Hump Day Headlines

We know this from the calls we get, but people are really hurting due to state budget cuts. The President will speak to the Nation tomorrow night and tell us what he hopes he and Congress will do to help. The Dems want new public works projects; the GOP says that's already failed (I must have missed that). The President will call for $300 billion in tax cuts (maintaining the reduced payroll tax, extending unemployment benefits) and spending to create new jobs. But there are some signs that members heard their constituents and are ready to compromise on some issues. Wouldn't that be a refreshing change? Indeed, Speaker Boehner and Majority Leader Cantor want to meet with him before his speech. I would like to be a fly on that wall.

Meanwhile, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is just about out of money for disaster relief and Congress can't agree on how much to give and whether funding for disasters has to be offset against cuts elsewhere. An unnatural disaster, if you ask me. Perhaps Congress should offset it with their own pay cut.

And not that this should surprise anybody, but the members of the super-committee have strong ties to lobbyists. John Kyl, one of the GOP members, says it's going to be very hard for the committee to reach agreement -- now there's positive thinking! They named a Dem as deputy staffer. A woman, even. There's progress! The committee meets for the first time tomorrow.

Which states have the most and the least health insurance? The most is Massachusetts, where health insurance is mandatory. The worst? Texas -- courtesy of Governor Rick Perry. No surprise there.

Mitt Romney says he would convert Medicaid to block grants and repeal health reform. If you ever want coverage of your pre-existing condition, you should care about this.

Indeed, you should care about the health reform regulations that are being issued, as well. Many of us believe that they are tilted in favor of industry. We lost important battles on the appeal regulations, and we fear more of the same to come.

What happens if the Supreme Court strikes down the individual mandate? Will health reform still continue? Here are 6 expert answers -- you decide.

A doctor at Bellevue hospital in New York City remembers 9/11. "It's gonna be a big one," said a nurse after the first tower was hit. They had no idea.

Nashville is one of several cities across the country that got a grant for health improvement programs. Should be interesting to see what works -- and what doesn't.

Flu shots this year will get a smaller needle -- less of an excuse for you to skip it!

How to cut your diabetes risk. Pretty much what you'd expect. Do not come to work at 6 am. Do not drink your tea while working. Do not eat a sandwich or a bowl of soup for dinner. Hmmm -- I guess I need a lifestyle change, eh?

There you go -- that should get your day started. Have a great one! Jennifer