Health care dispute: Are “defensive medicine” and malpractice insurance driving costs?

Health care dispute: Costs of defensive medicine

Ariz. Supreme Court says state’s public records law requires disclosure of ‘metadata’

Ariz. court rules records law covers ‘metadata’

Longtime Arizona newspaper publisher Donovan Kramer Sr. dies at age 84

Longtime Arizona newspaper publisher dies at 84

Interpol seeks visa-free travel for its investigators

SINGAPORE — The global police organization Interpol began issuing special passports Tuesday to its senior investigators, aimed at allowing them to enter any of the group’s 188 member countries without visas.

INSIDE WASHINGTON: GOP using health care battle to solicit campaign donations from doctors

The Republican Party is harnessing the furious debate over health care to raise campaign cash from doctors, dangling the promise of including donors’ names in advertising that attacks President Barack Obama’s overhaul plan.

Group of political scientists say US prestige declined dramatically in past decade

WASHINGTON — The United States’ standing in the world declined in the past decade to below Cold War levels, according to a leading group of political scientists.

Organizations to kickoff campaign targeting drug, alcohol abuse by teens in military families

WASHINGTON — Concerned about drug and alcohol use among teens in military families, three organizations are undertaking an online educational campaign on Wednesday to encourage parents and children to talk about substance abuse.

SPIN METER: Ballyhooed in May, health industry pledge to save $2 trillion seems forgotten

WASHINGTON — It was a watershed moment in the health care struggle: Leaders of the insurance, hospital and other medical industries stood with President Barack Obama at the White House and promised steps to save $2 trillion over the next decade.

Plastic decomposes at sea, releasing potentially dangerous chemicals, report says

WASHINGTON — Environmentalists have long denounced plastic as a long-lasting pollutant that doesn’t break down. A new study indicates that, in the oceans, plastic does decompose, but says that’s not a good thing either.

Obama relies on some special interests, assails others in fight over his health care overhaul

WASHINGTON — As public pitchman, President Barack Obama accuses special interests of fighting to block his health care overhaul. “They run their ads. And let’s face it, they scare people,” he told one weekend audience.

Shares of homebuilders rise as pace of single-family home construction edges up for 5th month

NEW YORK — Shares of homebuilders advanced Tuesday after a report showed construction of new homes rose for the fifth straight month, while shareholders approved a takeover of Centex Corp. by rival homebuilder Pulte Homes Inc.

Foes of Venezuela’s Chavez charge proposed education bill aims to indoctrinating youngsters

CARACAS, Venezuela — Hundreds protested outside Venezuela’s legislature Tuesday against an education bill that they charge will open the way for President Hugo Chavez’s government to indoctrinate children with socialist ideology.

FACT CHECK: No ‘death panel’, but gov’t would pay for voluntary sessions on end-of-life care

WASHINGTON — Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin says the health care overhaul bill would set up a “death panel.” Federal bureaucrats would play God, ruling on whether ailing seniors are worth enough to society to deserve life-sustaining medical care. Palin and other critics are wrong.

Medicare would pay for voluntary counseling sessions on end-of-life care

WASHINGTON —Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin says the health care overhaul bill would set up a “death panel.” Federal bureaucrats would play God, ruling on whether ailing seniors are worth enough to society to deserve life-sustaining medical care. Palin and other critics are wrong.

American Medical Association endorses House Democrats’ bill to overhaul health care

CHICAGO — The American Medical Association on Thursday endorsed a liberal health overhaul bill that includes a public insurance option, a bold step for a traditionally conservative group with a checkered past on health reforms.

American Bar Association finds Sotomayor well qualified to serve on Supreme Court

WASHINGTON — Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor earned a “well-qualified” rating from the American Bar Association on Tuesday as she prepared for Senate hearings next week.

Obama urges health care system overhaul, says too many remain uncovered, system too complex

CHICAGO — President Barack Obama has made another strong pitch for overhauling the U.S. health care system, calling it “a ticking bomb for the federal budget.”