The Unsung, But Massive Obamacare Sales Tax Increase That Is On the Way

"In 2014, Obamacare will take effect, with many of the changes set to roll out over the next six months. There are a number of new taxes that the ACA will bring- twenty one to be exact- but the sales tax on the purchase of health insurance is by far the largest. The tax increases that remain on the books will cost taxpayers more than $675 billion over the next ten years. Chief among these will be the sales tax on the purchase of health insurance, totaling $101.7 billion, and making it larger than all the other industry-specific taxes combined." Continue reading

Continue ReadingThe Unsung, But Massive Obamacare Sales Tax Increase That Is On the Way

Anti-anxiety drug pollution makes fish fearless and antisocial

"Anti-anxiety drugs find their way into wastewater where they make fish more fearless and antisocial, with potentially serious ecological consequences, researchers said Thursday. Sientists examining perch exposed to the sedative Oxazepam — which, like many medications, passes through the human body — found that it made them more likely to leave their school and strike out on their own. With the use of such drugs on the rise, in Sweden and elsewhere, the researchers said the changes in the fish could be a global phenomenon, adding that more research is necessary before broad-based conclusions can be drawn." Continue reading

Continue ReadingAnti-anxiety drug pollution makes fish fearless and antisocial

Wheels coming off Obamacare

"The central parts of ObamaCare don’t roll out until 2014, but the wheels are already falling off this clunker. The latest news from four federal agencies is that 1) insurance will be a lot less affordable than Americans were led to expect, 2) fewer people than promised will get insurance and 3) millions of people who have coverage through a job now will lose it, thanks to the president’s 'reforms.' Oh, and children are the biggest victims. The Affordable Care Act is looking less and less affordable." Continue reading

Continue ReadingWheels coming off Obamacare

Veterans Administration again accused of covering up the causes of ‘Gulf War Syndrome’

"An alarming but widely-ignored report by a federal panel of high-level scientists charged with advising the government on the disease accused the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs of covering up the true nature and cause of a profound systemic illness that medical scientists have traced to wartime exposures — including neurotoxins, depleted uranium, and microbes, among others. The culprits, the committee claims, are bureaucrats in the Veterans’ Administration Office of Public Health, whose coordination of a robust strategic plan for Gulf War Illness (on which RAC had consulted) has 'gutted' science, 'focus,' 'energy,' and budgetary resources." Continue reading

Continue ReadingVeterans Administration again accused of covering up the causes of ‘Gulf War Syndrome’

Genetically engineered virus kills cancer

"A genetically-engineered virus tested in 30 terminally-ill liver cancer patients significantly prolonged their lives, killing tumours and inhibiting the growth of new ones, scientists reported on Sunday. Sixteen patients given a high dose of the therapy survived for 14.1 months on average, compared to 6.7 months for the 14 who got the low dose. Pexa-Vec has been engineered from the vaccinia virus, which has been used as a vaccine for decades, including in the eradication of smallpox." Continue reading

Continue ReadingGenetically engineered virus kills cancer

Bereaved son billed $800 for late city ambulance that failed to save his father

"The bill for $780.85 stems from Ford’s call to DC Fire & EMS (DCFEMS) on New Year’s Eve when his father, 71-year-old Durand Ford Sr., began having problems breathing. Records show the younger Ford called 911 at 1:25 a.m. that night. But while the fire department dispatched a vehicle to his house nine minutes later, no ambulances were available. DCFEMS officials called for assistance from Prince George County, more than seven miles away, 22 minutes later. A medical unit from Prince George County arrived at Ford’s home at 1:58 a.m., by which point the elder Ford had died." Continue reading

Continue ReadingBereaved son billed $800 for late city ambulance that failed to save his father

Bereaved son billed $800 for late city ambulance that failed to save his father

"The bill for $780.85 stems from Ford’s call to DC Fire & EMS (DCFEMS) on New Year’s Eve when his father, 71-year-old Durand Ford Sr., began having problems breathing. Records show the younger Ford called 911 at 1:25 a.m. that night. But while the fire department dispatched a vehicle to his house nine minutes later, no ambulances were available. DCFEMS officials called for assistance from Prince George County, more than seven miles away, 22 minutes later. A medical unit from Prince George County arrived at Ford’s home at 1:58 a.m., by which point the elder Ford had died." Continue reading

Continue ReadingBereaved son billed $800 for late city ambulance that failed to save his father

The government has your baby’s DNA

"Newborn babies in the United States are routinely screened for a panel of genetic diseases. Since the testing is mandated by the government, it's often done without the parents' consent. In many states, such as Florida, where Isabel was born, babies' DNA is stored indefinitely. Many parents don't realize their baby's DNA is being stored in a government lab, but sometimes when they find out, as the Browns did, they take action. Parents in Texas, and Minnesota have filed lawsuits, and these parents' concerns are sparking a new debate about whether it's appropriate for a baby's genetic blueprint to be in the government's possession." Continue reading

Continue ReadingThe government has your baby’s DNA

Epileptic man mistaken for drug abuser beaten by Indianapolis police, lawsuit claims

"The man's sister, who works nearby, tried to advise officers that he was suffering from epilepsy and not under the influence of drugs, but the lawsuit says officers ignored her. Lynn was booked into jail on charges of resisting arrest, public intoxication and a felony count of disarming a police officer. Lynn's lawyer wrote that he never knowingly tried to grab the officer's Taser during the struggle, and the charges against Lynn were dismissed on Nov. 28, 2012. His lawsuit alleges false arrest, assault, false imprisonment and excessive force by the IMPD officers." Continue reading

Continue ReadingEpileptic man mistaken for drug abuser beaten by Indianapolis police, lawsuit claims