Lack of health insurance shortens Alabama lives, study shows

Nearly 6,000 uninsured Alabamians have died prematurely since 1994, the year Washington last attempted health care reform, according to a report released today by Families USA, a nonprofit health care consumer advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.

Read news release.

 
Arise Daily News Digest 3-11-2010

BIRMINGHAM NEWS - UAB surrenders to FBI records for programs overseen by Rep. John Rogers (D-Birmingham).

(MOBILE) PRESS-REGISTER - Alabama’s infant mortality rate increases.

(MOBILE) PRESS-REGISTER - Senate committee approves ban on texting while driving.

BIRMINGHAM NEWS - Senate Democrats propose temporary tax cuts.

(MOBILE) PRESS-REGISTER - Federal judge refuses to restrict anti-gambling task force.

HUNTSVILLE TIMES - Liberal group targets U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith (R) on healthcare.

BIRMINGHAM NEWS - Alabama’s jobless rate in January jumps to 11.1 percent.

(MOBILE) PRESS-REGISTER - Cockfighting sparks impassioned arguments at House committee meeting.

(MOBILE) PRESS-REGISTER - House Speaker, budget chairman say General Fund proration of 12 percent likely.

TUSCALOOSA NEWS - Governor, Attorney General meeting to discuss anti-gambling task force; King says decision will come later.

TUSCALOOSA NEWS - Summary of yesterday’s action in the  Alabama Legislature.

ANNISTON STARThe Anniston Star comments on the recent rise in union membership in Alabama.

DOTHAN EAGLEThe Dothan Eagle looks at state’s current funding crisis, and cautions “Alabamians may get the opportunity to see what happens when public education goes bankrupt. And they may see it sooner than one would expect.”

WASHINGTON POST – Obama pounds drum for healthcare reform while opponents prepare advertising campaign to defeat it.

WASHINGTON POST - Columnist David Broder suggests that Congress should look to states for ways to deal with spiraling debt.

WASHINGTON POST - Alabama’s senators vote no as Senate approves $140 billion for unemployment assistance, job creation.

MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - Alabama Supreme Court justice Tom Parker argues against a system of appointments rather than elections for judges.

HUNTSVILLE TIMES – GOP gubernatorial candidate Kay Ivey says state has been “living high on the hog;” calls for budget cuts.

WAAYTV.COM – Governor opposes simple referendum on electronic bingo.

HUFFINGTON POST – Actor and director Adam McKay pens an open letter to Alabama asking “why do you continue electing Sen. Shelby?”

 
Recovery Act had huge Alabama impact in first year

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has saved thousands of jobs and put money in the pockets of nearly all Alabama workers in the year since it became law, ACPP executive director Kimble Forrister said today on the one-year anniversary of ARRA's enactment.

Read news release.