In a dang-near perfect world, you and I would be reading headlines like: Massive savings from health care reform erases national debt, allows 4-day workweek Slow day at the ER: Staff take off for Magic Mountain Cheeto's, Frito's and Big Gulps prove cheap, clean fuel sources for PG&E No flu shots needed -- third year in row no cases ...

The story begins like so much nonsense. ''Just in time for the holidays, you'll be able to buy Dad a gift card that pays for his semiannual trip to the urologist.'' That's how a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter described a new health care gift card pushed by Highmark Inc., an insurer. You pay $4.95 for the card and can plop as much as $5,000 on ...

California won't be making headlines when elections occur Nov. 6. Nothing is occurring statewide, so the spotlight moves to six other states where voters will be deliberating some hot-button issues. Of course, that means health care. In Oregon, voters will be asked to hike cigarette taxes by 85 cents a pack to pay for children's health coverage. ...