Medicaid Could Cover Transgender Surgery In New York (UPDATED)

This could help cut costs for mental health and drug abuse treatment.

“The reason the AMA said this is medically necessary is if the transgender can’t get services they need to live in the gender they are it leads to depression, suicide attempts, substance abuse,” said Ross Levi, executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda, which advocates for gay and transgender rights. The cost would be a tiny part of the Medicaid budget, a fraction of a percent, and overall could provide a net cost savings, he said.

The proposal says: “Provide Medicaid coverage for transgender surgery/hormone replacement therapy …

Oregon Parents Convicted Of Manslaughter For Choosing Prayer Over Medical Help For Child

Dale and Shannon Hickman are members of Follower of Christ Church that believes God heals without medicine.

They were charged in 2009 when their son David died nine hours after he was born two months premature in a church center. An autopsy found he had underdeveloped lungs and staph pneumonia, The Oregonian reported.

Prosecutors argued that a simple trip to the hospital could have saved the infant’s life.

Lawyers for the Hickmans contended the parents didn’t know anything was wrong – and by the time the baby showed signs of distress, there wasn’t enough time to get him to the …

Let’s Not Forget About The CFPB

by Stuart Shapiro

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau received a great deal of attention when it appeared as if Elizabeth Warren would be its inaugural director.  However, Republicans threatened to filibuster Warren’s appointment and after having her oversee the creation of the agency, President Obama appointed Richard Cordray as the first Director.  All OK now that Warren has gone off to become a Senator?  Nope.

You’d think, having ousted Warren, the Republicans would get down to the people’s business. Think again. Now, the Party of No is refusing to confirm President Obama’s new nominee, Richard Cordray, unless the agency …

Wisconsin Activists Gearing Up For Recall Of Governor Walker

Submited by Obewon

Wisconsin Recall Task force deciding on most effective strategy…

On Friday’s Radio Show…

• Republican presidential candidate and former Gov. Gary Johnson (R-NM) tells Alan why he’s concerned that a U.S.-born terrorist was killed without due process.

• Alan speaks with Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), one of 20 House Democrats requesting an ethics probe of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

• The Muslims are Coming! Comedians Negin Farsad and Dean Obeidallah discuss their comedy tour of Middle America.…

Newt Gingrich: Repeal Of DADT Shows Obama’s “Anti-Military Prejudice”

To a soldier who complained about the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t tell:

GINGRICH: I was underwhelmed when [Secretary of Defense] Leon Panetta proudly announced that 97 percent of the troops have now gone through sensitivity training. Somehow, that’s not why I thought we recruited people to be on active duty. ... Read more » You have to start with the idea that this is an administration of extraordinary anti-military prejudice, that just hides it, okay? I mean, this president is not a commander in chief in any normal sense, he is a politician in chief.

…

Sickening Right-Wing Attack On Elizabeth Warren

Elizabeth Warren’s viral take-down of anti-tax conservative was just too much for many of them.  The concept is that every single tax is a form of rape, and that creates a repulsive parody of Warren’s arguments.

…

Ron Paul Condemns White House For Killing Al-Awlaki; Gary Johnson Raises Questions

Republican presidential candidate says the killing of Anwar al-Awlaki is an assassination.

Paul warned the American people not to casually accept such violence against U.S. citizens, even those with strong ties to terrorism.

Fellow candidate Gary Johnson also raises questions.

“Let there be no doubt. We have to be vigilant, we have to protect the U.S. and U. S. citizens from terrorist attacks, and we have to aggressively pursue those who would do us harm. At the same time we cannot allow the War on Terror to diminish our steadfast adherence to the notion of due process for …

Center For Constitutional Rights Condemns Targeted Assassination Of U.S.-Born Al-Awlaki

The Center for Constitutional Rights had challenged the right to target a U.S. citizen for assassination in federal court.

“The assassination of Anwar Al-Awlaki by American drone attacks is the latest of many affronts to domestic and international law,” said Vince Warren, Executive Director of the Center for Constitutional Rights. “The targeted assassination program that started under President Bush and expanded under the Obama Administration essentially grants the executive the power to kill any U.S. citizen deemed a threat, without any judicial oversight, or any of the rights afforded by our Constitution. If we allow such gross overreaches of power …

Sixth-Grader Who Asked Chris Christie For Campaign Advice Loses Election

Submitted by William

Zach Martini doesn’t have New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to thank after losing his bid to be elected the student council.

At a town hall meeting in Union Township earlier this month, Zack asked Christie for “tips” about how to run his campaign for the student council. The governor responded with four pieces of advice: Make colorful signs, ask people for your vote, find friends to campaign for you, and don’t make promises you can’t keep..

Zack used the governor’s input. He put up big signs, asked his friends for their vote and gave his own stump …

Get Ready For Debit Card Fees

Submitted by Airedepalaz

Bank of America begins charging $5 a month; will others follow?…