State officials unveil Health Improvement Plan

ForbesOKLAHOMA CITY — Improving children’s health and reducing obesity and tobacco use are the focus of a plan released Thursday for improving the health outcomes of Oklahoma residents, who officials said have higher rates of disease and mortality than almost every other state.Oklahoma ranks 49th in the nation in the health outcomes of its citizens – ahead of only Mississippi – and 5,320 lives… Read more

House approves $447 billion omnibus spending measure

Washington PostThe House voted Thursday to approve half a dozen spending bills contained in one large package, as the chamber races to complete its work before adjourning for the year.The $447 billion measure, which combines six appropriations bills, passed 221 to 202, with 28 Democrats joining all 174 Republicans present in opposing it. GOP lawmakers said the measure was overinflated and rushed… Read more

Drugmakers, Hospitals, Insurers Fight Changes to Health Bill

BloombergDec. 10 (Bloomberg) — Drugmakers, hospitals and insurers are ramping up their opposition to provisions targeting their industries in health-care legislation as senators try to squeeze more savings out of the companies.The U.S. Senate today may vote on an amendment that would allow the importation of cheaper medicines from Canada and other countries. The plan, from lawmakers led by North… Read more

Divergent strategies for Brown, Coakley

BostonHOLYOKE – From the opening moments yesterday of their special election battle for US Senate, the contrasts between Republican Scott Brown and Democrat Martha Coakley were clear.Brown, a state senator from Wrentham, signaled he would go after the attorney general with everything he had. She indicated she would do all she could to ignore him.He kicked off his six-week push with a press… Read more