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Medical marijuana advocates are hoping state governments can succeed where their efforts have failed by asking federal authorities to reclassify pot as a drug with medical use.

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Judge blocks law on cigarette pack warnings updated: Tue Nov 08 2011 07:28:00

A federal judge on Monday blocked implementation of a law that would have mandated tobacco companies include on cigarette packages graphic pictures and messages showing the dangers of smoking.

Medical pot group sues Obama administration over California crackdownupdated: Thu Oct 27 2011 20:33:00

A medical marijuana advocacy group sued the Obama administration Thursday, saying its policy "to subvert local and state medical marijuana laws in California" is unconstitutional.

Expensive breast cancer testsupdated: Thu Oct 27 2011 12:21:00

Elizabeth Cohen reports on women paying more for better breast cancer testing.

When breast cancer tests get it wrongupdated: Thu Oct 27 2011 12:21:00

Imagine going in for a cancer screening, and the technician turns to you and says, "We're finished, but if I push this button over here, the machine can detect even smaller cancers. But here's the hitch: You have to pay $700 if you want me to push this button."

Obama and Romney health plans: Both borrowed from Richard Nixonupdated: Tue Oct 25 2011 09:12:00

Mitt Romney has pledged to repeal President Obama's universal health care law if he is elected president. Critics find his position rather strange, arguing that the plan he helped develop when he was governor of Massachusetts is quite similar in design to the Obama plan. Romney disputes his critics, saying there are important and fundamental differences between the plans. Who is correct?

Mitt Romney's health care visionupdated: Tue Oct 25 2011 09:12:00

CNN's Jim Acosta looks at the most recent allegations about Mitt Romney's Massachusetts health care plan.

Truth Squad: Did the Obama administration try to repeal part of own health care plan?updated: Wed Oct 19 2011 03:14:00

At Tuesday night's GOP presidential debate in Las Vegas, Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann suggested that opposition to President Obama's health reform law prompted the administration to repeal part of it.

Should we pay people to stop smoking?updated: Wed Oct 05 2011 16:42:00

Last month, President Obama proposed cutting almost $72 billion from Medicaid, the program that provides health care to America's poor. Such deep reductions are necessary, he declared, to bring down our staggering national debt.

DOT moves to ban e-cigarettes on planesupdated: Mon Sep 19 2011 12:49:00

Puffing on electronic cigarettes is already a no-no on flights, but the government wants there to be no doubt.

CNNMoney: Number of people without health insurance climbsupdated: Tue Sep 13 2011 17:22:00

The number of people who lacked health insurance last year climbed to 49.9 million, up from 49 million in 2009, the Census Bureau said Tuesday.

CNNMoney: National debt: Why entitlement spending must be reined inupdated: Tue Sep 06 2011 08:34:00

Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security are three of the government's most popular and relied upon programs.

Colleges tell smokers, 'You're not welcome here'updated: Thu Sep 01 2011 12:19:00

This summer, a group of University of Kentucky students and staff has been patrolling campus grounds -- scouting out any student, employee or visitor lighting a cigarette.

Choosing death can be like a 'birth,' advocates sayupdated: Tue Aug 30 2011 14:24:00

James Powell could barely speak on the day he died; cancer had confined him to bed and heavy painkillers left him only semi-lucid. Yet the mood was almost celebratory as 25 people -- family, friends and volunteers -- gathered in a large living room to tell stories and say goodbye on the day Powell chose to end his suffering.

Can scary labels, scary taxes end smoking?updated: Sun Aug 14 2011 09:32:00

On a trip to New York this summer, I was in the newsstand/gift shop of a hotel, and a man in front of me in line was purchasing something. I heard the clerk say to him: "That will be $18.30."

Parts of 'Obamacare' unconstitutionalupdated: Fri Aug 12 2011 15:22:00

An Atlanta federal appeals court has ruled key parts of 2010 health care reform law are unconstitutional.

CNNMoney: Health providers: Debt deal puts seniors at riskupdated: Mon Aug 01 2011 19:20:00

Hospital and doctor groups warned Monday that the debt ceiling deal could damage seniors' access to health care if it triggers pay cuts to Medicare providers.

CNNMoney: U.S. will pay for half of all health care costs by 2020updated: Thu Jul 28 2011 17:52:00

The U.S. government will foot the bill for half of all health care costs in the United States by 2020, according to a government report released Thursday.

CNNMoney: Debt ceiling impasse imperils safety netupdated: Mon Jul 25 2011 09:10:00

Social Security payments aren't the only federal lifeline that could grind to a halt if the debt ceiling impasse continues beyond Aug. 2.

FBI: 'Enraged' flier pelts crew with peanutsupdated: Tue Jul 19 2011 10:55:00

An airline passenger is accused of assaulting and intimidating flight attendants after he allegedly became furious when he was asked to put away his electronic cigarette.

Chantix may increase heart attack risksupdated: Tue Jul 05 2011 15:53:00

Chantix, a popular aid used to quit smoking, may increase your chances of a heart attack and depression.

Heart risks added to Chantix health concernsupdated: Tue Jul 05 2011 15:53:00

A study published Monday in a Canadian journal concluded that smokers who take Chantix, one of the most popular smoking cessation drugs, could increase their risk of heart problems.

CNNMoney: Sick kids get legal help from Wal-Martupdated: Fri Jul 01 2011 12:49:00

For the first time in its history, the nation's largest retailer Wal-Mart is providing free legal support for patients at the Arkansas Children's Hospital, many of whom are from low income families on Medicaid.

High Court sides with generic drug makers in narrow rulingupdated: Thu Jun 23 2011 18:04:00

Two women who say they suffered severe medical complications from a generic drug lost their Supreme Court appeal Thursday, essentially ending their separate lawsuits against pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Obama flexible on health care overhaulupdated: Thu Jun 09 2011 09:52:00

Pres. Obama says he's flexible on health care reform, and putting more power in states' hands if there are better ideas.

The legacy of 'Dr. Death'updated: Fri Jun 03 2011 23:29:00

CNN's Gary Tuchman reports on the life and legacy of Dr. Jack Kevorkian.

'Dr. Death' Jack Kevorkian is dead at 83updated: Fri Jun 03 2011 23:29:00

Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the Michigan pathologist who put assisted suicide on the world's medical ethics stage, died early Friday, according to a spokesman with Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan. He was 83.

House Democrats want shared burden from deficit reduction dealupdated: Thu Jun 02 2011 20:21:00

Any deficit reduction deal with Republicans must bolster job growth and spread the burden equally among the wealthy and other segments of society, congressional Democratic leaders said Thursday after talks with President Barack Obama.

Administration says Indiana law violates Medicaid rulesupdated: Thu Jun 02 2011 14:50:00

The Obama administration is attempting to block Indiana from enforcing a new law that would keep low-income women from using federal Medicaid benefits to receive any kind of reproductive medical care from Planned Parenthood.

'Walmart of Weed' to open in Arizona, promote growing your ownupdated: Wed Jun 01 2011 17:08:00

It's called the "Walmart of Weed."

'Walmart of Weed' opens in Arizonaupdated: Wed Jun 01 2011 17:08:00

WeGrow opens its latest store in Phoenix, Arizona, selling marijuana-growing equipment but not the drug itself.

Senate rejects budget measure containing Medicare overhaulupdated: Thu May 26 2011 05:41:00

In what amounted to political theater rather than legislative action, the Senate on Wednesday rejected a House budget plan that included a controversial provision to overhaul Medicare and also unanimously voted down President Barack Obama's 2012 budget proposal.

Red seat turns blue in New Yorkupdated: Thu May 26 2011 05:41:00

Dems see Congresswoman-elect Kathy Hochul's upset win in New York as an early test of things to come in 2012.

New York City outdoor smoking ban beginsupdated: Tue May 24 2011 06:36:00

Smokers in New York City looking to light up in most public places will not be able to without paying a price after an outdoor citywide smoking ban takes effect Monday.

Can Romney overcome 'Romneycare' legacy?updated: Wed May 18 2011 07:23:00

Mitt Romney faces a backlash over his health care plan when he was governor of Massachusetts. CNN's Jim Acosta reports.

Can Romney find a cure for 'Romneycare'?updated: Thu May 12 2011 11:33:00

For Mitt Romney, it's not just a question -- it's more like a campaign illness he'd like to cure once and for all.

Patients, beware of wrong-side surgeriesupdated: Thu Apr 28 2011 14:31:00

Early one morning in April, Tasha Gaul and Dale Matlock took their young son, Jesse, to a hospital in Portland, Oregon, for surgery to correct his lazy eye. It was supposed to be an easy procedure: Jesse, who was 3 at the time, wouldn't even have to spend the night at the hospital.

Republicans' Medicare blunderupdated: Thu Apr 28 2011 07:58:00

In town hall meetings being held across the country during Congress' two-week recess, American citizens are filling the ears of Republican legislators with objections to the party's budget plan, particularly proposed changes to Medicare that would replace direct coverage with subsidies for private insurance.

Medicare and Medicaid overhaul fearsupdated: Thu Apr 21 2011 13:37:00

Proposed changes to Medicare and Medicaid have future senior citizens concerned. CNN's Sandra Endo reports.

How quickly does lung cancer develop for smokers?updated: Wed Apr 20 2011 08:36:00

I started smoking socially in high school and still do. How long would it take for someone like me develop lung cancer?

CNNMoney: Which debt plan do economists favor? Neitherupdated: Tue Apr 19 2011 05:43:00

This month, leaders from both parties introduced two major plans to cut the nation's long-term debt. But economists don't like either one. In an exclusive CNNMoney survey, eight out of 18 economists polled said they believed neither President Obama's nor Republican Paul Ryan's plans for deficit reduction are in the best interest of the nation's economy.

'Hands off my Medicare'updated: Fri Apr 15 2011 23:51:00

House Republicans push through a budget blueprint that would overhaul Medicare and Medicaid. CNN's Dana Bash reports.

CNNMoney: Who pays for Obama's Medicare plan? Hint: Not seniorsupdated: Fri Apr 15 2011 09:59:00

When it comes to deciding who pays to reduce runaway Medicare costs, President Obama and House Republicans have very different views.

End-of-life planning eases sufferingupdated: Fri Apr 15 2011 09:52:00

The tiny conference room was cold. My heart was beating fast. I was scared to sign the papers and I tried to quell my unremitting hot stream of tears.

Obama seeks $4 trillion in cuts; GOP assails call for tax hikesupdated: Thu Apr 14 2011 10:07:00

President Barack Obama unveiled his long-awaited deficit reduction plan Wednesday, calling for a mix of spending reductions and tax hikes that the White House claims would cut federal deficits by $4 trillion over the next 12 years without gutting popular programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

CNNMoney: Obama lays out plan for cutting Medicare, Medicaidupdated: Wed Apr 13 2011 18:28:00

President Obama unveiled a plan Wednesday to cut Medicare and Medicaid costs, but without slashing benefits for seniors and the needy.

Is secondhand smoke really that risky?updated: Wed Apr 13 2011 17:40:00

Really, how much secondhand smoke does a nonsmoker get anyway? If a person who smokes a pack a day for 30 years is only 1/3 more likely to die younger than a nonsmoker, then how likely is it that a nonsmoker is even more likely to die younger merely because other people smoke?

CNNMoney: The ugly math of Medicareupdated: Fri Apr 08 2011 14:14:00

House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan's 2012 budget resolution turned the floodlights on Medicare, the health care program for seniors that is projected to take increasingly bigger bites out of the federal budget in the coming decades.

Ryan's plan a step -- but in wrong directionupdated: Fri Apr 08 2011 10:53:00

This week, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan unveiled his "Path to Prosperity" budget proposal and made some bold claims about what it would do. He said it would bring spending and the deficit under control while stimulating the economy to recover from the recession with amazing speed.

Budget battle continues on Capitol Hillupdated: Fri Apr 08 2011 10:53:00

Democrats and Republicans are locked in a stalemate over budget.

Paul Ryan: the Dr. Kevorkian of Medicareupdated: Wed Apr 06 2011 13:34:00

Republicans have always hated Medicare, but most Americans have always loved it. Now, led by Rep. Paul Ryan, the Republicans are trying to kill it once and for all.

Fortune: Health care reform can't work without more doctorsupdated: Wed Apr 06 2011 13:08:00

Late last month, the Patient Protection and Affordability Act, better known as "health care reform," quietly celebrated its first birthday. The bill has its supporters, including the millions of previously uninsured Americans who will have access to coverage because of it. But its critics have been more vocal, attacking the landmark legislation for "gutting" Medicare, drastically understating the measure's probable cost, and funding a new entitlement with early premiums from still another entitlement for long-term care that's destined to go broke.

CNNMoney: Where GOP budget would biteupdated: Tue Apr 05 2011 19:28:00

Good news: The budget proposal unveiled Tuesday by House Republicans would dramatically reduce the country's long-term debt.

House budget chairman to propose Medicare, Medicaid changesupdated: Sun Apr 03 2011 11:54:00

House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan said Sunday he will unveil a Republican budget for 2012 this week that proposes dramatic changes to Medicare, Medicaid and other political lightning rods.

Justices debate lawsuits over generic drug safetyupdated: Wed Mar 30 2011 22:09:00

Two women who say they suffered severe medical complications from a generic drug are asking the Supreme Court to allow their separate lawsuits against the pharmaceutical manufactures to proceed. The justices, in oral arguments Wednesday, gave no clear indication where they were leaning.

Pioneer who banned smokers at his hotelupdated: Mon Mar 28 2011 11:26:00

First, I wanted to find out if Lyndon Sanders was still alive. Second, I wanted to find out if he was feeling triumphant.

Airport smoking lounges: Here to stay?updated: Fri Mar 25 2011 17:53:00

You've probably seen the smoke-filled, glass-encased fishbowls that play host to smokers if you've passed through some of the nation's largest airports in recent years.

Montana medical marijuana stores raided; advocates cry foulupdated: Wed Mar 16 2011 13:07:00

In a move that drew fire from medical marijuana advocates, federal authorities raided 26 medical marijuana dispensaries in 13 Montana cities, saying they have probable cause to believe that the businesses are involved in large-scale trafficking.

Are psychiatric advance directives worthwhile?updated: Tue Mar 15 2011 11:19:00

Do you think it is worthwhile to have a psychiatric advance directive?

Don't cut Medicaid, fund it betterupdated: Tue Mar 15 2011 08:38:00

You can't turn on the news these days without hearing about our budget crisis. We've also been told, over and over, that it's a problem with spending -- we're doing too much of it.

Fortune: Generics' new legal attack: Big Pharma's aging patentsupdated: Fri Mar 11 2011 15:26:00

Big Pharma faces a host of well-known problems, most notably that its blockbuster drugs are coming off patent at the same time that its pipeline of new drugs has turned into a drip. But the leading pharmaceutical companies like Novartis, Merck and Bayer are also battling another costly headache -- legal challenges to their existing patents are increasing with the rapidity of a centrifuge.

CNNMoney: Health care coverage: Big changes in 2012updated: Thu Mar 10 2011 14:32:00

Come 2012, millions of Americans who get health care coverage through their employer should brace for some big changes.

CNNMoney: Medicaid funding busts state budgetsupdated: Mon Feb 28 2011 19:04:00

The Obama administration is giving states more flexibility in implementing the health care reform law, but that won't help governors plug one of their biggest immediate budget problems: Runaway Medicaid costs.

CNNMoney: Insurer medical costs falling - 1st time in 10 yearsupdated: Wed Feb 23 2011 16:57:00

For the first time in 10 years, the U.S. health insurance industry is expected to report a decline in medical expenses, according to a new report by Weiss Ratings.

Restaurant shut down over smoking ban to reopen -- smoke-freeupdated: Thu Feb 17 2011 09:35:00

A restaurant shut down by police last week for repeatedly violating Spain's tough new anti-smoking law will reopen next month smoke-free, the owner of the establishment said Thursday.

Montana House votes to repeal medical marijuana lawupdated: Fri Feb 11 2011 07:51:00

The Montana House of Representatives voted 63-37 Thursday to repeal the state's six-year-old medical marijuana law.

Medical pot hits small townsupdated: Thu Feb 10 2011 13:48:00

CNN's Jim Spellman reports on a mobile medical marijuana clinic traveling to rural Colorado towns.

Converted trailers help rural residents get medical marijuanaupdated: Thu Feb 10 2011 13:48:00

A rodeo cowboy with a bum shoulder, a middle-aged woman who has trouble sleeping and a handful of snowboarders are all crowded around a shiny aluminum trailer on a sunny winter day. Some clutch X-rays, others look around nervously hoping a neighbor won't spot them as they wait in line for a medical marijuana prescription.

Virginia seeks quick review of health care reform challengeupdated: Thu Feb 10 2011 09:51:00

Virginia officials have asked the Supreme Court for an expedited review of the sweeping health care reform law, saying the issue is too important to delay consideration of the legislation's constitutionality.

Senate blocks health care repealupdated: Thu Feb 03 2011 06:20:00

Senate Democrats block Republican efforts to repeal the 2010 health care reform act.

Federal judge tosses out sweeping health care reform actupdated: Tue Feb 01 2011 10:57:00

A federal judge in Florida has tossed out the sweeping health care reform law championed by President Barack Obama, setting up what is likely to be a contentious Supreme Court challenge over the legislation in coming months.

Smoking may raise breast cancer riskupdated: Mon Jan 24 2011 23:01:00

Women who smoke have an increased risk of developing breast cancer, especially if they become smokers early in life, a new study suggests.

CNNMoney: Health care fraud crackdown nets $4 billionupdated: Mon Jan 24 2011 12:12:00

The government collected a whopping $4 billion last year -- the largest sum ever recovered in a single year -- through its health care fraud prevention and enforcement efforts, according to a new report Monday.

GOP hopeful for health care revampupdated: Thu Jan 20 2011 16:00:00

After a House vote to repeal health care legislation, Republicans plan to push for a 'patient centered' approach.

House to begin work on health care law substituteupdated: Thu Jan 20 2011 16:00:00

House Republicans stepped up their campaign against President Obama's health care overhaul Thursday, voting to begin drafting a measure to replace the controversial new law.

China clouded in cigarette smokeupdated: Fri Jan 07 2011 02:35:00

When I first came to China 39 years ago, airlines distributed cigarettes free of charge during flights. Hotel rooms were invariably furnished with free packs of cigarettes. At meetings and conferences, filter-tipped cigarettes were standard features on the podium alongside writing pads, pencils and ashtrays. Non-smoking cars were unheard of on trains.

CNNMoney: Health care repeal's cost: $230 billion to deficitupdated: Thu Jan 06 2011 16:14:00

It's one of the promises on which House Republicans campaigned: If elected, we will repeal health care reform.

GOP targets health care lawupdated: Thu Jan 06 2011 13:00:00

Republicans intend to take down the new health care law, but is their reasoning justified? Anderson Cooper reports.

Analysis: Health care repeal will cost $230 billionupdated: Thu Jan 06 2011 13:00:00

Legislation being pushed by House Republicans to repeal President Barack Obama's health care overhaul will add $230 billion to the federal debt by 2021, according to an analysis released Thursday by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Democrats dismiss GOP health care repeal pushupdated: Wed Jan 05 2011 05:36:00

Top Democrats are dismissing Republicans' plans to ram a repeal of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul through the House of Representatives in the opening days of the new Congress, portraying the move as little more than a hollow nod to the GOP's conservative base.

Spain enacts anti-smoking lawupdated: Sun Jan 02 2011 12:03:00

Spain says "adios" to smoke in bars. CNN's Al Goodman reports.

Docs: There are still no 'death panels'updated: Tue Dec 28 2010 12:04:00

New Medicare regulations that reimburse doctors for discussing end-of-life options renews "death panel" fears.

Why end-of-life planning is smart, necessaryupdated: Tue Dec 28 2010 12:04:00

Thinking about death can be frightening, no matter your age or medical condition. As we get older, the reality of our own mortality tends to come into clearer focus; this doesn't make talking about death or life-sustaining treatments any less frightening though.

Health care challenge about politics, not policyupdated: Wed Dec 15 2010 06:19:00

It's very likely that you will see a lot in the news about Republicans' opposition to the individual mandate and their challenge of the constitutionality of health care reform in the next few weeks. The individual mandate is the Obama health care reform law's requirement -- ruled unconstitutional by a judge Monday -- that all Americans obtain insurance.

Holder, Sebelius defend health care reform law after judge's rulingupdated: Tue Dec 14 2010 07:39:00

One day after a Virginia federal judge ruled a key part of President Barack Obama's health care reform law was unconstitutional, two members of Obama's administration spoke out publicly defending the law.

Health reform ruled unconstitutionalupdated: Tue Dec 14 2010 07:39:00

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli talks about his position on an insurance mandate with CNN's John King.

Surgeon General report: Tobacco smoke does immediate damageupdated: Thu Dec 09 2010 12:40:00

Even occasional smoking or secondhand smoke causes immediate damage to one's organs and poses risk of serious illness or death, the U.S. Surgeon General said in a new report released Thursday.

Dying at home, surrounded by familyupdated: Wed Dec 08 2010 12:43:00

Elizabeth Edwards died Tuesday, after doctors had told her further cancer treatment would be "unproductive." She was at home, surrounded by people who loved her.

Elizabeth Edwards dies at 61updated: Wed Dec 08 2010 12:43:00

After a hard-fought battle with breast cancer, Elizabeth Edwards passed away on Tuesday. CNN's Anderson Cooper reports.

Latest court ruling adds to conflict over health care reformupdated: Wed Dec 01 2010 15:11:00

Another federal judge has upheld the legality of the sweeping health care reform requirement that most Americans purchase health insurance by 2014.

Pence: Medicare cuts are on the tableupdated: Wed Nov 24 2010 09:56:00

Indiana Rep. Mike Pence says he's willing to consider cuts to Medicare and Medicaid to help balance the budget.

Medical marijuana shops face banning in unincorporated L.A. Countyupdated: Tue Nov 23 2010 20:56:00

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors took a major step Tuesday toward banning medical marijuana dispensaries in the county's unincorporated areas.

Arizona voters approve medical marijuana lawupdated: Mon Nov 15 2010 17:51:00

Almost two weeks after polls closed, Arizona voters have approved a medical marijuana law, state officials said Monday.

Arizona voters approve medical marijuana measureupdated: Sun Nov 14 2010 12:57:00

By a narrow margin of about 4,300 votes, Arizona voters approved a ballot measure that would legalize medical marijuana, state election officials said Sunday.

Medical marijuana 101updated: Sun Nov 14 2010 12:57:00

Dr. Melvyn Sterling talks with CNN's Ali Velshi about the pros and cons of medical marijuana.

Daschle: Health care repeal possible?updated: Mon Nov 08 2010 12:15:00

Fmr. Senate leader Tom Daschle says repeal of health care reform isn't an option, despite big Republican midterm gains.

GOP won't deal, health care law won't changeupdated: Mon Nov 08 2010 12:15:00

I'm going to get personal here. On the day that health care reform passed its final vote in the House, I posted on my blog a comment titled "Waterloo."

CNNMoney: Health reform's side effect: Scamsupdated: Mon Oct 25 2010 08:15:00

Fraud experts say health insurance scams are on the rise as criminals quickly exploit consumers' confusion about how the new health care law changes their insurance coverage.

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