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Friday, 22 March 2013 16:20
'John B.' ruling ends court-ordered monitoring of TennCare children's services
A federal appeals court on Thursday ended 15 years of court-ordered oversight of Tennessee’s health care services for poor and disabled children under TennCare, the state’s Medicaid program — a decision that affects more than a third of the state’s children. The ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit ends ongoing monitoring of TennCare’s progress in meeting a federal requirement that all of the approximately 750,000 children on TennCare receive regular medical, dental and mental health screenings.
Friday, 22 March 2013 16:20
Oregon Legislature considers drone regulation
As the nation debates the use of drones to hunt terrorism suspects abroad, Oregon lawmakers are considering legislation that would regulate how drones could be used here. The Oregon Legislature will consider three drone-related bills this session.
Friday, 22 March 2013 16:19
Reducing road deaths proves challenging in rural states
Montana has been working for years to try to reduce the number of people who die there on the road. The state’s latest plan lists a dozen ways to cut the number of people road fatalities. It wants to work with Native Americans, teens and seniors to curb risky drivers; improve ambulance response times in rural areas; and push all people to use their seat belts. The results so far have been promising.
Friday, 22 March 2013 16:18
Illinois deal on fracking could be national model
After years of clashing over the drilling method known as hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," the oil industry and environmentalists have achieved something extraordinary in Illinois: They sat down together to draft regulations both sides could live with. If approved by lawmakers, participants say, the rules would be the nation's strictest.
Wednesday, 20 March 2013 16:13
Larcenia Bullard, former Miami state senator with ‘biggest heart’, dies
Former state Sen. Larcenia Bullard was the rarest of politicians in the Florida Capitol: She seemed to make everyone happy and had no apparent enemies. Senator Bullard was the lady with the big bear hugs, the woman from Miami who made you feel special.
Wednesday, 13 March 2013 15:36
Blue Shield and Aetna to raise healthcare rates over state objections
Despite objections from regulators, health insurers Blue Shield of California and Aetna Inc. are proceeding with double-digit rate increases that state officials said were unreasonable.
Wednesday, 13 March 2013 15:34
California, on brink of recovery, braces for setback on Federal aid
After years of ballooning budget deficits, California finally seemed on firmer footing. Unemployment remained high, but revenues and housing prices were up. Taxpayers even voted themselves a tax increase to bring deficits down.
Wednesday, 13 March 2013 15:30
Lawmakers move swiftly to block release of gun permit records
Curious about whether your neighbor is armed? Wondering if local officials are illegally doling out gun permits to convicted felons? It may be impossible to find out, unless you live in one of a small and shrinking group of states.
Wednesday, 13 March 2013 15:29
Senate panel rejects Medicaid expansion in Florida
A Florida Senate committee voted Monday against Medicaid expansion, joining the House in rejecting Gov. Rick Scott’s proposal for a three-year trial covered entirely by federal funding.
Wednesday, 13 March 2013 15:27
House says yes to expanded gun rights
A plan to allow Georgians to carry weapons in bars, churches, parts of college campuses and into unsecured government buildings won overwhelming approval in the state House on Thursday, but the legislation already faces serious doubts in the state Senate