Schumer says he will work to block any effort in the Senate to significantly cut the CDC’s budget

Schumer says he will work to block any effort in the Senate to significantly cut the CDC’s budget

NEW YORK — The Senate’s top Democrat said Sunday he will work to block a plan that would significantly cut the proposed budget of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warning that such a spending reduction could endanger the public. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York told The Associated Press he would block … Read more

Germany seals 2025 budget plan after weeks of tense negotiations

Germany seals 2025 budget plan after weeks of tense negotiations

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz smiles during a question time on July 3, 2024 at the Bundestag (lower house of parliament) in Berlin. Ralf Hirschberger | Afp | Getty Images German government leaders on Friday agreed on an outline for the country’s 2025 budget after intense negotiations to bridge a gap worth billions of euros. “With this budget, we … Read more

Florida arts groups left in the lurch by DeSantis veto of state funding for theaters and museums

Florida arts groups left in the lurch by DeSantis veto of state funding for theaters and museums

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Coral Gables Art Cinema will be short more than $100,000 this year. About $150,000 has suddenly disappeared from the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra’s budget. The Miami New Drama also has an unexpected $150,000 budget hole. Across Florida, arts groups are scrambling after Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis unexpectedly vetoed $32 million in arts … Read more

US miners’ union head calls House Republican effort to block silica dust rule an ‘attack’ on workers

US miners’ union head calls House Republican effort to block silica dust rule an ‘attack’ on workers

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The head of the national mine workers’ union on Friday condemned what he characterized as an effort by House Republicans to block enforcement of a long-awaited federal rule directed at curbing workers’ exposure to poisonous, deadly rock dust, calling it “a direct attack on the health and safety of coal miners.” United … Read more

California Democrats agree to delay health care worker minimum wage increase to help balance budget

California Democrats agree to delay health care worker minimum wage increase to help balance budget

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Democrats in California have agreed to delay a minimum wage increase for about 426,000 health care workers to help balance the state’s budget. The agreement between Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders is part of a larger plan to close an estimated $46.8 billion shortfall — the second year in a row … Read more

Florida medical marijuana patients get an unexpected email praising DeSantis

Florida medical marijuana patients get an unexpected email praising DeSantis

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida has more than 700,000 medical marijuana patients and Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis — who is battling a proposal to allow recreational use of marijuana — wants them all to know what a great job he’s doing. The Department of Health last week sent a blast email to its medical marijuana patient … Read more

As Social Security faces fund depletion, plans for reform commission spur debate

As Social Security faces fund depletion, plans for reform commission spur debate

zimmytws | iStock | Getty Images A protester interrupted a January congressional committee hearing to consider a bill that would create a bipartisan commission to address Social Security. “A vote for a commission is a vote to cut Social Security,” the man shouted before he was escorted off the floor. While there was a protest … Read more

With 1 out of 3 Californians on Medicaid, doctors push ballot measure to force state to pay more

With 1 out of 3 Californians on Medicaid, doctors push ballot measure to force state to pay more

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom last year agreed to a tax increase that aimed to do two things: Help balance a budget with a multibillion-dollar shortfall, and pay doctors more money to treat patients covered by Medicaid — the taxpayer-funded health insurance program for people with low incomes that now covers one out … Read more

California governor criticized for proposal to eliminate health benefit for some disabled immigrants

California governor criticized for proposal to eliminate health benefit for some disabled immigrants

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed he would not fix the state’s budget deficit by taking away health insurance from low-income adults living in the country without legal permission, calling the state’s policy “something I believe in.” But Newsom would eliminate an important health benefit for some low-income immigrants with disabilities, angering his … Read more

Delaware lawmakers OK bill enabling board of political appointees to oversee hospital budgets

Delaware lawmakers OK bill enabling board of political appointees to oversee hospital budgets

DOVER, Del. — The state House on Tuesday gave final approval to a bill aimed at curtailing the increase in health care costs in Delaware by establishing a state board with authority to impose budgets on the state’s largest hospitals. The legislation passed the House on a 24-16 vote with two Democrats joining Republicans in … Read more