U.S.

Affordability, accessibility, quality―the hallowed trifecta at the center of the debate over health care reform. Proponents of reform argue that these three goals must be achieved for all Americans before any reform effort can be called a success. As a means to this end, supporters of market-based solutions to the health care problem are pushing to lift restrictions preventing the sale of health insurance across state lines. They maintain that allowing consumers to shop for insurance nationwide would increase competition, thereby lowering prices.

Critics of this measure warn, however, that overturning the current ban on interstate sales of health insurance will harm, not help, consumers. They argue that such a policy would enable out-of-state insurance companies to skirt strict consumer protection laws currently at work in states like California. Essentially, these laws mandate what kinds of services and treatments must be covered by all health insurance plans in their state; and, if the interstate ban was lifted, these states would have no power to regulate the content of policies purchased by their citizens from companies based out-of-state.

To put it another way, opponents of interstate insurance sales don't want consumers to be able to choose a policy that fits their specific needs; they want them to be required by law to purchase only those policies that government bureaucrats think is best for them. more >>

Just three years after being acquired by giant publisher Zondervan, Youth Specialties has been sold again to another organization.

YouthWorks!, Inc., a multi-denominational family of ministries, has agreed in principle to acquire Youth Specialties, according to an announcement Friday.

"We believe this agreement allows Youth Specialties to move to the next level under the guidance of a missions-minded ministry," said Moe Girkins, president and CEO of Zondervan. "Our appreciation for the heart and mission of Youth Specialties has been at the forefront of this venture and we are confident that our friends at YouthWorks offer a great fit." more >>

A handsome man with a dark secret, a vulnerable heroine and a love story make Thirsty, at first glance, your typical vampire novel. But then God shows up.

With Thirsty having hit shelves just weeks before the release of highly-anticipated vampire flick “New Moon,” some might think the novel is just feeding off the success of the Twilight saga. But author Thirsty author Tracey Bateman says she had not even read the best-selling books by Stephenie Meyer until after she started writing Thirsty.

Furthermore, the focus in the Bateman novel is not on the passionate romance between the vampire and a human woman (though the author does entertain the classic plot) but on human weaknesses and the dependence on God for strength. more >>

WASHINGTON – Evangelical, Orthodox and Catholic leaders who unveiled the "Manhattan Declaration" Friday insisted the document is not a political ploy.

Rather, it is a testament to their common Christian witness as they stand to uphold what they believe are the three most foundational issues in society – the sanctity of life, the historic understanding of marriage, and religious liberty.

"This is not a politically motivated agenda," Dr. Timothy George, one of three leaders who drafted the document, said as he addressed the media. "We are talking out of deep religious principles grounded in the holy Scriptures and the use of reason as we understand it as a God-given gift." more >>

Nearly 200 high school seniors and young adults signed commitment cards indicating they are ready to serve as ordained elders and deacons in the United Methodist Church.

They answered the call to ministry at a gathering over the weekend as church leaders told them their leadership was needed urgently.

"God is calling us to bring some freshness, some newness, to be innovative. God is calling you to lead us to that," the Rev. Tyrone Gordon, pastor of St. Luke Community United Methodist Church in Dallas, said at Exploration 2009, as reported by the United Methodist News Service. "It doesn’t matter how old you are. And when you hear God’s voice speaking to you, you don’t have to be afraid because God’s not going to leave you alone." more >>