Hump Day Headlines

Went out to dinner with a friend last night. The food definitely did not agree with me, which is why the news is a little late this morning. But here goes:

They're still bickering over the payroll tax cut. The GOP is split on what to do. Some say they this would worsen the deficit; others say the party that's been pushing cutting taxes for the rich can't deny a tax cut to the middle class. Here's a helpful graphic that shows the competing positions. The President gave a rousing speech yesterday in Kansas calling for a return to middle-class values. He said that income inequality is the defining issue of our time.

Among the issues that must be dealt with by the end of the year is the scheduled huge cut to Medicare physician reimbursement. The hope had been for a permanent "fix" rather than another delay, but the House GOP says no way.

Medicare enrollment is skyrocketing. The deadline for enrolling has been extended for anybody who contacts one of the organizations that enrolls people by the end of the day today. You can call 1-800-633-4227 or call the Medicare Rights Center at 1-800-333-4114. As long as you at least leave a voicemail by the end of today, you can still be enrolled until midnight on Saturday.

Contrary to the belief that the Presidency adds years onto your life, a new report says that Presidents live longer than most men of their age.

The FDA could decide today whether to lift age restrictions on the "morning after pill," which would mean bringing it from behind the counter to the public shelves of the pharmacy.

Believe it or not, that's all I have for you today. Not a whole lot of health news this week, it seems. Oh, well. Maybe that's a good thing. Anyway, have a great day! Jennifer