Mobile Edition Weather Classifieds Travel Jobs Home Our Team Contact Us Advertising Info News BC News Sports BC Sports Clippers Business BC Business Entertainment BC Arts & Entertainment Community Calendar Submit an Event Lifestyles BC Lifestyles Tourism Info Wine Trails Opinion BC Opinions Letters Web Poll Blogs BC Games e-Edition Obits part of bclocalnews.com
Visit link:
Editorial: Health care court ruling opinions
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to announce its ruling on the federal health care law widely known as Obamacare any time now. Here are some views on the law and the upcoming ruling.
A link to this page will be included in your message
Read the original post:
Most people believe that the future of health reform rests in the hands of the nine Supreme Court justices currently deliberating over constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. While their decision could be a game changer, it should not be misconstrued as the last word in health reform.
That will come from those of us in the state legislatures who will have the courage to stand up and continue the march toward providing accessible and affordable care for all New Mexicans.
The Affordable Care Act finally acknowledges that access to high-quality health care was hampered by an insurance market that left millions with coverage that had gaps as wide as a hospital gown that is, if you even had a hospital gown. The law brings fairness and equality that should have been provided all along, but far too often was not.
For example, more than 23,000 university students in New Mexico like Kelli Grady, 23, are now able to remain on their parents insurance plan until they reach 26.
Regardless of what the Supreme Court rules, we wont go back to the old broken system that put so many in New Mexico at risk. The ACA helped people with pre-existing conditions, many of them children, finally access the care they need after being denied for years. More than 850 people are now getting care through the federal high-risk pool established here, and training for the health care workforce we have needed for so long is now under way at colleges and universities around the state, thanks to the act.
It finally makes health plans work for consumers by requiring that lifesaving preventive services such as cancer screenings, immunizations and well-visits for children are included on every plan without co-pays. For seniors, the Affordable Care Act strengthens Medicare and provides seniors in the prescription-drug doughnut hole assistance to provide the medication they need already saving New Mexico seniors around $10 million.
The Affordable Care Act was modeled after policies that had already been successfully implemented in states like Massachusetts and New Mexico. More important, it created momentum to start implementing real change on an issue that has plagued our country for decades. Regardless of the Supreme Court decision, state legislators will continue to be the leaders implementing creative solutions to the unique health needs of our state, and will continue to strive for affordability, security and quality of care for all residents.
We have done it before in New Mexico through hard-fought battles in the Legislature to provide transparency in insurance rate hike requests, prohibitions on rolling back coverage after a subscriber gets sick and limits on insurance company profit and administration charges. We have enabled parents to add their children onto their policies until they reach age 25, and expanded our Medicaid program to include a private-public partnership for low-income employees just above the eligibility level.
We know this is only a start: Continued innovation is needed to improve the affordability, security and quality of care for everyone in the Land of Enchantment.
As state legislators, we refuse to allow New Mexico to revert to a system in which big insurance makes all the decisions for our residents health care needs. Its a matter of basic fairness to those who are ill which will ultimately include all of us. We hope you will hold us and other state lawmakers accountable for protecting the gains we have made and going further to serve all New Mexicans.
See the original post here:
(CNN) - President Barack Obama advocated for his jobs package while Rep. Bill Cassidy argued against the health reform law as they stood by their parties' positions Saturday during their weekly addresses.
Obama called on Congress to pass a transportation bill, expand access to college and fund infrastructure projects. Cassidy, a Maryland Republican, argued that the health reform law signed by Obama in 2010 had an effect of "driving up health care costs, making it harder for small businesses to hire workers."
"The law, as an example, is going to cost nearly twice as much as we were told, people are already paying more for their health care than they were before, and because of health insurance expenses, employers are canceling plans to expand their businesses, which is to say they will not be hiring new workers," he said.
Cassidy did not say he supported the Supreme Court overturning the law, but said a "majority of Americans want the Supreme Court to overturn all or part of Obamacare."
A CNN/ORC International poll released in early June showed 43% of Americans supported the law while 34% believed it was too liberal and 13% opposed it because it did not go far enough.
An additional 10% said they had no opinion on the law.
Cassidy said his experience as a doctor informed his views on quality care.
"Families should be able to make their own health care choices, visit the doctor of their choosing and receive the health care they and their physician feel is best," he said, arguing the health law does not do that.
In his address, Obama focused on several measures, including funding for a transportation law.
"Bridges are deteriorating after years of neglect. Highways are choked with congestion. Transportation delays cost Americans and businesses billions of dollars every year," he said. "And there are hundreds of thousands of construction workers who have never been more eager to get back on the job."
Excerpt from:
Republicans talk health care, Obama economy in weekly address
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which became law in 2010, affects most major components of the U.S. health care system. Here's a look at Ohio's role in the health insurance debate and the impact of the law on Buckeye residents.
Read the original post:
No matter how the Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the debate will continue. If it’s upheld, ACA will become even more of an issue in the presidential campaign.
See the original post here:
1. Healthy soil and water
Organic standards require a program of soil building, which protects against soil erosion and water pollution. A healthy soil promotes vigorous soil life that, in turn, breaks down minerals and makes a complex meal of nutrients available to growing plants. Synthetic fertilizers deliver the three primary nutrients needed for plant growth, but leave out the diverse micronutrients that lead to plant vigor and health.
2. No genetic engineering
Organic standards prohibit use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for seed or stock. The U.S. government has allowed the development and release of many GMOs into the environment and food system. Until compulsory GMO labeling is adopted in this country, buying certified organic is the best guarantee of no genetic engineering in food.
3. No growth hormones
Organic standards prohibit the use of growth hormones. U.S. government regulations permit hormone use in conventional livestock operations to increase the size or rate of gain of animals raised for meat, or to stimulate production of animal products like milk.
4. No antibiotics
Organic standards prohibit routine use of antibiotics in livestock operations. U.S. government regulations permit conventional animals to be routinely fed sub-therapeutic levels of antibiotics to promote growth and prevent disease from their overcrowded conditions. Antibiotics may only be administered to an organic animal when the animal is sick and needs treatment. Such animals may then no longer be marketed as organic.
5. No pesticides
Organic standards prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides, exposure to which has been linked with a number of serious human diseases. U.S. government regulations allow such pesticides, although setting limits for application rates in the field and residue levels on food.
Read the original post:
By Richard Ingham
Rio de Janeiro, June 23, 2012 (AFP) -- The outcome of the Rio+20 summit provides further proof that the nation-state system is failing badly in tackling global environmental threats, say analysts.
The UN's Conference on Sustainable Development had been billed as a once-in-a-generation chance to overhaul an economic model that had left a billion people in poverty and imperiled the biosphere.
But veteran observers who watched the 10-day event drag to a close on Friday shook their heads in dismay.
To them, it was a fresh failure by the United Nations system, after the near-disastrous 2009 Copenhagen climate summit, to respond to eco-perils that are now approaching at express speed.
"It's a demonstration of political impotence, of system paralysis, and it makes me feel pessimistic about the system's ability to deliver," Laurence Tubiana, director of a French think-tank, the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), said in an interview.
"The multilateral process today is not delivering the urgent action we need," WWF's Jim Leape told AFP in an email.
"International action is in fact important, to galvanize a global response to these challenges, but it's clear that we need to look to leadership in other places... that means looking for changes everywhere -- communities, cities, national governments and companies."
After a three-day summit of 189 nation-states, the conference issued a 53-page declaration with the horizon-sweeping title "The Future We Want."
It itemized a distressingly long list of problems -- from global warming, deforestation and fisheries collapse to water stress, pollution and biodiversity loss that scientists fear could turn into a mass extinction.
Link:
JUNE 23 — Now, I very seldom broach the topic of statistics because, quite frankly, I let the other Hafiz (my fellow columnist Hafiz Noor Shams) do that. And when PEMANDU comes out and says that crime rates are dropping nationwide, I would give them the benefit of the doubt. I would. I am that nice. But when they blame the media for portraying a ...
Continue reading here:
A trip to Greece in the coming weeks may feel like an intrusion -- a sojourn into a land of private grief and public fury.
Sitting on the beach in Corfu or sipping wine at a tavern in Athens as the Greeks play out their very public crisis is likely to make any foreign visitor feel a bit guilty, a bit helpless and, perhaps, unwelcome.
That's not what the Greeks want, of course. It's not what they want at all.
Tourism has long sustained Greece, and despite -- or perhaps because of -- its problems, the nation had an astounding year in 2011. A record 16.5 million tourists visited last year, and revenues rose by 10 percent to 10.5 billion euros. Industry officials attributed the success to political turmoil in rival destinations like Tunisia and Egypt, but it's likely that dramatically lower fares were a major factor.
This year, however, things aren't so sunny. Tourist receipts for the first quarter tumbled by 15.1 percent, the Bank of Greece said, while Greek airport arrivals fell 5.1 percent in the first five months of the year. Meanwhile, online hotel prices in Greece show an 8 percent decline this month compared to June 2011, according to Trivago.gr, with rates in Athens down by 22 percent over last year. Overall hotel rates in Greece now average just 100 euros for a twin room, considerably lower than most other European nations.
While this is bad news for Greece, it's good news for anyone looking to travel to the country.
"The prices have gone down everywhere," said Emmanuel Christodoulakis of the Greek National Tourism Organization. "You can find so many specials on the hotels and restaurants. There is much more affordable tourism in Greece right now."
Travel agents in the UK and Germany -- which together represent a large percentage of Greece's visitors -- have offered steep discounts to help kick-start slumping demand as the economic crisis hits travel spending across Europe. London-based Olympic Holidays, for example, reduced its rates by up to 25 percent for peak season travel in an attempt to get Brits out on the Greek Isles.
With prices at all-time lows, here's a look at some of the best beaches in Greece where you can help out the Greek economy and get a bargain at the same time:
Best Beach for Luxury: Costa Navarino
View post:
The Best Beaches In Greece (And Why You Should Visit Them Now)
The lack of rain is making it harder for some Indiana residents to cool off this summer, with four beaches at state parks closed indefinitely because of low water levels.
View original post here:
The first cosmic X-ray detector, launched in 1962. Credit: NASA
GREENBELT, Md., June 22 (UPI) -- Cosmic X-ray astronomy turned 50 years old this month, NASA said, highlighting the 1962 pioneer effort of a small team of scientists in the New Mexico desert.
On June 18, 1962, an X-ray detector, crude by modern standards, was launched from the hot desert sands atop an Aerobee 150 rocket of modest performance, escaping Earth's atmosphere for just 5 minutes 50 seconds and reaching an altitude of 140 miles.
Researchers eagerly reviewing the data from the pioneering instrument found just one discrete X-ray source, which they named Scorpius X-1, and a broad, diffuse X-ray glow that would come to be known as the cosmic X-ray background, NASA said in a release this week.
While astronomers had previously detected X-rays from the sun, this was the first detection of X-rays outside our Solar System, and X-ray astronomy was born.
That crude detector was followed by the first X-ray imaging telescope, sent into space in 1963, in size and shape no bigger than the first optical telescope built by Galileo in 1610.
It took four centuries for optical telescopes to improve their sensitivity by the same 100 million times factor that X-ray telescopes have managed in just 40 years, leading to the field's current flagship, NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory.
More here:
Alan Turing would have celebrated his 100th birthday today. Google honors the life and work of a man whose accomplishments were many; a brilliant academic and codebreaker, Turing is also known amongst computer scientists as the father of artificial intelligence.
Little known in life, his work and its significance for computer science has only become notorious in recent decades. Todays Google Doodle is an interactive HTML5 codebreaking game that simulates the Turing Machine.
At first, the Google logo appears in grayscale. Solving a series of codes turns each letter in the logo to its proper color, with the last code the most difficult to break.
"We thought the most fitting way of paying tribute to Turings incredible life and work would be to simulate the theoretical Turing machine he proposed in a mathematical paper, according to a Google blog post. Visit the homepage today we invite you to try your hand at programming it. If you get it the first time, try again... it gets harder!"
Turing was a highly intelligent and troubled eccentric, who missed out on much of the accolades and recognition of his work by cutting his own life short in 1954. In spite of his codebreaking prowess, which resulted in the cracking of encrypted German transmissions in World War II, Turing was persecuted in his native England and eventually convicted in 1952 for gross indecency, after admitting to being in a consensual same-sex relationship.
As punishment, the British government sentenced one of the undisputed geniuses of that time to chemical castration, via regular injections of estrogen. Within two years of his sentencing, Turing committed suicide.
The last two years of Turings life remain shrouded in mystery. In 1952, he had to stop his work with the UK Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). In a series of articles on his life, BBCnotes that in 1953, Turing alluded to some type of crisis in his life and suggests that he seemed to have been under intense surveillance.
He took his 1952 and 1953 vacations to Norway and Greece, away from the watchful eyes of the employers for whom he cracked codes and enabled more intelligent warfare against the Germans. BBC surmises that he was very likely influenced by hearing of the early Scandinavian gay movement.
In former Prime Minister Gordon Browns official 2009 apology to Turing, long since deceased, Brown referred to the cultural icon as, one of Britain's most famous victims of homophobia. Alan and the many thousands of other gay men who were convicted as he was convicted under homophobic laws were treated terribly. Over the years millions more lived in fear of conviction, Brown wrote. Homosexuality remained a crime in the UK until 1967.
See the original post here:
Alan Turing Google Doodle: Turing Machine Logo Honors Codebreaker, Father of Computer Science
Alan Turing would have celebrated his 100th birthday today. Google honors the life and work of a man whose accomplishments were many; a brilliant academic and codebreaker, Turing is also known amongst computer scientists as the father of artificial intelligence.
Little known in life, his work and its significance for computer science has only become notorious in recent decades. Todays Google Doodle is an interactive HTML5 codebreaking game that simulates the Turing Machine.
At first, the Google logo appears in grayscale. Solving a series of codes turns each letter in the logo to its proper color, with the last code the most difficult to break.
"We thought the most fitting way of paying tribute to Turings incredible life and work would be to simulate the theoretical Turing machine he proposed in a mathematical paper, according to a Google blog post. Visit the homepage today we invite you to try your hand at programming it. If you get it the first time, try again... it gets harder!"
Turing was a highly intelligent and troubled eccentric, who missed out on much of the accolades and recognition of his work by cutting his own life short in 1954. In spite of his codebreaking prowess, which resulted in the cracking of encrypted German transmissions in World War II, Turing was persecuted in his native England and eventually convicted in 1952 for gross indecency, after admitting to being in a consensual same-sex relationship.
As punishment, the British government sentenced one of the undisputed geniuses of that time to chemical castration, via regular injections of estrogen. Within two years of his sentencing, Turing committed suicide.
The last two years of Turings life remain shrouded in mystery. In 1952, he had to stop his work with the UK Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). In a series of articles on his life, BBCnotes that in 1953, Turing alluded to some type of crisis in his life and suggests that he seemed to have been under intense surveillance.
He took his 1952 and 1953 vacations to Norway and Greece, away from the watchful eyes of the employers for whom he cracked codes and enabled more intelligent warfare against the Germans. BBC surmises that he was very likely influenced by hearing of the early Scandinavian gay movement.
In former Prime Minister Gordon Browns official 2009 apology to Turing, long since deceased, Brown referred to the cultural icon as, one of Britain's most famous victims of homophobia. Alan and the many thousands of other gay men who were convicted as he was convicted under homophobic laws were treated terribly. Over the years millions more lived in fear of conviction, Brown wrote. Homosexuality remained a crime in the UK until 1967.
Read more here:
Alan Turing Google Doodle: Turing Machine Codebreaker Logo Honors Father of Computer Science
High-tech aerospace company nearing decision to locate to North Brevard
Read more:
by MARK WIGGINS / KVUE News and photojournalist JUSTIN TERRY
kvue.com
Posted on June 22, 2012 at 8:54 PM
Updated yesterday at 10:02 PM
AUSTIN -- The project to create a new medical school and teaching hospital at the University of Texas has been championed by State Senator Kirk Watson (D-Austin) and UT president Bill Powers, both of whom sat down with KVUE Friday to explain their vision.
"The estimates indicate that it would be about 15,000 jobs and roughly $2 billion in economic activity," said State Sen. Watson, who has been spearheading the effort since 2011. "That's an enormous boom to our economy."
Both say the project would improve health care quality and access in Central Texas, and Powers believes such an improvement could provide added incentive for businesses and business leaders to move to Austin.
"They look at health care," said Powers. "They want to be in places that are on the cutting edge and have robust health care systems, and by improving the health of Central Texans, and really Texans, it will have an impact on the economy in that way too."
Proponents of the project say the need stems from a shortage of doctors and specialists in Austin, as well as an interest in expanding medical research already in place at UT.
"What we don't have are the clinical trials, the place to make that research translational, that can work with the medical community," explained Powers, who says the project will help tie together various research arms and university assets in a practical environment.
See the article here:
State Sen. Watson, UT's Powers make case for med school
June 22, 2012 - BIO congratulated member companies Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. and Codexis, Inc. on receiving 2012 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards for pioneering advances in applying industrial biotechnology to manufacturing. Elevance Renewable Sciences received Small Business Award for producing high-performing, renewable specialty chemicals at advantageous costs, while Codexis received Greener Synthetic Pathways Award for efficient biocatalytic process to manufacture simvastatin. Biotechnology Industry Organization 1201 Maryland Ave., SW, Ste. 900 Washington, DC, 20024 USA Press release date: June 18, 2012
WASHINGTON-- Industrial biotechnology is being used to improve production of cleaner, healthier products, saving energy, reducing costs, and reducing pollution from manufacturing. The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today congratulated member companies Elevance Renewable Sciences and Codexis on receiving 2012 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards.
"Industrial biotechnology is already being used to produce products for the home that are cleaner and safer for the environment, require less energy for manufacturing and lower production costs"
"Industrial biotechnology is already being used to produce products for the home that are cleaner and safer for the environment, require less energy for manufacturing and lower production costs," said Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO's Industrial & Environmental Section. "BIO congratulates our members who have been recognized through the Presidential Green Chemistry Awards for their pioneering advances in applying industrial biotechnology to manufacturing. Their achievements show that more widespread adoption of industrial biotechnology processes can help establish a new path for sustainable economic growth and job creation, without continued reliance on foreign oil."
Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. received a Small Business Award for producing high-performing, renewable specialty chemicals at advantageous costs. Elevance employs Nobel-prize-winning catalyst technology to produce novel, high-performance renewable specialty chemicals for many uses that combine the benefits of both petrochemicals and biobased chemicals. The technology consumes significantly less energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent compared to petrochemical technologies.
Codexis, Inc. received a Greener Synthetic Pathways Award for an efficient biocatalytic process to manufacture simvastatin, a leading drug for treating high cholesterol. The previous multistep method for producing simvastatin was wasteful and used large amounts of hazardous reagents. Codexis optimized the chemical process to greatly reduce hazard and waste, be more cost-effective and meet the needs of customers.
About BIO BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIO produces BIOtech NOW, an online portal and monthly newsletter chronicling "innovations transforming our world." Subscribe to BIOtech NOW.
Contacts BIO Paul Winters, 202-962-9237 pwinters@bio.org
Industrial Specialties Mfg performs a unique role. If what we offer isn't exactly what you need, we'll design something that is. We'll provide special products at volume levels where others won't. Also check out our 150,000 standard fittings.
Visit our website
Read the original here:
Industrial Biotechnology Companies Receive Green Chemistry Awards for Cleaner, Safer ...
Chyler Leigh has opened up about the love story between her character and Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) on Grey's Anatomy.
Leigh made her debut as Lexie, the half-sibling of main character Meredith Grey, on the ABC series in 2007, where she had an on-off relationship with plastic surgeon Sloan until her death in a plane crash on last season's finale.
"The rollercoaster between them was always very dynamic and I think realistic," she shared to TV Guide. "When it comes to death we never know the date or the hour. There is absolute shock value to that.
"As far as their relationship, it was in some ways very young. So Rachel and Ross [from Friends]. It's so hard to put a pin in what went wrong or how it could have gone better.
"But will Mark go on? Absolutely. He'll move right along. That's just what Mark Sloane does. But initially I hope there will be a devastation."
When asked if Mark was the love of Lexie's life, Leigh answered: "I do. She learned so much from him about herself and about life in general. I do think there could have been a destiny for that."
Leight also revealed that she "didn't push" for a primetime Emmy consideration for her death scene on the season finale.
Watch a clip of Grey's Anatomy featuring Chyler Leigh and Eric Dane below:
Visit link:
'Grey's Anatomy's Chyler Leigh: 'Mark, Alexis could have a destiny'
Chyler Leigh has opened up about the love story between her character and Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) on Grey's Anatomy.
Leigh made her debut as Lexie, the half-sibling of main character Meredith Grey, on the ABC series in 2007, where she had an on-off relationship with plastic surgeon Sloan until her death in a plane crash on last season's finale.
"The rollercoaster between them was always very dynamic and I think realistic," she shared to TV Guide. "When it comes to death we never know the date or the hour. There is absolute shock value to that.
"As far as their relationship, it was in some ways very young. So Rachel and Ross [from Friends]. It's so hard to put a pin in what went wrong or how it could have gone better.
"But will Mark go on? Absolutely. He'll move right along. That's just what Mark Sloane does. But initially I hope there will be a devastation."
When asked if Mark was the love of Lexie's life, Leigh answered: "I do. She learned so much from him about herself and about life in general. I do think there could have been a destiny for that."
Leight also revealed that she "didn't push" for a primetime Emmy consideration for her death scene on the season finale.
Watch a clip of Grey's Anatomy featuring Chyler Leigh and Eric Dane below:
Go here to see the original:
'Grey's Anatomy's Chyler Leigh: 'Mark, Lexie could have a destiny'