When I set out to achieve universal health care as first lady back in 1993, I knew I needed to learn from Hawaii's pioneering example. So I traveled to your state and met with health care professionals and community leaders to discuss how Hawaii's approach to health care could be a model for America. I was greatly impressed by what I saw.

I was impressed by your passionate belief that health care is not a luxury -- but a fundamental right. I was impressed by this state's proud progressive tradition and firm commitment to caring for all its citizens. And I was impressed by Hawaii's rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural beauty.

But I know Hawaii also faces unique challenges -- from education to energy to the economy. And the people of Hawaii deserve a president who won't just talk about solutions to those problems -- but will actually deliver.

Dendreon Presents Data Correlating the Cumulative Potency of PROVENGE ...

SEATTLE and SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Researchers from Dendreon Corporation (NASDAQ: DNDN) today presented data demonstrating the correlation of a measure of the cumulative potency of PROVENGE (sipuleucel-T), an investigational active cellular immunotherapy for hormone-refractory prostate cancer, with overall survival. This is the first time that an association between higher potency of an active immune therapy and increased patient survival has been reported. The correlation appeared to be independent of other important baseline prognostic factors.

The abstract (#21), "Cell Number and CD54 Expression in Sipuleucel-T Correlate with Survival in Metastatic Androgen Independent Prostate Cancer," is being presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's 2008 Genitourinary Symposium in San Francisco.

Good Parenting Helps Difficult Infants Perform As Well Or Better In ...

ScienceDaily (Feb. 7, 2008) — Some infants are called difficult, challenging parents because they cry frequently, are very active, and may not adapt well to new situations or people. Other infants are described as easy, full of smiles, adaptable, and not very active. Conventional wisdom suggests that easy babies will do better in first grade than difficult ones. The results of a new study tell us otherwise, with the key being the type of parenting the children receive.

Monday wild card

The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work.

March of Dimes Selects Pennsylvania Girl as 2008 National Ambassador

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Expected to be her family's Halloween treat, Catharine Aboulhouda instead arrived on the Fourth of July, weighing 1 pound, 10 ounces. Today, the five-year-old of Allentown, Pennsylvania has been named the March of Dimes 2008 National Ambassador. Catharine, who was born 16 weeks early, measuring only 12 inches in length, represents just one of the more than half a million babies born preterm each year in the United States. As the National Ambassador, Catharine and her parents, Susan and Mike, will travel the country throughout the coming year to share their story and help raise awareness of the growing crisis of premature birth.

"The March of Dimes is committed to ensuring a healthy birth for every baby," said Dr. Jennifer L.

Bucking the Tide on Private Loans

As the scandals and debates over private lending have grown in recent months, conventional wisdom has held that private loans are a necessary evil. Sure, students and their families are taking on debt that is typically more expensive and more risky than federally backed loans. But as long as families feel that college costs are otherwise beyond their reach, private loans will continue to become more popular.