In letters: These programs could help SLO County attract more doctors | Opinion
Physician shortage
When I moved to San Luis Obispo from Fresno four years ago, I was surprised to find that the physician shortage here is just as severe as — if not worse than — Fresno’s. Had I known that, I might have relocated 10 years sooner like my wife begged me to do.
As your excellent series noted, the Central Valley has several initiatives, such as PRIME and REACH, aimed at encouraging students to pursue medical school and return to practice in their communities. Additionally, to inspire disadvantaged junior high and high school students in Fresno to study STEM and consider health careers, the Doctors Academy was founded 20 years ago in partnership with UCSF Fresno. Since then, 29 of its students have earned doctorate degrees.
Your series also highlighted the financial burden many medical students face upon completing their training. This debt makes it difficult to attract them to areas like ours, where the cost of living is high. In response, the San Joaquin Valley Medical Scholarship Foundation was created a few years ago and is already covering medical school tuition for several low-income students committed to practicing primary care in the Central Valley.
Similar programs could be implemented in our county, benefiting us all with easier access to primary care physicians, shorter wait times, and — most importantly — better health.
Dr. Don Gaede
San Luis Obispo
Ed Board fell short
In my opinion, the recent editorial, “Innocent Until Proven Guilty?” falls well short of The Tribune Editorial Board’s usual standard of judgment. While I agree that Mr. Dow should have been more precise, it is not a requirement of our judicial system that a district attorney remain impartial. Further, it appears to me that Ms. Robbins has publicly admitted her guilt. The editorial states, “Family members and friends submitted written statements to the court that pointed to her guilt.” Ultimately, guilt is determined in the courtroom, not by a DA.
I also believe it is appropriate for Mr. Dow to publicize situations where he believes defendants are being treated with special privileges. How else is the public to know if this occurs? I want all defendants to be treated equally and am glad the DA advocates for this. We should thank Mr. Dow for bringing this to our attention, whether or not we agree with his perspective in this situation.
Erik Larson
Santa Margarita
Tax burden
According to Project 2025 (which Donald Trump allegedly knows nothing about), the federal government should be financed entirely by consumption taxes, i.e., sales or value added taxes, so that the entire burden of supporting the federal government is shifted from wealthy citizens whose consumption is minimal as a percent of their incomes to the poor and lower-middle class who must spend all of their incomes to survive.
These taxes incidentally would be on top of the sales taxes, fuel taxes and other consumption taxes we already have which disproportionately affect lower- and middle-income taxpayers.
Trump’s tariffs on imports are consumption taxes cleverly disguised as penalties on foreign countries (they aren’t) and are a first step toward this consumption-tax scheme. They are actually taxes that American consumers will pay in the form of higher prices. It is unfortunate that tariffs will cause inflation and interest rates to spike and likely tank the stock market, but these are just the “short term pain” we have to suffer in service of the noble goal of shifting taxes from the rich to the poor. If all of this makes you sick, join the club.
Christopher Toews
San Luis Obispo
We’re still America
In spite of an unelected foreigner’s photo appearing on TIME magazine’s cover this month, this nation is still that of the American people. Our ancestors were legal immigrants and many of them fought for our freedom in this land.
I don’t care how much money a person has, he has no business messing around in U.S. politics and having access to our treasury. To quote Jim Acosta’s last words on CNN, “Don’t believe the lies. Don’t give in to the fear.”
I say, “Do something.” Contact your congressmember and beg them to take action to oust both Trump and Musk. We deserve much better.
Janet F. Langton
Templeton