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Large majority of people in Deep South support Medicaid expansion, poll

More than 60 percent of residents of Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina support Medicaid expansion.

How many will Medicaid expansion cover? It depends . . .

President Obama’s health law was expected to cover 32 million uninsured Americans by 2022. But that number will be much smaller if some states don’t buy in.

With a high deductible plan, it pays to shop around

An increasing number of consumers have these plans with lower premiums, but they must cover the first $1,000, $5,000 or even $10,000 of care before insurance kicks in, providing an incentive to haggle with doctors and hospitals.

Health tip for Monday: Dare to walk alone

While the buddy system works for some, others are more comfortable exercising or being active alone.

Solo time at the gym, during yoga or while walking may be a great way to clear your mind, release stress and get the most from your workout.

Targeting prescribers can reduce excessive use of antibiotics in hospitals

Giving prescribers access to education and advice or imposing restrictions on use can curb overuse or inappropriate use of antibiotics in hospitals.

US health spending larger than the GDP of most nations

Total health spending in the United States was $2.7 trillion in 2011. If that activity were separated into its own sovereign nation, it would constitute the fifth-largest economy in the world, behind only the United States, China, Japan, and Germany.

How to control your seasonal allergies

Allergic reactions occur when the body wrongly defends itself against something that is not dangerous. A healthy immune system defends against invading bacteria and viruses. During allergic reactions, however, the immune system fights harmless materials, such as pollen or mold.

Cloning, stem cells long mired In legislative gridlock

The news that U.S. scientists have successfully cloned a human embryo seems almost certain to rekindle a political fight that has raged, on and off, since the announcement of the creation of Dolly the sheep in 1997. “The issue of legislation on human cloning is about to get hot again,” says Hank Greely, director of the Center for Law and the Biosciences at Stanford Law School.

Feds make it easier for states to enroll poor under health law

The Obama administration will simplify enrollment in Medicaid, the federal-state program for the poor, to handle the onslaught of millions of anticipated enrollees next year when the health care law expands coverage.

West Nile virus tracking resumes; public asked to report dead birds online

West Nile virus tracking and monitoring season is underway and an updated online dead bird reporting system is available for state residents to use. Dead birds can be the first sign that West Nile virus is circulating in a community.