Oct. 28, 2011 CNS Budget

THIS WEEK’S FILE:
INFANTMORTALITY – Wayne State University researchers have discovered a new treatment that may help reduce Michigan’s high infant mortality. They’re urging early screening to detect a condition that responds to the treatment.  By Paige Houpt. FOR DETROIT AND ALL POINTS
HEALTHINSURANCE – Michigan regulators are asking for a waiver from a federal health insurance requirement that, if granted, consumer advocates say will increase premiums and threaten $53 million in potential rebates.  But state officials say the waiver is needed to keep insurers from fleeing Michigan and to maintain a healthy competition for lower rates.  By Jacob Kanclerz. ATTENTION BUSINESS DESKS. FOR CADILLAC AND ALL POINTS
DOUBLEUPFOOD – Michigan is set to expand a program that doubles the buying power of people on food assistance, improves their health and supports farmers markets across the state. By Alex Mitchell. For GRAND RAPIDS, LANSING, DETROIT, MARQUETTE AND ALL POINTS
DEMENTIA – A rising rate of dementia in Michigan residents may be linked to the state’s rising obesity rate. That’s yet one more reason state health officials target battling obesity as a key way to improve the state’s health and attack health care costs. By Courtney Culey. FOR ALL POINTS
PHYSICALEDUCATION – Fighting the obesity epidemic through more phys ed classes for younger children may be an idea whose time has come. A legislator from Detroit thinks so and has introduced a bill that would require schools to offer twice weekly gym classes for elementary kids and daily classes for middle schoolers. The state already requires one high school credit in phys ed. By Shannan O’Neil.  FOR TRAVERSE CITY AND ALL POINTS
SOLDIERHELP – A statewide program offers free legal help to military families with problems as diverse as securing powers of attorney, writing wills and disputes with landlords. By Nick McWherter. FOR ALL POINTS
FETALREMAINS – Lawmakers are considering legislation aimed at preventing aborted fetuses from ending up in dumpsters. The bill has passed the Senate and is in a House committee. But women’s health advocates say the bill is unneeded because medical facilities already must incinerate all human tissue. By Sam Inglot. FOR ALL POINTS
RIVERFIX – A long-contaminated southeast Michigan river could be the first of the state’s five internationally identified toxic hot spots to come off that list. A key step now underway is altering a series of dams on the River Raisin to let fish swim upstream and improve access by canoeists and kayakers to 23 miles of the river before it empties into Lake Erie. By Brian Bienkowski. FOR ALL POINTS