Free Republic

A presidential committee explored the ethics of health system reform and plans to release a report later this year. Chicago -- A panel appointed by President Bush that met here in June appears set to endorse some form of societal obligation to provide health care access to all. The meeting was part of the President's Council on Bioethics initiative examining the ethical underpinnings of approaches to reforming the nation's health system and covering the estimated 47 million uninsured Americans. A report is likely to be issued after the November election. Bush established the council in November 2001 to advise him...

Smoking ban, fitness tests for healthier nation By Sharri Markson April 20, 2008 01:36am SMOKING would be banned for everyone born next year, junk food would be taxed and everyone would be subjected to a fitness test by 2020. By comparison, the cost of healthy food, including fruit and vegetables, would be reduced to reflect its low environmental impact and obvious health benefits. These are just a few of the ideas from 100 of the nation's health experts who discussed the best way to combat obesity, reduce illness and promote a healthy lifestyle. Health Minister Nicola Roxon said one idea...

Spending on the state's landmark health insurance initiative would rise by more than $400 million next year, representing one of the largest increases in the $28.2 billion state budget the governor proposed yesterday. more stories like this Patrick's budget challenges lawmakers on casinos Patrick wants state workers to pay higher portion of health care State workers would see hikes in health costs under Patrick plan Patrick wants education chief in Cabinet N.H. Democrats, Republicans sharply divided on healthcare, poll finds The biggest driver of the cost increase is projected growth in the number of people signing up for state-subsidized insurance,...

August 25 -- Once again, a Santa Monica resident is ahead of the pack, leading the state -- and possibly the nation -- in progressive, and highly controversial, reform. State Senator Sheila Kuehl – often seen tooling around Sunset Park in her red Porsche – is taking a shot at changing legislative and health care history with her “California Health Insurance Reliability Act,” which comes up for a vote in the State Assembly next week, most likely on Monday. “The increasing costs of health insurance premiums are bankrupting our state, our businesses and working families,” Kuehl wrote in an editorial...