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Lawmakers Spar Over Health Reform
As the Senate Finance Committee prepares to unveil a health overhaul proposal this week, key players have been weighing in on aspects of potential legislation.
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Supreme Court Nominees Should Disclose Views On Constitutional Issues, USA Today Opinion Piece States
One thing that "has been conspicuously absent" from the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor is "substance," Jonathan Turley, the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University, writes in a USA Today opinion piece. According to Turley, "The vast majority of questions and answers remained on a shallow and predictable level where Sotomayor did little more than describe current doctrines and case law -- avoiding disclosures of her own views." He continues, "What is most striking is how Sotomayor"s statements were virtually identical to both her conservative and liberal predecessors," including her comments that Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey are "the precedent of the court."Turley writes, "The content-light character in these hearings is largely the product of the "Ginsburg rule" -- named after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who refused to answer questions in her 1993 confirmation hearing about any case or matter upon which she might later vote." According to Turley, "Later nominees for both parties have relied on the Ginsburg rule to turn the hearings into prolonged photo-ops for senators, who largely ask wafer-thin questions to solicit largely scripted answers." The rule "allows nominees to get by with meaningless sound bites that promise to respect precedent, the Framers [of the Constitution] and collegiality in general," he adds. Furthermore, it "tells the public nothing about a nominee"s philosophy or purpose before giving her life tenure on the world"s most powerful court," Turley writes.According to Turley, there is a "simple solution to returning substance to the confirmation process: End the Ginsburg rule by insisting that nominees answer questions about their specific views on constitutional rights." Although "the current system works well for presidents, nominees and senators," it "does little for the public or the system of justice," he writes (Turley, USA Today, 7/16).
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Diabetologists Sound Caution Over Extended Role Of New Drugs
The Association of British Clinical Diabetologists cautioned against indiscriminate use of new classes of medication for Britain"s increasing number of people with diabetes.
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Men Can Confront Sexual Health Issues Using NHS Direct's New Symptom Checker, UK

Men can now take control of their sexual health and confront any concerns without embarrassment using NHS Direct"s new on-line symptom checker. The symptom checker, which will be available at http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk from 15 June, is suitable for all males over the age of 12 and covers problems with the penis, testicles and genital area. Pain, swelling, injury and infection are just some of the areas covered. Sensitive topics, which may be difficult to talk about, are also covered such as sexual assault or abuse and sexual dysfunction. The symptom checker works by asking the user a series of questions. Depending of the information provided, it may suggest a number of options including: a visit to a GP, (either routinely or urgently), A&E or a sexual health (GUM) clinic, or to seek further advice from a pharmacist. In some cases, a further assessment can be suggested, with a call back from an NHS Direct nurse advisor. The user can choose to remain anonymous for the call back. Users could be given advice that enables them to treat themselves at home. In these cases, instructions are always given explaining what to do if the problem persists or worsens. NHS Direct is a partner in National Men"s Health Week (commencing 15 June), which is focused on improving men"s access to health services. The male sexual health symptom checker is key to improving men"s engagement with sexual health issues, enabling NHS Direct to reach men who may be less comfortable using the telephone or talking about sensitive issues face-to-face. Helen Young, NHS Direct Clinical Director and Chief Nurse, says: "NHS Direct is delighted to be partnering Men"s Health Week, helping to raise the level of awareness amongst men about the range of health services available. NHS Direct is for everyone and it"s important that our services are easily accessible and appealing to a male audience too." NHS Direct deals with fewer men than women - 40 per cent of callers to NHS Direct are male, while around 20 per cent of the calls specifically about sexual health are from men. Last month, 30 per cent of online enquires on all subjects were initiated by men. The most common enquiries received from male callers are: dental, abdominal pain and rashes. Common subjects of enquiry specifically relating to sexual health include rectal bleeding, urinary retention and penile pain or swelling. Helen Young adds: "Sexual health is unfortunately often a low priority for men and the subject can be viewed as embarrassing and uncomfortable to talk about. The new symptom checker encourages men to take the reins when it comes to their concerns and seek confidential advice. It"s vitally important that anyone with a concern about their sexual health seeks advice at the earliest opportunity. Often problems can be dealt with easily if picked up early but the longer something is left the more chance there is of further complications." The new symptom checker has been developed to reflect the same protocols used by NHS Direct"s telephone advisors, making it much more effective than other self help guides and symptom checkers that are not integrated with NHS Direct contact centres. Notes - NHS Direct handles over 25,000 calls a day. That"s over 9 million calls a year. - The NHS Direct Online website (http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk) receives around 21 million visits a year. - NHS Direct employs over 3,500 staff, over 1,100 of who are trained nurses. National Men"s Health Week begins on 15 June and this year"s theme is Men and Services. The week is run by Men"s Health Forum http://www.menshealthforum.org.uk. NHS Direct


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