VOLUME No: 47 Issue No: 1

Washington, D.C. March 7, 2003

Passes Bill to Ban Human Cloning

Late on Thursday February 27th, the House of Representatives passed a
bill that bans all forms of human cloning by a margin of 241 to 155. An
alternative resolution failed earlier that would have allowed embryonic
cloning, but banned reproductive cloning. Embryonic cloning is used
mostly for research for possible cures to terminal illnesses because the
stem cells from the embryos can morph into almost any other kind of
cell. This has uses in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and others
where tissue needs to be regrown. Reproductive cloning is used solely to
create genetically identical children of the parents. The bill
includes penalties including a fine of up to $1 million and up to 10 years in
jail. The bill will move onto the Senate soon where it will face an
uncertain future. President Bush has made it clear that he will not
compromise on a full ban on all forms of human cloning.

President Bush Releases New Medicare Plan

President Bush this week introduced a new Medicare plan that rewards
those patients who switch to private medical insurance providers. The
President's 40 million dollar plan would give the nation's elderly three
choices, on Medicare providers. They could stay in the current Medicare
program, and receive small discounts on prescription drugs. Another
option would be for elderly patients to enter into an "Enhanced" Medicare
program where they would choose from multiple private insurers, with
the federal government paying most of the cost. The third option is a
"Medicare Advantage" program where seniors could get low cost medical
care, through health networks, with fewer requirements for the providers.
Senate Democrats also introduced their own plan for Medicare reform.
Democrats revived a plan, which failed to pass through the Senate last
year. It called for a 900 billion dollar, 10-year program, in which
includes a framework for the federal government to cover 80 percent of
prescription drug costs.

Republicans Fail to Invoke Cloture on Estrada Nomination

Senate Republicans failed to gain the 60 votes needed to end discussion
on the Nomination of Miguel Estrada. The Senate voted 55 to 44, with
four Democrats joining all 51 Republicans in favor of ending discussion.
Estrada's nomination has been held up since mid February with a total
of 85 hours of debate in the Senate.