for the U.S. Department of Justice, I and all my colleagues on the bench had to file these annual disclosures.

The instructions on the form are clear and obvious, and the penalties for noncompliance are also clear on the form.

— Terry Bain, Rockville Centre

With more than a third of the U.S. House financial disclosures being flawed, I as a taxpayer think that these disclosure failures should be looked on as massive scams [“Crack down on pols’ disclosure,” Editorial, June 27]. But even when caught, the politicians who are filing false reports can still run for office with apparently little chance of being held accountable, and this must be why so many are willing to take the chance of getting caught.

— Thomas W. Smith, Riverhead

Financial outfits should cover debts

The plan authorizing a $20,000 reduction in student debt accrued by many thousands of college graduates received a fair amount of criticism from both sides of the aisle, and rightfully so [“Top court rejects Biden’s student debt relief,” News, July 1]. This “reduction” in debt would have been paid out of the Treasury, increasing the national debt and tax burden on every American.

For many, President Joe Biden’s plan would have reduced, not eliminated, debt hanging over the former student. A deeper look should have considered whether the loan’s original principal was satisfied. If so, the appropriate response would have been to set standards for examining the balance of interest to determine whether the loan was predatory with exorbitant interest rates forcing the student to pay ever-growing interest.

At this point, the financial institutions should be held accountable for their usurious practices and discharge these loans instead of passing the debt onto taxpayers. Unfortunately, with the financial world’s influence, this would be a tough sell in Congress.

— James P. Kelly, Huntington

The writer is an adjunct professor of political science at St. Joseph’s University.

It’s time to amend the Second Amendment

The Second Amendment must be modified to consider excluding combat firearms “Texas killer: 90 life terms,” Nation & World, July 8]. The lives of innocent people, particularly children, are being sacrificed due to the ongoing failure to enact reasonable modifications. It’s time for the Constitution to reflect the technology of the 21st century.

— Herb Leebow, Melville

Let’s hope we’ll always have TCM

I read with joy Randi F. Marshall’s plea for saving the TCM network [“Turner Classic Movies must be saved,” Opinion, July 7]. I have had much pleasure and enjoyment watching (and again seeing) the classic films, whether it be drama, comedy, adventure or romance.

I find the network’s films so satisfying, and I also see the younger generation admires these movies a great deal, too.

Let’s always have TCM to look forward to.

— Elinor Henick, Long Beach