That there has been an elevated level of interest in health care and health insurance across the country should come as no surprise. So it could be expected that 2008 brought an unusually large amount of legislation activity to the issues, clearly led on by public persuasion.
On the food front, California became the first state to ban the use of trans fats in restaurants. Under the law, all businesses classified as food facilities will be required to stop using shortenings and oils containing trans fats. Then in May, McDonalds announced they would stop using trans fatty oils in their french fries and baked goods in all of their restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. And finally chocolate got a good rap. It was determined that dark chocolate does have health benefits, including lower blood pressure and better blood circulation.
On the state level there was much activity. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, after pushing aggressively for a comprehensive health care reform, vetoed legislation that would have provided a single payer system. It was his second veto in three years of a similar plan. Across the country in Florida, Governor Charlie Crist was able to pass a law that will provide residents with affordable coverage through a new Florida health insurance program. Meanwhile, Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle axed the state's universal health insurance program for children, due to budget constraints. And in Massachusetts, due to skyrocketing costs, lawmakers were forced to raise premiums for the state-subsidized health insurance program.
During the 2008 Presidential campaign, Barack Obama committed to making health care reform one of his top priorities. As the President-elect, he moved swiftly in that direction, naming former U.S. Senator Tom Daschle as his choice to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Daschle has long considered health care to be of greatest importance. U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy relinquished his seat on the Senate Judiciary committee in order to work on a comprehensive health care plan, stating that, "This is the opportunity of a lifetime."
Federally, a law was passed that prohibits discrimination based on genetic information received by health insurance companies. And the health insurance industry also agreed to support a universal health insurance mandate which would include a plan that would prohibit denial of coverage to any person with pre-existing conditions. So 2008 was a very active year for health care and health insurance. That says something about the importance of the subject in the minds of the American people.
On the food front, California became the first state to ban the use of trans fats in restaurants. Under the law, all businesses classified as food facilities will be required to stop using shortenings and oils containing trans fats. Then in May, McDonalds announced they would stop using trans fatty oils in their french fries and baked goods in all of their restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. And finally chocolate got a good rap. It was determined that dark chocolate does have health benefits, including lower blood pressure and better blood circulation.
On the state level there was much activity. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, after pushing aggressively for a comprehensive health care reform, vetoed legislation that would have provided a single payer system. It was his second veto in three years of a similar plan. Across the country in Florida, Governor Charlie Crist was able to pass a law that will provide residents with affordable coverage through a new Florida health insurance program. Meanwhile, Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle axed the state's universal health insurance program for children, due to budget constraints. And in Massachusetts, due to skyrocketing costs, lawmakers were forced to raise premiums for the state-subsidized health insurance program.
During the 2008 Presidential campaign, Barack Obama committed to making health care reform one of his top priorities. As the President-elect, he moved swiftly in that direction, naming former U.S. Senator Tom Daschle as his choice to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Daschle has long considered health care to be of greatest importance. U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy relinquished his seat on the Senate Judiciary committee in order to work on a comprehensive health care plan, stating that, "This is the opportunity of a lifetime."
Federally, a law was passed that prohibits discrimination based on genetic information received by health insurance companies. And the health insurance industry also agreed to support a universal health insurance mandate which would include a plan that would prohibit denial of coverage to any person with pre-existing conditions. So 2008 was a very active year for health care and health insurance. That says something about the importance of the subject in the minds of the American people.
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