SELECTIONS FROM PR NEWSWIRE'S PUBLIC INTEREST NEWS FEED

LEFT & RIGHT AGREE HEALTH CARE MANDATE SHOULD BE KILLED; Passage Would Be Victory for Insurance Companies; Unprecedented Left/Right Coalition Representing Millions Sends Letter to Congress Calling for Defeat

Today, more than 40 groups running the political spectrum from the far left to the far right sent a letter to Members of Congress opposing the centerpiece provision of the health care bill, an individual mandate to purchase insurance at threat of prosecution and fines. "The bedfellows couldn't be any stranger," said Kathryn Serkes, Co-Chair of the Doctor Patient Medical Association (DPMA), one of the signatories "When politicos as divergent as Grover Norquist and Phyllis Schlafly agree with Bob Fertik of Democrats.com, it's time for Congress to listen." Full release.

Hispanic Groups Urge Congress To Vote No On The Health Care Legislation

Hispanic groups wrote a second letter to congressional leaders to raise their concerns about provisions in the current health care bill that negatively targets minority communities. They believe that the current legislation will have a disproportionately negative impact on low-income minority groups and will lead to Medicare cuts for Hispanic seniors, increase in taxes for Hispanic small businesses and reduced wages for Hispanic workers. Congress has failed to listen to their concerns. Hispanic companies, driven by small businesses, are among the fastest-growing business segments in the United States, growing more than three times faster than the national average. Full release.

Students Seek Affordable Alternatives in Wake of Education Budget Cuts

As a result of the current recession, over 39 states have cut or are proposing to cut their education budgets or face massive deficits. Unlike the federal government, most states are required to balance their general fund budgets. Since education is the largest component of state budgets, averaging around 46%, it is typically the first area legislators look to cut during a budget crisis. Cuts have been especially deep in the higher education sector. To address the budget shortfall, states have been forced to lay off teachers, reduce course offerings and further increase skyrocketing tuition. Full release.

APHA Urges House to Approve Health Reform

The American Public Health Association today urged members of the U.S. House of Representatives to support the health reform legislation and related reconciliation improvements that will come to the House floor for a vote in the coming days. "Congress has the opportunity to do what has eluded our grasp for nearly a century," said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E), executive director of APHA. "Passing this measure will strengthen our public health system, invest in prevention, improve the health of the American people and move us closer to providing comprehensive and affordable health coverage for all Americans. If not now, when?" Full release.

Buying Votes for Health Care Bill With Amnesty for Illegal Aliens

President Obama, yesterday, succeeded in winning the Congressional Hispanic Caucus's endorsement of his health care reform legislation by pledging to push an overwhelmingly unpopular amnesty plan for millions of illegal aliens. In this apparent quid pro quo, the president's promise to push amnesty in 2010 came just hours after members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus promised their support for the health care reform bill. The announcement also coincided with the release of an outline for amnesty legislation authored by Senators Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). Full release.

The Ground Zero Settlement Agreement and the Zadroga Bill: What Choices Are There to Make?

Since the Settlement Agreement was announced with the City of New York in Court on March 12, 2010, we have had a number of clients ask questions related to the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2009 (introduced in the Senate under S. 1334 and in the House under H. 847). Mainly, the questions have focused on how the Settlement Process Agreement (the SPA) affect the Zadroga Bill and what rights, if any, do I lose by accepting the Settlement? Full release.

Rep. Fattah Says Student College Loan Reform as Part of Healthcare Bill is "a Win-Win of Historic Proportions"

Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) praised landmark student college loan reform and retention aid, including $36 billion for the popular Pell Grant scholarships, as part of the budget measure, which includes healthcare reform, slated for a vote in the House on Sunday. "This is a win-win of historic proportions," Fattah said. "We are on the verge of delivering, with a single vote, long-overdue comprehensive healthcare reform and dramatic improvement in the way that millions of students are able to pay for their college education. "I will be joining the overwhelming majority of Democrats in the House and the Senate in casting the most important domestic policy vote in a generation," Fattah said. "We are going to get this done." Full release.

Tea Party Patriots Gather in Opposition to Government Takeover of Health Care

On the eve of the U.S. House of Representatives voting on a trillion-dollar government takeover of the health care system, the Tea Party Patriots will gather with coalition partners Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), FreedomWorks, Faith and Freedom Coalition, Institute for Liberty, Let Freedom Ring, 60 Plus, and many more to voice the concerns of millions of Americans. The Tea Party Patriots and its coalition partners will rally with Rep. Michele Bachman and actor John Voight, among others, before walking the halls of Congressional office buildings asking U.S. Congressmen to stand with their constituents and against the government takeover. Full release.

Should You Pay Traffic Tickets Issued by Speeding Ticket or Red Light Cameras?

Mr. Ticket's answer is a "conditional no." The question refers to the citation or photograph you receive in the mail informing you of a recorded violation in the case of a camera, VASCAR, or other mechanical evidence record. It is always in your best interest to fight traffic tickets. If you pay the citation by mail, it is construed as an admission of guilt and the maximum fine allowable by law is imposed. If you take your case to a traffic ticket attorney, there is a chance the court may downgrade the offense or dismiss traffic ticket violation without you having to even be present in court. Full release.

Scientists Identify Chemical in Bananas as Potent Inhibitor of HIV Infection

A potent new inhibitor of HIV, derived from bananas, may open the door to new treatments to prevent sexual transmission of HIV, according to a University of Michigan Medical School study published this week. Scientists have an emerging interest in lectins, naturally occurring chemicals in plants, because of their ability to halt the chain of reaction that leads to a variety of infections. In laboratory tests, BanLec, the lectin found in bananas, was as potent as two current anti-HIV drugs. Based on the findings published March 19 in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, BanLec may become a less expensive new component of applied vaginal microbicides, researchers say. Full release.