Moving Day Edition

Okay, well I'm up at the crack of dawn waiting for movers and helpers to show up, so I might as well do something with my time! So here's the news.

Unprecedented. President Obama asked to speak to a Joint Session of Congress next Wednesday. SPEAKER BOEHNER SAID NO. That's right -- he said no to even letting the man speak. He said it was because it takes time to plan the logistics, but it's fair to assume it has something to do with the fact that the GOP Presidential candidates are debating on Wednesday night. So the President will give his speech on Thursday. Because really, what matters more, a speech about jobs or GOP politics? Never before in American history has Congress declined a request from the President to speak before it. And it would never happen to any other President.

How are Congress and the President supposed to solve our jobs crisis, our health care crisis, when they fight over even petty things like this?

A bill that would have allowed California to regulate insurance premium rates died in the legislature. Another victory for the industry.

An agreement that has pharmaceutical companies funding the FDA is expected to be announced today. The fox guarding the henhouse?

HHS awarded $40 million in grants to expand the public health workforce. Jobs stimulus plus better health care -- a net win for us all.

Venus Williams has pulled out of the US Open. She recently was diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome, which causes dry eyes, joint pain, and massive fatigue. Chronic illness strikes again.

Health care workers are more likely to wash their hands for the sake of patients' help rather than their own. Interesting -- sort of counter-intuitive.

The Hospital of Central Connecticut has started a program to coach patients to transition from hospital back to life at home to help prevent hospital readmissions. This is precisely the kind of innovation we need to see.

Florida is tightening laws to shut down "pill mills" that have been distributing Oxycodone and other opioids illegally.

The FDA again tries to assure us that silicone breast implants are safe. Except for when they leak.

A new study shows that women who marry before age 18 have greater risk of mental illness. The snarky remarks are too easy -- you fill in the blank for yourself.

And that's today's news. Wish me luck -- and have a great day! Jennifer