The American Heart Association has released new guidelines that may end up putting more patients on statins. Why are some doctors worried about these changes? Then, public meetings are being held to determine the fate of the Hahamonga Watershed Park. How can the county balance the safety needs with concerns for the environment? Next, we talk with author Richard Kurin about the history of America in 101 objects. Then, some democrats are pushing for consumers' choice on insurance policies. Do you think more options are needed? Lastly, we talk about election politics with authors Mark Halperin, and John Heilemann.
New heart disease prevention guidelines might put more patients on statins
The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology--two of the leading cardiovascular associations in the country-- have released new guidelines on heart disease prevention. The new recommendations drastically increase the number of people that could be put on statins to reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke.
According to the New York Times, a quarter of Americans over the age of 40 are currently prescribed statin medicines, making them one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the country.
In the past, statins are most often prescribed based on someone’s cholesterol levels, but the new guidelines decouple that equation. Many doctors support the new guidelines, but some are worry that they might lead to over-prescription of statins and exposing more people to the side effects, while others challenge the new recommendations’ de-emphasis on someone’s cholesterol levels.
Guests:
Dr. Nathan Wong, professor and director of the Heart Disease Prevention Program at UC Irvine and immediate past president of the American Society for Preventive Cardiology. He was not involved with the development of the guidelines.
The Hahamongna reservoir is about to undergo some major changes
Public meetings are being held this week to determine the fate of the Devil’s Gate Dam in Hahamungna Watershed Park. The County Board of Supervisors will be deciding on a new plan to remove part of the natural ecosystem that developed in the watershed after the 2008 Station Fire and return it back into a dam.
The fire scorched the landscape and destroyed the brush that kept materials out of the watershed. Over the next few years, it turned into a natural habitat that is now enjoyed by wildlife and local walkers and joggers.
But the County is tasked with finding a way to bring the watershed back to its original purpose - as a dam to prevent the underlying communities from flooding. Local environmentalists don’t want to see tons of sediment trucked out of the basin.
How can the county balance the safety needs with concerns for the environment? Should it find another way to prevent flooding in the underlying communities?
Guests:
Mark Pestrella, assistant director of LA County Department of Public Works
Edel Vizcarra, planning and land use deputy for Supervisor Michael Antonovich’s office.
Tim Brick, managing director of the Arroyo Seco Foundation
Below are a list of upcoming public meetings:
Thursday, November 14, 2013
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Jackson Elementary School Auditorium
593 West Woodbury Road
Altadena, CA 91001
(Park in lot in rear or on North Spaulding Place))
Saturday, November 16, 2013
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Community Center
La Cañada Flintridge
4469 Chevy Chase Drive
La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
(Park in Community Center/Pre-School Lot)
Comment Period Closes - January 6, 2014
The 101 objects that tell the story of America
What do a Singer sewing machine, the Declaration of Independence and Dorothy’s ruby slippers have in common? These three objects (and 98 others) are a vital part of the history of our country.
The Smithsonian Institution’s Richard Kurin has collected 101 objects that tell the history of the United States, and he chronicles their story in the new book, “The Smithsonian’s History of America in 101 Objects.”
What object that could tell the history of America would you nominate? Call us and share your suggestions.
Guest:
Richard Kurin, Smithsonian Institution’s Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture, responsible for many of its museums and educational programs and author of “The Smithsonian’s History of America in 101 Objects” (Penguin Press HC, 2013)
Richard Kurin is at our Crawford Family Forum tonight to talk for the book, “101 Objects that Tell America’s Story.” The event starts at 7:00pm. Admission is free, and you can RSVP on our website at KPCC.org
Influential Democrats make push for consumers' choice on insurance policies
If you liked your health insurance, and didn’t get to keep it, you might still get to keep it. Later this week the House will vote on a bill called the Keep Your Health Plan Act.
But many Democrats who are facing tough re-elections next year are also proposing keep your health plan bills. Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu would allow individuals who purchased health insurance to be grandfathered into their policies allowing them to keep their health insurance.
If any of these “Keep Your Healthcare” plans pass what would that mean for an already mangled health insurance system? Is it feasible? Or is it too late to keep your plan?
Guests:
Josh Gerstein, Senior White House Reporter for POLITICO
Nancy Metcalf, Health care editor, Consumer Reports; Consumer Reports’ recently launched web tool is HealthLawHelper.org for consumers navigating insurance options
Paul Howard, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Manhattan Institute - a think tank focusedon economic choice and individual responsibility; Director of the Manhattan Institute's Center for Medical Progress.
'Double Down' offers an inside look at the 2012 US presidential campaign
Veteran political reporters Mark Halperin and John Heilemann gave us all of the juicy details of Barack Obama's win over Hillary Clinton and John McCain in 2008 with their political bestseller "Game Change". Now the reporter duo is back with a sequel that airs all of the dirty laundry from the 2012 presidential election.
"Double Down: Game Change 2012" takes readers inside the closed door meetings and back rooms where the campaign's most tense and heated moments took place. They go into juicy detail of how Republicans tried, but failed, to knock off a weak-looking Obama.
It gives you the story you never heard about how Romney picked a running mate from Herman Cain's sexual harassment allegations to some confidential details that are sure to haunt Chris Christie well into 2016.
Guests:
Mark Halperin, Senior Political Analyst for TIME and MSNBC. Co-author of Double Down: Game Change 2012.
John Heilemann, National Affairs Editor for New York Magazine, MSNBC political analyst and co-author of Double Down: Game Change 2012.
Mark Halperin and John Heilemann will be appearing at Vroman’s bookstore in Pasadena on Saturday November 16th from 4 to 5:30pm.