Last year, 2008, brought an unusually large amount of attention to the issues of health care and health insurance. This high level of activity speaks directly to the interest level that the public holds regarding health in this country these days. And when the public shows interest in a topic, legislators are generally swayed soon thereafter.
Health benefits occurred across the food spectrum, as dark chocolate finally got its day. It was determined that dark chocolate does contribute to better blood circulation, as well as lowering blood pressure. And in May, McDonald's decided to stop the use of oils containing trans fats in U.S. and Canada restaurants. Eating french fries won't quite be the same. And more regarding trans fats, the state of California became the first state in the nation to ban the use of trans fats in restaurants.
On the state level there was much activity. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, after pushing aggressively for a comprehensive health care reform, vetoed legislation that would have provided a single payer system. It was his second veto in three years of a similar plan. Across the country in Florida, Governor Charlie Crist was able to pass a law that will provide residents with affordable coverage through a new Florida health insurance program. Meanwhile, Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle axed the state's universal health insurance program for children, due to budget constraints. And in Massachusetts, due to skyrocketing costs, lawmakers were forced to raise premiums for the state-subsidized health insurance program.
As the Obama transition team has been readying to take the reins of the White House, it was announced that former U.S. Senator Tom Daschle has been tapped to head the Department of Health and Human Services. During his 2008 campaign, Obama stated that health care reform would be one of his top priorities. U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy relinquished his seat on the Senate Judiciary committee in order to concentrate on getting a workable health care agenda passed. "This is the opportunity of a lifetime, and I intend to make the most of it," he stated.
Federally, a law was passed that prohibits discrimination based on genetic information received by health insurance companies. And the health insurance industry also agreed to support a universal health insurance mandate which would include a plan that would prohibit denial of coverage to any person with pre-existing conditions. So 2008 was a very active year for health care and health insurance. That says something about the importance of the subject in the minds of the American people. - 14915
Health benefits occurred across the food spectrum, as dark chocolate finally got its day. It was determined that dark chocolate does contribute to better blood circulation, as well as lowering blood pressure. And in May, McDonald's decided to stop the use of oils containing trans fats in U.S. and Canada restaurants. Eating french fries won't quite be the same. And more regarding trans fats, the state of California became the first state in the nation to ban the use of trans fats in restaurants.
On the state level there was much activity. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, after pushing aggressively for a comprehensive health care reform, vetoed legislation that would have provided a single payer system. It was his second veto in three years of a similar plan. Across the country in Florida, Governor Charlie Crist was able to pass a law that will provide residents with affordable coverage through a new Florida health insurance program. Meanwhile, Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle axed the state's universal health insurance program for children, due to budget constraints. And in Massachusetts, due to skyrocketing costs, lawmakers were forced to raise premiums for the state-subsidized health insurance program.
As the Obama transition team has been readying to take the reins of the White House, it was announced that former U.S. Senator Tom Daschle has been tapped to head the Department of Health and Human Services. During his 2008 campaign, Obama stated that health care reform would be one of his top priorities. U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy relinquished his seat on the Senate Judiciary committee in order to concentrate on getting a workable health care agenda passed. "This is the opportunity of a lifetime, and I intend to make the most of it," he stated.
Federally, a law was passed that prohibits discrimination based on genetic information received by health insurance companies. And the health insurance industry also agreed to support a universal health insurance mandate which would include a plan that would prohibit denial of coverage to any person with pre-existing conditions. So 2008 was a very active year for health care and health insurance. That says something about the importance of the subject in the minds of the American people. - 14915
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