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It’s a good idea to cut drug costs

The White House has proposed good and bad ideas to reduce drug costs. Among the better ones is a reform of the obscure 340B drug program, which enriches large hospitals at the expense of patients. Cue the protests from the hospital lobby. The 340B program is a classic example of a well-intended policy that has caused unintended harm. Congress established the program in 1992 to help hospitals that disproportionately serve Medicaid and low-income patients. Such hospitals are allowed to buy outpatient drugs at steeply discounted rates, on average about 45% of a drug’s list ...

Let Charlie Kirk’s fate motivate you

As a young person who got into politics to make a difference in my community, I know that everything I accomplished would not be even remotely possible without the sacrifices of the late Charlie Kirk. Kirk was such an inspiration to me and countless others, and I can only imagine the pain his family felt in his absence. Every young person involved in politics knows they are standing on the shoulders of giants, and Kirk is perhaps the largest of all of them. We need unity, but we also need justice. Moving forward without understanding how we got to this point would be a grave ...

Performance would please Isaac Mishler

I would like to thank all who were involved with the presentation of “Cinderella.” I need to thank all the actors, the stage crew, all who were involved with preparing all the props, and the very talented musicians. The Altoona Community Theatre can be very proud of their presentation of “Cinderella.” Also need to thank the Mishler Theater staff. You make Isaac Mishler proud. Duane Ehredt, Sr. Altoona

HASD should focus on real issues

The Hollidaysburg Area School Board recently voted unanimously to change the language in Personnel Policy 321. One change states “Staff members/volunteers or third-party contractors shall not display any flag, banner, poster, sign, sticker, pin, button, insignia, paraphernalia, photograph, or other similar material that advocates concerning any partisan, political, religious, or social policy issue including sexual orientation or gender identity.” A quick Google search of ‘top social policy issues today’ includes the very broad categories of the social safety net, health ...

We will not be silenced or canceled

This is the “Turning Point” — which side do you choose? The one that is doing evil to the other side or the one that will not be silenced or canceled. The pure evil side is the one that just assassinated beloved Charlie Kirk in cold blood; attempted to assassinate President Donald J. Trump not once but twice; gravely injured GOP house leader Steve Scalise; severely injured GOP Sen. Rand Paul; attacked and stabbed Rand Paul’s staffer, Phillip Todd; attacked and violently beat Trump administration DOGE staffer Edward Coristine and many more. After career criminal George Floyd’s ...

Extremism is not welcome

As a child, I was taught that we shouldn’t attack those we disagreed with and that a basic level of respect must rule any interaction. Clearly, many parents don’t subscribe to this position anymore or their kids have been indoctrinated by their obtuse professors to hate anyone outside of their particular political party. If you think it’s OK to kill those who speak from a point of view that you don’t agree with, you are an extremist. If you are an educator and insist that your students parrot your own political beliefs, you are part of the problem. If you are a ...