News and Issues

Rose Madeline Mula writes: "A while back I was hospitalized for five days for a surprise bout of pneumonia which floored me. When an attendant wheeled my gurney from the ER into a room, I was upset to see an old woman there. They had promised me a private room. I did not want to share space with that old crone. Oh, wait. That wasn't my roommate. It was a mirror." more »

"Numerous published studies have shown the potential negative consequences of short- and long-term use of recreational marijuana in adolescents. These consequences include impaired short-term memory and decreased concentration, attention span, and problem-solving skills, all of which interfere with learning. Alterations in motor control, coordination, judgment, reaction time, and tracking ability have also been documented. These effects may contribute to unintentional deaths and injuries among adolescents, especially those who drive after using marijuana." more »

In a time when the fertility business in the US is booming and so much is possible — artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), surrogacy, and potentially, bioengineering of embryos — there are few, if any, laws that protect the children from these less traditional origins. more »

As the nation's Republican leaders huddle to reconsider their plans to "repeal and replace" the nation's health law, advocates for universal health coverage press on in California, armed with renewed political will and a new set of proposals. Organized labor and two lawmakers are leading the charge for a single, government-financed program for everyone in the state. And Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom has suggested building on employer-based health care to plug holes in existing coverage. The proposals are fueled both by a fear of losing gains under the Affordable Care Act and a sense that the law doesn't go far enough toward covering everyone and cutting costs. more »