In the News: May-12

Economic woes hurt U.S. Medicare, Social Security - 12 May 2009 at 3:04pm - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economic recession has taken a toll on the financial strength of Social Security and Medicare retirement and health programs for the elderly, a government report released on Tuesday showed.

Feds exaggerate predictions of greenhouse gas reductions: watchdog - 12 May 2009 at 2:41pm - The federal government has overstated greenhouse gas reductions expected as a result of its climate change plans and is failing to count the actual reductions to see if they match with predictions, says a report from the environment commissioner.

White House memo challenges finding on warming - 12 May 2009 at 1:56pm - A White House document says U.S. regulation of the gases blamed for global warming will have serious consequences throughout the U.S. economy. The document is a compilation of opinions from numerous federal agencies about the Environment Protection Agency's finding that greenhouse gases are a danger to public health. It was released Tuesday by Republican senators.

Miami VA: Steps taken to prevent contamination - 12 May 2009 at 1:50pm - MIAMI -- The top Veterans Affairs official in Miami said Tuesday she has taken steps locally to prevent the kind of problems that exposed patients to contaminated medical equipment at VA hospitals in three states.

Thought for the day:
Whoever in discussion adduces authority uses not intellect but memory. -Leonardo da Vinci (1452 - 1519)