Language News and Research

RSS

Language skills are essential to a child’s ability to communicate and develop. These skills enable children to engage with other people and learn from their surroundings and in the classroom.

Today's opinions and editorials

The language in our amendment is completely consistent with the Hyde Amendment, which in the 33 years since its passage has done nothing to inhibit private health insurers from offering abortion coverage. There is no reason to believe that a continuation of this policy would suddenly create undue hardship for the insurance industry — or for those who wish to use their private insurance to pay for an abortion (Rep. Bart Stupak, 12/8).

9 Dec 2009

Senate rejects abortion amendment, sparking new fight

The Hill: "The Senate voted against strengthening restrictions for federal funding of abortion Tuesday evening, a development that could imperil Democrats' efforts to pass an underlying healthcare reform bill. Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), who offered the amendment, had indicated that he could support a Republican filibuster of the healthcare reform bill if the abortion language were not added to it."

9 Dec 2009

Regis College and MGH Institute team up to offer new research-based reading courses

To help alleviate a local and nationwide shortage of teachers with expertise in reading, Regis College in Weston and MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston have created a new partnership in which graduates will receive a Master of Arts in Teaching with a concentration in reading.

9 Dec 2009

Senate vote on abortion amendment - a major hurdle to health bill - could occur today

The Washington Post reports that lawmakers in the Senate began consideration Monday "of an amendment to restrict abortion coverage" and a vote is expected today. The provision, "co-sponsored by Sens. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), would bar individuals who receive federal insurance subsidies from purchasing private policies that cover elective abortions. It also would ban abortion coverage under a government plan" (Murray, 12/8).

8 Dec 2009

New report: CBO underestimates savings from health bills but economists worry savings aren't enough

"Previous analyses have underestimated the potential cost-saving effects of the House and Senate health reform bill, according to a new report co-authored by the Center for American Progress Action Fund and the Commonwealth Fund," Modern Healthcare reports.

8 Dec 2009

Catholics for Choice's statement on restriction of abortion coverage

"Today, Senator Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska) put the policy priorities of the U.S. Catholic bishops before the needs of women nationwide. Originally, Senator Nelson maintained that the abortion language in the healthcare bill was not a make-or-break factor in his vote.

8 Dec 2009

New NNNS screening tool developed to identify newborn at risk

When a baby is born, new parents often wonder, "Will he be the next President of the United States?" or "Could she be the one to find a cure for cancer?" But the underlying question for many specialists is, "Is this child 'at risk' for developmental issues?"

8 Dec 2009

Workforce Alliance receives $134,790 grant to fund workforce training program

Workforce Alliance was awarded a $134,790 grant by the State of Florida to fund a workforce training program aimed at meeting the high need for skilled health care workers in Palm Beach County.

8 Dec 2009

Senate Democrats seek agreement on public plan alternative

The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones: "Senate Democrats appear ... closer to reaching agreement on an alternative to a government-run health-insurance plan in health-care overhaul legislation, even as they dealt with disagreement within their party on abortion. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, (D., Mich.) told reporters Monday that Democrats are 'rapidly coming to a conclusion' on language within the bill, including a public-plan alternative."

7 Dec 2009

Nelson introduces abortion amendment to Senate health bill

The Hill: "The Senate took a crucial step toward a showdown on abortion with the introduction of an amendment by Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and nine other anti-abortion rights senators." Nelson has indicated that he will join a Republican filibuster effort "if strict abortion language is not adopted."

7 Dec 2009

Two Brown University faculty members receive federal funding for new neuroscience research projects

Two Brown University faculty members have received federal funding for innovative new neuroscience research projects focusing on brain development in infants and bipolar disorder in children.

7 Dec 2009

Senators to take on abortion this week

Senate Democrats will begin the new week by taking on one of the most divisive issues for their caucus: abortion. The Associated Press reports Democratic leaders are hoping a pep talk by President Obama Sunday and ongoing negotiations on the topic will buttress their effort to address the issue and move on. Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., an anti-abortion centrist, introduced an amendment that would ban private health plans that receive federal subsidies from covering abortions, even if they are paid for by patients' premiums, much as the House has done. Liberals say that language is too restrictive.

7 Dec 2009

Increased sense of separation in this holiday season's most harmful gifts

A couple years ago, lead paint in toys manufactured in China sent parents searching frantically for gifts made in the USA. This fall, news of Baby Einstein refunds suggested that even so-called educational toys are suspect. Renowned parenting expert Dr. Jeffrey Fine, Ph.D., says that such videos are actually harmful to developing brains, retarding language development and shortening attention spans. Moreover, there is an increased sense of separation, which is the defining trait of each of this holiday season's most harmful gifts.

7 Dec 2009

Combative health debate continues: Senate considers insurance executives' pay, cost controls

News coverage is focusing on Senate consideration of amendments to the massive health reform bill.

6 Dec 2009

NIH director to speak on new horizons for human health in biomedical research

Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health and recipient of the nation’s highest scientific honors, will address the National Press Club Dec. 21 on “Biomedical research: New horizons for human health.”

5 Dec 2009

AES: Progress in epilepsy management not reached millions of people around the world

Substantial progress has been made over the last 15 years in the healthcare community's ability to diagnose and treat epilepsy and its complications. Yet this progress in epilepsy management has not reached most of the 50 million people around the world, including many of the nearly three million people in the United States who have the disorder.

5 Dec 2009

Health experts address treatment gap in epilepsy management at AES Annual Meeting

5 Dec 2009

Senators offer cost-constainment amendment; Senate continues to discuss abortion, public option

The Associated Press: "Sens. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, along with Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., unveiled a package of amendments Friday that would reward Medicare patients for picking efficient doctors, require insurance companies to make public more information about claims denials and speed up programs shifting from paying providers for services to paying them for performance

4 Dec 2009

Senate bill moves forward, amendment ensures coverage for women's preventive care

Los Angeles Times: "After days of delay, Senate Democrats pushed ahead Thursday with their drive to pass a healthcare bill by Christmas, approving the first amendment to their giant bill: a measure to expand women's access to preventive services such as mammograms."

4 Dec 2009

Senate debate expected to turn to abortion

The issue that sharply divided the House during its consideration of health-care legislation is threatening to derail the Senate version of the bill, Bloomberg reports. Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., has said he will help filibuster the bill unless Democrats adopt tougher language restricting federal funds from paying for abortions, and may offer an amendment to that effect.

4 Dec 2009

Language News and Research

Further Reading

Today's opinions and editorials

Senate rejects abortion amendment, sparking new fight

Regis College and MGH Institute team up to offer new research-based reading courses

Senate vote on abortion amendment - a major hurdle to health bill - could occur today

New report: CBO underestimates savings from health bills but economists worry savings aren't enough

Catholics for Choice's statement on restriction of abortion coverage

New NNNS screening tool developed to identify newborn at risk

Workforce Alliance receives $134,790 grant to fund workforce training program

Senate Democrats seek agreement on public plan alternative

Nelson introduces abortion amendment to Senate health bill

Two Brown University faculty members receive federal funding for new neuroscience research projects

Senators to take on abortion this week

Increased sense of separation in this holiday season's most harmful gifts

Combative health debate continues: Senate considers insurance executives' pay, cost controls

NIH director to speak on new horizons for human health in biomedical research

AES: Progress in epilepsy management not reached millions of people around the world

Health experts address treatment gap in epilepsy management at AES Annual Meeting

Senators offer cost-constainment amendment; Senate continues to discuss abortion, public option

Senate bill moves forward, amendment ensures coverage for women's preventive care

Senate debate expected to turn to abortion

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Latest News