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Audie Cornish Audie Cornish is a co-host of All Things Considered.
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Politics

Most States Oppose Federal Insurance Mandate

Even if Democrats can manage to agree on a health care bill, there's widespread rebellion from the states. More than 30 states are moving to block the federal government from imposing a central feature of the bill: the individual mandate requiring that everyone buy insurance. Legal scholars generally agree that the measure is constitutional. Still, Virginia's pre-emptive law is on the governor's desk.

Most States Oppose Federal Insurance Mandate

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Your Money

Credit Card Changes To Take Effect

On Monday, the so-called Credit Card Bill of Rights goes into effect. No longer will banks be able to impose surprise interest rate hikes or mislead consumers about payment dates. But consumer advocates say banks and card issuers are already devising new ways to introduce fees and interest rate changes.

Credit Card Changes To Take Effect

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Health

Program Gets AIDS Patients To The Doctor

In the nation's capital, African-Americans make up more than 75 percent of the city's HIV/AIDS cases. To combat the disease and its spread, advocates and city health officials have decided to try to improve the link between being tested and being treated. Washington, D.C., and the Bronx in New York will be the site of a pilot research program designed to connect patients with a doctor, and put those patients on anti-retroviral medication as soon as they are diagnosed.

Program Gets AIDS Patients To The Doctor

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Opinion

The Tea Party In America

Nashville's Original Activists

While the Tea Party convention meets, another group of activists is meeting in Nashville, Tenn., to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the civil rights sit-in movement.

Nashville's Original Activists

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Media

Helen Thomas Marks 50 Years At The White House

Reporter Helen Thomas is celebrating her 50th year covering the White House. Guest host Audie Cornish profiles the reporter, who has been an almost permanent fixture in the White House press briefing room.

Helen Thomas Marks 50 Years At The White House

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Opinion

Rest In Privacy, J.D. Salinger

He lived on the other side of the world from Brangelina and Octomom. In a culture where people dream of fame for the sake of fame alone, the reclusive novelist, who died this week at 91, was the anti-celebrity.

Rest In Privacy, J.D. Salinger

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Senate Chaplain: Religious Leader For Secular Flock

Senate Chaplain Barry Black (second from right) prays with his staff before delivering the prayer to open the legislative day of the U.S. Senate. Walter Ray Watson/NPR hide caption

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Religion

Senate Chaplain: Religious Leader For Secular Flock

Barry Black is the first Seventh-day Adventist and the first African American to hold the post of Senate chaplain. He's also the man who sits squarely at the intersection of church and state at the U.S. Capitol.

Senate Chaplain: Religious Leader For Secular Flock

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Politics

Sen. Dodd To Keep Pushing Financial Overhaul

Sen. Chris Dodd has taken a leading role in putting together legislation to rewrite the rules governing Wall Street, but his retirement could make things complicated. Some observers say the Senate Banking Committee chairman's retirement improves the chances of a bill passing because he'll want to make sure it's part of his legacy.

Sen. Dodd To Keep Pushing Financial Overhaul

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Politics

Hispanic Caucus Aims To Shift Focus To Immigration

The packed legislative agenda of 2009 left little room for immigration issues. But members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus plan to make it a priority in 2010.

Hispanic Caucus Aims To Shift Focus To Immigration

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Economy

Senate Panel Approves Second Term For Bernanke

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke won approval for another term from the Senate Banking Committee today. The committee voted 16-7 to send Bernanke's nomination to the full Senate, where at least three senators have already placed holds on the nomination.

Senate Panel Approves Second Term For Bernanke

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Tracking The Overhaul

Democrats May Drop Medicare Expansion

Senate Democrats may abandon a proposed expansion of Medicare from health care legislation. Lawmakers say the move is probably necessary to pass the bill.

Democrats May Drop Medicare Expansion

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Politics

House OKs Financial Overhaul Bill

The House of Representatives passed legislation Friday hoping to prevent lawmakers from ever having to approve multibillion dollar programs to save Wall Street. The bill creates an agency to protect consumers from abusive credit practices and establishes a council to get a handle on those financial companies considered too big to fail.

House OKs Financial Overhaul Bill

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Business

Financial Overhaul Bill's Passage Threatened

Legislation aimed at better policing the financial regulatory system hits the house floor for final debate Wednesday. The financial system overhaul bill is a key part of the president's plan to fix the economy. However, black lawmakers in Congress say the administration isn't doing enough to help struggling minority communities, and they're willing to hold the measure hostage to make their point.

Financial Overhaul Bill's Passage Threatened

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Business

Bernanke Seeks Second Term As Fed Chief

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will appear before the Senate Banking Committee Thursday. He is seeking confirmation for another four years as head of the nation's central bank. Bernanke may find himself under fire for decisions he made during the bank bailout from angry lawmakers who are looking to limit the Fed's powers.

Bernanke Seeks Second Term As Fed Chief

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