Health Care in the news today

BBC -
If you thought there was a shortages of nurses and other medical staff in the U.S., you'll be utterly disheartened by the shortages internationally. On the one hand, it's great that doctors and nurses are able to immigrate to more prosperous countries. But, it creates an even greater hardship on their home country's resources. In the U.S. they pay tuition or give subsidies to med students who practice in rural, resource-depleted areas. I cannot imagine this idea not being expanded internationally.

NY Times -
The need for presidential candidates to ponder the futures of Medicare and Medicaid. My suggestion: Can't we just find an independently wealthy do-gooder to be our benefactor?

Very interesting article about Cochlear Implants. It shows support for implanting not only adults, but preferrably young children (as young as 1 month old). I don't know, I'm still a bit skeptical. If someone wants to get the implants themself, great. But, implanting such young children still raises some concerns for me, although I realize the greater ability to learn english at a young age. Have any studies been done to see how these things affect brain functioning and physiology in the long run? On another note, Swiller's book sounds really interesting.