Recently in President Barack Obama Category

Barry, you pose an interesting question.  I believe that end of life decisions should be made primarily between an individual and that individual's family and trusted advisors, including spiritual counselors.  An individual should certainly be able to consult his physician, if the individual so chooses.  I would imagine that most health care plans would cover an annual physical exam during which a person could consult with his physician. 

I do think it is inappropriate for the government to give physicians an incentive to initiate this conversation and mandate what should be covered in the counseling.  That could all too easily lead to a scenario where the federal government makes care decisions based on life expectancy.

And, now from the category... if at first you don't succeed, try, try again.  That's exactly what Michael Newdow, an atheist, and his fellow plaintiffs are doing - this time in a federal appeals court - this time appealing a lower court decision that dismissed their lawsuit challenging prayers offered at the presidential inauguration - including the phrase used in the oath, "So help me God."

Barry, even as another health care plan is being introduced into Congress, there's a continuing - and a very real - concern about the issue of abortion.

Senators Michael Enzi of Wyoming and Charles Grassley of Iowa have expressed their concern to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus who is offering his own health care measure.  Senators Enzi and Grassley are correctly concerned about the lack of language in the bill.

According to the New York Times report:

Mr. Enzi and Mr. Grassley also told Mr. Baucus that health legislation must include language affirmatively prohibiting the use of federal money to pay for abortion. The restriction, they said, should apply to any subsidies that help low-income people buy insurance. In addition, they said, health plans should not be obliged to provide abortion. Thus, they said, the bill should "include a conscience clause to protect entities from being required to contract with abortion providers."

I don't know which polls you are looking at, but it appears that there was a double digit growth in support of the President's basic approach after he spoke to the joint session of Congress.  He also told the truth about what the healthcare plan--at least as it is moving through the House of Representatives--doesn't cover.  It doesn't have the federal government funding any types of abortions not already funded by Medicaid under the so-called "Hyde amendment".

Jay, it seems absolutely clear that an amendment by Congresswoman Lois Capps of California is a brilliantly conceived resolution of the whole matter.  Unfortunately, it has been villified by many on the Right and simply misunderstood by the generally responsible group Factcheck.org.

Barry, unfortunately President Obama squandered a prime-time audience and a Congressional address to do very little to move the ball forward regarding efforts to reform our health care system. 

President Obama is losing support with the American people on this issue.  And, after his address I can see why.

In fact, I would argue that the President drew more lines in the sand - dividing Americans - especially pro-life Americans who don't want abortion services mandated as part of some kind of health care 'benefit.'

It did not take long for the media and politicos to start speculating about what the death of Senator Kennedy will mean to the current debate on health care and other vital issues.

Just hours after his death, a call from some to turn Obama-care into Kennedy-care.  Some are vowing to "win one for Teddy."

Top Democrats are hoping to rally the troops - to reenergize efforts to pass health care legislation.