Documents: The health care reform bill
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AC360º
The House Committees on Education and Labor, Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce are working on developing a health care reform bill, H.R. 3200 entitled the American Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009. The bill is currently being amended by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where it will remain before being voted on by the full House of Representatives.
View the current full text of the bill here: H.R. 3200
Track the bill's progress through Congress at www.govtrack.us
How to travel to rogue states (and other interesting places)
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Chris Guillebeau
AC360° Contributor
If you do enough traveling or are crazy enough to want to go everywhere, sooner or later you’ll encounter a few countries that aren’t especially known for being welcoming to travelers. Sadly, civil war, longstanding dictatorships, and massive corruption can be the norm in several parts of the world.
For the independent traveler, these countries present special challenges. Thankfully, most of the challenges can be overcome – at least so that you can go there and return safely.
THE BASICS
Let’s start with a couple of assumptions, followed by the principle that makes this kind of travel possible.
First, the assumptions:
1. You need $2 a day to go anywhere. Almost anyone who reads this can probably save $2 a day toward a travel destination of choice. Most people will probably not choose to put their pennies towards North Korea or Syria, but the cost shouldn't be your largest obstacle.
2. It helps to have a passport from a rich country.* If you are a citizen of a rich country or otherwise carry a rich country’s passport, it will be easier than if you live in a poor country. This is not required, but it does help with visas. FULL POST
Message from Laura Ling
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Laura Ling
LauraandEuna.com
Dear Friends,
While in detention in North Korea, isolated and scared, one of the things that gave me strength and sustained my faith was hearing about the groundswell of support for Euna and me. You were a part of this incredible movement and for that I will be forever thankful.
Through the letters that I was able to receive, I learned about the many beautiful vigils, the LauraAndEuna.com website, the petition, the Facebook group, and all the other grassroots efforts to bring us home. I am deeply humbled.
In times of extreme darkness and depression, I thought of all of the people, united together, sending us messages of love and hope. I envisioned the light of the candles at the vigils and it brightened my soul.
I would not be here today, home and free, re-united with my family (my sister is actually asleep on the couch right by my side), if not for the support from so many extraordinary people. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Words cannot adequately express my profound gratitude.
FBI aids inquiry into multiple deaths
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Program Note: For the latest on this mysterious string of deaths in North Carolina, tune in to AC360° tonight at 10p ET for our full report.
Thomasi McDonald
The News & Observer
A Rocky Mount police commander confirmed Monday that the FBI is assisting a local and state task force in connection with six women who have been the victims of unsolved killings since 2005.
"The FBI is being consulted for their expertise," said Rocky Mount Police Capt. Laura Fahne stock. Her agency, along with the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office and the State Bureau of Investigation, formed a task force after finding the remains late last month of Jarniece Latonya "Sunshine" Hargrove's body in a field off Seven Bridges Road in Battleboro, north of Rocky Mount.
Of the six women who have been killed - all black, some with a history of drug abuse and prostitution - five have been found dead and dumped in wooded areas along Seven Bridges Road.
Tonight: Text 360°
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AC360°
A new report released today by the Southern Poverty Law Center warns that militia groups with gripes against the government are regrouping across the country and could grow rapidly.
The report points to the stress of a “poor economy” and a “liberal administration” led by a black president as contributing factors to the recent rise. It also lists conspiracy theories like secret Mexican plans to reclaim the Southwest amid the public debate about illegal immigration.
How serious is this problem? Where are these active militias and who joins them? We'll be looking into this tonight. Do you have a question?
Let us know!
Send us a text message with your question. Text AC360 (or 22360), and you might hear it on air!
Financial Dispatch: The 401(k) makes a comeback
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Andrew Torgan
CNN Financial News Producer
For the first time in a year, more workers increased the amount of money they put into their 401(k) accounts during the second quarter than decreased their contributions, according to a report issued today by retirement fund manager Fidelity Investments.
Fidelity, which manages retirement savings plans for more than 11 million workers, said the number of people decreasing contributions had outnumbered those raising them for the previous three quarters - a period during which all the major stock indexes hit multi-year lows.
But in the second quarter, the average 401(k) account balance rose 13.5% to $53,900, Fidelity said. The increase was primarily driven by the rally on Wall Street, although higher worker and employer contributions also contributed to the rise, the company said.
Can digital health protect your privacy?
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David Goldman
CNNMoney.com
Digitizing health records. A good idea say most experts, but it will take a feat of policy, technology and education to ensure your records don't get into the wrong hands.
It all starts with one basic question: Who actually owns your health records?
"Right now, hospitals assume the liability, but the model has to shift to one where the patient controls the data and whether it is put online," said Dr. David Brailer, chairman of Health Evolution Partners and former health tech czar under President Bush. "The people who hold your data control your data."
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