12/30: SPR: Where America really ranks in health care

Southern Political Report: Where America really ranks in health care and hospitals

A report by John Tures of LaGrange College on where the country ranks in health care and hospitals. An excerpt:

"The most cited data comes from the World Health Organization (WHO) which compares countries’ health systems. Data comes from preventable deaths, healthy life expectancy, health performance, and health expenditures, as a percentage of GDP over the last decade.

"Unfortunately, the USA doesn’t fare as we would like it to perform. It currently ranks 37^th in the world, out of 190 countries. France finished first, followed by Italy (2^nd), Spain (7^th), Japan (10^th), Norway (11^th), United Kingdom (18^th), Colombia (22^nd), Germany (25^th), Saudi Arabia (26 ^th), Canada (30^th), Australia (32^nd) and Costa Rica (36^th). We’re two spots ahead of Cuba."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Rep. Artur Davis faces unlikely critics in run for governor

ARKANSAS: New laws go into effect January 1

FLORIDA: Attorney General investigates legality of health insurance mandate

GEORGIA: State tallies cost of DUIs

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear says state budget outlook is far worse than expected

LOUISIANA: Regulation of greenhouse gases protested by Gov. Jindal

MISSISSIPPI: Third year of declining revenue could mean fewer state employees

NORTH CAROLINA: Smoking ban to begin Saturday

SOUTH CAROLINA: State lawmakers sued by residents with disabilities

TENNESSEE: Legislators may delay workers' compensation law

VIRGINIA: Gov.-elect McDonnell urges offshore drilling in state

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

12/1: Weakened Sanford pushes ahead despite cloud

Statehouse Report: Brack: Weakened Sanford pushes ahead despite cloud

"On the day newspaper headlines screamed that the state Ethics Commission accused Gov. Mark Sanford of 37 violations, the governor's sense of humor remained intact. When asked how he would like his terms as governor to be remembered, he said, “Better than today.”

"Then during another of his Rotary Club apology tours across the state, Sanford paused 9 seconds to consider the question."

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Despite court ruling, casinos plan to reopen

ARKANSAS: Study shows Southern-born people have higher risk of dying of stroke

FLORIDA: Editorial: Shifting sands (on private property owners and beach rights)

GEORGIA: State homebuyer tax credit expires

KENTUCKY: Charities struggling more than ever in Kentucky

LOUISIANA: State's delegates to support 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan

MISSISSIPPI: Lawmakers from Mississippi to work on efficiencies in next legislative session

NORTH CAROLINA: 50 new state laws include ban on texting while driving

TENNESSEE: GOP leadership tries to block House Speaker from rejoining party

VIRGINIA: Editorial: I-81 in Virginia a great road to avoid

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org

8/13: Anger continues at health care town hall meetings

New York Times: Anger continues at health care town hall meetings

Constituents worried about health care changes have peppered their legislators with questions and have emphasized their concern at town hall meetings. In Georgia, Sen. Johnny Isakson said at a meeting in Tifton, “The question is whether the government should make health care an entitlement and a right or should the government establish a level playing field for private providers.”

In South Carolina, U.S. Rep. John Spratt is being urged to hold a town hall meeting, even though he's recuperating from foot surgery. It may be a few weeks before he can host such a meeting, he says. North Carolina's Rep. Heath Shuler plans two tele-town halls, but no in-person town hall meetings this August. Alabama's Rep. John Tanner answered questions at a Rotary Club meeting; today, constituents plan to urge him to hold a town hall meeting.

Expect more meetings during the recess.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: House passes bill to extend unemployment compensation for 20 weeks

ARKANSAS: Economic competitiveness of state ranked at 12th best

FLORIDA: Opinion: Matt Towery: Vulnerable Crist may be GOP's test case

GEORGIA: State's colleges to furlough employees for six days

KENTUCKY: Cold medicine restriction may continue due to meth lab prevalence

LOUISIANA: Revised price-gouging protection laws go into effect August 15

MISSISSIPPI: State's higher education challenge -- budgets

NORTH CAROLINA: Older population in state to suffer most from budget cuts

SOUTH CAROLINA: State must deal with $200 million in budget cuts

TENNESSEE: State gets $22 million grant for charter schools

VIRGINIA: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deeds says he'll sign tax increase bill

If you have a news story about public policy to suggest, send an email to info@bettersouth.org