Dec 12 After health-care repeal vote, some in GOP fear a cliff By Alan Fram, Associated Press WASHINGTON — Republicans are eagerly planning initial votes next month on dismantling President Barack Obama's health care law, a cherished GOP goal. But many worry that while Congress tries to replace it, the party will face ever-angrier voters, spooked health… Continue reading
Dec 11 In a land of thundering reindeer, suicide stalks the indigenous Sami By Melody Schreiber, STAT Suicide is a growing problem among the indigenous Sami of Sweden. Many work as reindeer herders, and feel acute anxiety about the effects of climate change. Continue reading
Dec 10 Trump win could boost movement to confer 'personhood' on fertilized eggs By Rebecca Robbins, STAT The push to confer full “personhood” on every fertilized human egg has been rejected in state after state, but activists are cautiously hopeful that their cause could soon get a boost. Continue reading
Dec 09 'Protect Our Care' group plans to push back against repeal of health law By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press Supporters of the 2010 health care law will launch a political coalition Friday to block its repeal. They're targeting Republican lawmakers whose constituents may now be at risk of losing health insurance. Continue reading
Dec 08 Facing war and hunger, momentum for women's rights slows in Yemen By Larisa Epatko In Yemen, where forces loyal to the government are clashing with Houthi rebels, millions are going hungry. Because food is so scarce, aid groups are finding they have to focus on life-saving measures and set women’s empowerment efforts aside –… Continue reading
Dec 08 Obama vows to sign this sweeping mental health bill Congress passed By Liz Szabo, Kaiser Health News The bill strengthens laws mandating parity for mental and physical health care and includes grants to increase the number of psychologists and psychiatrists, who are in short supply across the country. Continue reading
Dec 07 Free mental health clinics open to veterans tired of long wait times By Anna Gorman, Kaiser Health News Over the past three years, the sprawling VA system has come under fire from Congress and the media because veterans were waiting too long to see a doctor. Now, a new chain of free mental health clinics for vets has… Continue reading
Dec 07 If Republicans repeal Obamacare but stall to replace it, this study predicts millions would be uninsured By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press The plan is for Congress to first use a special budget-related procedure to repeal major portions of the Affordable Care Act, or ACA, next year. The effective date of that repeal would be delayed by months or years to give… Continue reading
Dec 06 Watch 5:34 When it comes to screen time, parents are poor role models for kids By PBS News Hour While many parents worry about how much time their children spend glued to computers, tablets and televisions, a new study reveals the adults themselves spend more than nine hours a day in front of screens. Hari Sreenivasan talks to Jim… Continue watching
Dec 06 Watch 9:16 Major health bill would fund medical research, hasten FDA approvals By PBS News Hour In Congress, lawmakers are close to passing a major bill that would increase funding for the FDA, the NIH and the effort to fight opioid abuse. The measure would also introduce more flexible standards for drug approvals, reducing the need… Continue watching