Good U.S. news on medical costs and clean energy
Our friends at Fix the News are pointing out some surprisingly positive trends in the United States in their behind-the-paywall section this week, including:
— The growth of U.S. health care spending “seems to have permanently slowed thanks in part to technological advances making medical treatments cheaper and more effective,” according to a Harvard paper presented at a Brookings conference.
— Big batteries have started reshaping the U.S. grid, says Canary Media. The country “has made surprising strides in making those energy storage systems itself, rather than depending on imports from China.”
— “Texas is rapidly becoming the center of America’s clean energy buildout, pairing record solar generation with a surge in battery storage,” says Fix the News. The state has hit a new solar record that’s 55 percent higher than California’s solar record, Texas Public Radio reports.
Also in the news
Finland to open world’s first facility to permanently dispose of spent nuclear fuel
Venezuela approves new law to open mining to foreign investors, in compliance with Trump administration
Israel says peace talks with Lebanon to begin as soon as possible, rejects calls for ceasefire first
NPR: Iran war has increased disquiet among members of the military
Federal judge rules that Pentagon is violating court order to restore access to reporters
White House tells staff not to place bets on prediction markets amid Iran war
NYTimes investigation: In ‘unprecedented purge,’ Trump administration has dismissed more than 100 immigration judges
EPA proposes scaling back oversight of how toxic coal waste is stored
For second year in a row, Trump seeks to eliminate federal funding for tribal colleges, universities
Automatic registration of men potentially eligible for military draft to take effect by December
Postal Service suspends contributions to pension plan to delay running out of cash, requests first-class stamp increase to 82 cents
Trump promised to cut electric costs in half, but bills in energy-rich West Virginia now exceed some people's mortgages
Melania Trump delivers statement denying knowledge of Epstein crimes, says she and her lawyers are fighting ‘baseless lies’
WPost: CDC has delayed publishing report showing covid vaccine benefits
NYTimes Magazine: Vegetative patients may be more aware than was thought
KFF: As AI makes more health coverage decisions, the risks to patients grow
You can call the Capitol switchboard, (202) 224-3121, and be connected to the offices of your representative and senators. To email your House member and your two senators, you can connect to their websites at Congress.gov. Most lawmakers seem to only accept emails from their constituents, but these leaders accept emails from Americans nationwide, at:
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer
Senate Majority Leader John Thune