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21 Oct 2009 22:30

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U.S.: That sound you hear is the the EPIC FAIL of health care’s dry run

  • The Senate couldn’t push through a Medicare payment bill. An attempt to prevent the 21% reduction of doctors’ Medicare fees couldn’t get through the Senate tonight, with both Republicans and centrist Democrats suggesting the $250 billion price tag was too much. They needed 60 votes to get the bill, supported by the American Medical Association, onto the Senate floor. They got 47. This may be a harbinger of things to come. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is suggesting that much. Have we called him a toolbag lately? source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 Sep 2009 08:12

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U.S., World: Well, that’s something; an AIDS vaccine that might just work

  • 31.2% cut in HIV infections with the new drug, compared to a placebo
  • zero cut in HIV infections with previous HIV drugs; that’s a big deal source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Aug 2009 21:49

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U.S.: A judge who blocked a death-row appeal shows no remorse

  • Sharon Keller closed her office early, stood by her decision. The Texas judge, currently on trial for misconduct, prevented lawyers from appealing the execution of Michael Richard. She closed her office at 5 p.m., refusing to let the lawyers, fighting against a 6 p.m. execution deadline (and computer problems), have more time. Richard died as a result. Her argument: Another judge was on duty that night and they could have handed the appeal to them. Keller could be removed from the bench for the five counts of judicial misconduct. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Apr 2009 20:18

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U.S.: If you’re a smoker, you should get a piss test. Trust us.

  • Your urine may predict your lung cancer risk. Sort of like a drug test in reverse, there’s a chance that doctors will be able to predict the onset of lung cancer early thanks to your urine. Two chemicals, NNAL and cotinine, show up in higher levels for people with a high lung-cancer risk, and knowing this early can help doctors treat or prevent lung cancer before it becomes something life-threatening. It’ll take some time for the test to come on the market, but here’s a tip in advance – make sure you haven’t also been smoking pot when you get the test – doctors can tell that, too. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
 
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