News 2011
Benefits of Using Antiretroviral Treatment as an Effective Prevention Tool Must Not Be Overlooked
Since the initial presentations on and consequent controversies surrounding the subject, I have been an avid supporter of the principles behind the ground-breaking concept of ‘Treatment as Prevention.’
A Slippery Slope To Defunding The Health Law
From Kaiser Health News
This is high season for budget blueprints on Capitol Hill.
The week began with the unveiling of the Obama administration's budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. Meanwhile, in Congress, lawmakers are in the midst of debating a spending measure to provide current year funding for the federal government. As the action unfolds, the burning question is whether Republicans will try to "defund" health care reform and, if so, what strategy might they employ to do it. In fact, the defunding has already begun.
Read more: KHN: A Slippery Slope To Defunding The Health Law
Congressional Black Caucus “Cannot Accept” Obama Budget Cuts
From ColorLines
As President Obama huddles today with Senate Democrats on his $3.7 trillion budget proposal, the Congressional Black Caucus is emerging as one of the loudest House Democratic critics of a plan that Marc Ambinder at National Journal calls “The Budget Nobody Likes.”
Read more: Congressional Black Caucus “Cannot Accept” Obama Budget Cuts
An Irresponsible Roll Of The Dice
From Kaiser Health News
President Barack Obama's 2012 budget is a breathtaking economic gamble -- with other people's money.
The president chose to submit a profoundly unserious budget. There's no entitlement reform -- which would include addressing funding issues related to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security -- to close the long-term fiscal gap. There's no tax reform. There are some minor cuts to marginal programs for show. But, overall, it's very much a business-as-usual budget, with a few new and expensive long-term commitments thrown in for good measure (see, for instance, the high-speed rail initiative).
Answering The Obama Budget Critics...
From Kaiser Health News
Conservatives and Republicans had a lot to say about the budget President Barack Obama released on Monday. None of it was good. The budget doesn't do enough to stabilize federal finances, they said. And it doesn't do enough to slow rising health care costs.