Health Care

The Ron Paul campaign has released a new ad featuring several former patients touting the GOP presidential candidate and doctor's Christian faith and pro-life stance.

The 60-second ad, titled “Always on the Right Path,” promotes Paul's experience as an obstetrician/gynecologist who has delivered more than 4,000 babies, while confirming his belief that life begins at conception – a crucial issue for many voters.

Former female patients are featured in the ad, praising Paul for his beliefs and character. more >>

A controversial study from Columbia University, claiming the health and well-being of gay men is possibly linked to pro-homosexual policies, is being contested for its "flaws" and the alleged bias of the head researcher.

Mark L. Hatzenbuehler, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health & Society Scholar at the university, is credited with conceiving of the study and completing its analyses.

"Gay men lead healthier, less stress-filled lives when states offer legal protections to same-sex couples," reads a Dec. 15 press release from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. more >>

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) announced Thursday a bipartisan reform plan for Medicare. The plan would give seniors the option to receive a voucher to enter the private healthcare market, but Medicare would remain an option as well.

“Before the partisan attacks begin to escalate and the 2012 election ads start to air, we are outlining a plan for how Democrats and Republicans can work together to ensure that American retirees – now and forever – have quality, affordable health insurance,” Ryan and Wyden wrote in their 12-page report introducing the plan.

Under the plan, beginning in 2022, seniors would have the option to enroll in Medicare or receive “premium support” to purchase insurance through a Medicare-approved private plan. more >>

The creation of mobile clinics that can euthanize patients at home is now being considered by the Dutch government, but some are calling the program “Death-on-Wheels.”

Euthanasia has already been made legal in the Netherlands, but new plans could expand eligibility criteria and make euthanasia more accessible. Rita Marker, a speaker for Patients Rights Council stated, “Well you know how they say that death comes knocking. Now it really does.”

Edith Schippers, the Dutch health minister, in a written answer to questions from Christian Union MPs, has said that candidates for mobile units could be "patients who meet the criteria for euthanasia but whose doctors are unwilling to carry it out.” more >>

As the world is assessing the global fight with HIV/AIDS today, global AIDS Day, experts say that tough financial times are a serious obstacle to efficient help for those struggling with the deadly virus.

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is a global organization fighting three of the world's most devastating diseases. It is reportedly the single largest donor body for HIV funding that provides more than 70 percent of funds for life-saving antiretroviral drugs in developing nations. The group provides HIV testing and counseling sessions to an estimated 190 million people.

But the organization admits that the global meltdown poses some serious risks to how much the fund can help. more >>

American voters continue to favor of the repeal of President Barack Obama’s health care reform law as it awaits U.S. Supreme Court action, a new poll shows.

According a Wednesday Quinnipiac poll, 47 percent of Americans believe that Congress should repeal the new health care reform law.

Republicans overwhelmingly favor repeal – by 84 percent – compared to Democrats who overwhelming support the health care law (69 percent). Independents side with Republicans in support of repeal, 44 percent to 41 percent. Hispanics also favor repeal 50 percent to 35 percent. more >>