A look at today’s science and health policy news:
States Look to Rein In Private Medicare Plans
N.Y. Times–State officials say they will soon ask Congress for more power to regulate the marketing of private insurance.
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Coal users trying to redirect Congress on global warming
The Hill–A new group of lobbyists is attempting to redirect the momentum to curb green house gas emissions to pay for expensive new federal spending programs.
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Some Senate Republicans Want Renewable-Fuels Waiver
National Journal–Two dozen Senate Republicans Friday sent a letter to EPA Administrator Johnson asking him to consider waiving all or parts of a renewable-fuels mandate Congress.
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Report on NASA ignites call for credit card crackdown
Houston Chronicle–Supporters of a bill meant to curb government credit card abuse called for stricter sanctions against employees who misuse the cards at gov. agencies.
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Trapped sea lions shot on Columbia River
L.A. Times–Federally protected sea lions were shot and killed as they lay in traps meant to humanely catch them.
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New renewable darling puts on the pressure
Politico–Cellulosic fuel, emerging as the new darling of renewable fuels, is not-so-subtly pressuring the ethanol lobby to pick a favorite: corn or cellulosic biofuels.
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Green energy means more work for lobbyists
Politico–Green energy lobbying firms are emerging as major players on the Congressional scene.
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Caution urged in choosing gene tests
A.P.–Everyone’s genes spell out a risk for some disease, and a coming anti-discrimination law is about to give genetic testing a boost.
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Scientists: Warming may greatest threat to tropical species
A.P.–While global warming is expected to be strongest at the poles, it may be an even greater threat to species living in the tropics, scientists say.
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Climate change now on corporate radars
Politico–Suddenly, climate change has exploded onto the agenda of corporate America.
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Uranium claims spring up along Grand Canyon rim
L.A. Times–A rush to extract uranium on public lands pits environmentalists against mining companies.
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Are There Missing Pieces to the Human Genome Project?
Scientific American–A new study finds up to 250 regions where the reference genome sequenced over 13 years may be missing information.
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Vegetable oil fuels cars — and tax bills
L.A. Times–Drivers who use cooking grease to run their diesel vehicles often don’t realize they’re supposed to obtain permits and pay a state tax on each gallon.
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Google Ends Microsoft’s Yahoo Search
N.Y. Times–Microsoft and Yahoo were pushed to the brink of a multibillion-dollar marriage and then to a sudden breakup this weekend by the same player.
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Blood Pressure Is Most Lethal in Poor and Middle-Income Countries
N.Y. Times–A new study has found that about 80 percent of the world’s deaths from high blood pressure occur in poor and middle-income countries.
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Suit filed to block Medi-Cal rate cuts
S.F. Gate–An influential coalition of health care organizations sued the state of California Monday to block a 10 percent cut in Medi-Cal rates set to take effect this summer.
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A Woman, a Village and a War on Plastic Bags
Washington Post–An English woman launched an effort to stem the use of plastic bags.
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U.S. crude oil sets new record above $120 a barrel
A.P.–U.S. crude oil futures rose to a new record high for a second day on Tuesday, with crude oil futures for June delivery touching a record of $120.70 a barrel.
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