News and Issues

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — the agency that administers Medicare — could use electronically readable cards in Medicare for a number of different purposes. Three key uses include authenticating beneficiary and provider presence at the point of care, electronically exchanging beneficiary medical information, and electronically conveying beneficiary identity and insurance information to providers. more »

Joan L. Cannon writes: In my teens I came to the realization that without words we could not actually think. Feel, emote, react — of course, but it takes words to think. My father was a perfectionist. A musician and writer, he did his best to reorder his world to an ideal of regularity and esthetic standards. That included his growing daughter's handling of the English language. more »

Senator Dianne Feinstein: "Europe has a robust system, which includes consumer protections like product registration and ingredient reviews. I am pleased to be introducing this bipartisan legislation with Senator Susan Collins that will require FDA to review chemicals used in these products and provide clear guidance on their safety. From shampoo to lotion, the use of personal care products is widespread, however, there are very few protections in place to ensure their safety." more »

With all the attention focused on California's water woes, an observer might conclude that the Golden State's drought is the exception. It isn't. Forty states expect to see water shortages in at least some areas in the next decade, according to a government watchdog agency. In a 2013 survey by the Government Accountability Office state water managers from around the country said they expect freshwater shortages to continue into the next decade, even under what they described as "average" conditions. more »