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8A – Daily News – Tuesday, December 14, 2010 WORLD BRIEFING Judge declares provision in health overhaul is unconstitutional WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama’s historic health care overhaul hit its first major legal road- block Monday, thrown into doubt by a federal judge’s declaration that the heart of the sweeping legislation is unconstitu- tional. The decision handed Republican foes ammunition for their repeal effort next year as the law heads for almost certain eventual judgment by the U.S. Supreme Court. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson, a Republican appointee in Richmond, Va., marked the first successful court challenge to any portion of the new law, following two earlier rulings in its favor by Democrat- ic-appointed judges. The law’s central requirement for nearly all Americans to carry insurance is unconstitutional, well beyond Con- gress’ power to require, Hudson ruled, agreeing with argument of Virginia’s attorney general — and many of the Republican lawmakers who will take control of the U.S. House in January. Hudson denied Virginia’s request to strike down the law in its entirety or block it from being implemented while his ruling is appealed by the Obama administration. ‘‘An individual’s personal decision to purchase — or decline to purchase — health insurance from a private provider is beyond the historical reach of the Commerce Clause,’’ said Hudson, a 2002 appointee of President George W. Bush. Nevertheless, the White House pre- dicted it would prevail in the Supreme Court, although it may be a year or two before the health care law gets there. The next step for the Virginia lawsuit is the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, where Democratic-appoint- ed judges hold a majority. Big tax bill advancing in Senate with bipartisan support WASHINGTON (AP) — Far-reach- ing legislation to avert a Jan. 1 income- tax increase for millions won over- will because when spring appears, the Taliban always show up with greater force and enthusiasm.’’ Fallout from whelming support in a Senate test vote on Monday, backed by an uneasy and unusual alliance between the White House and lawmakers in both parties. Even before the vote was complete, President Barack Obama said the show of support ‘‘proves that both parties can in fact work together to grow our econo- my and look out for the American peo- ple.’’ Senate passage, expected within a day or two, would set up a final showdown in the House between Obama and liberals in his own party who want the White House to scale back the billions the bill includes in relief ticketed for the rich. In his remarks, the president gave no indication he was willing to accept fur- ther changes to the measure he negotiat- ed with senior Republicans. ‘‘I understand those concerns,’’ he said of the objections from some of his usual allies in Congress. ‘‘I share some of them. But that’s the nature of com- promise, sacrificing something that each of us cares about.’’ Wind hampers efforts to rescue few drivers still stuck on Indiana highway LAPORTE, Ind. (AP) — More than 70 motorists were stuck for hours Mon- day in biting temperatures on snow-cov- ered highways in northwest Indiana as strong winds hampered snow plow dri- vers’ efforts to free them. By Monday afternoon, most had been rescued safely, but a few were still trapped by drifts. Authorities said strong winds with gusts up to 30 mph were delaying rescue efforts. ‘‘As soon as the plows go through an area, the wind is blowing fresh snow right back into the roads,’’ state highway THANK YOU FOR TOYS! department spokesman Jim Pinkerton said. ‘‘It is just really difficult for us to keep up against that wind and snow.’’ The wind and heavy lake effect snow were part of a slow-moving storm that has been crawling across the Midwest since Friday night. At least 15 deaths have been attributed to the storm, which dumped nearly 2 feet of snow in parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin before mov- ing into Michigan and Indiana. Monday, it stretched further east, with snow in parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. Northwest Indiana was hardest hit Monday, with up to 16 inches of snow in some areas around LaPorte. Lake effect snow develops when cold air rushes over the warmer water in Lake Michigan. No decisive victory, many lives lost in Afghanistan KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — One year after President Barack Obama ordered a troop buildup to halt the Tal- iban’s momentum, the war in Afghanistan has not broken decisively in favor of U.S.-led forces — at least not yet. While NATO forces have routed insurgents from their strongholds in southern Afghanistan, the Taliban’s strongest region, the militants have opened new fronts in the north and west and have stepped up attacks in the east. At the same time, the surge has exact- ed a high price: More than 680 interna- tional troops, including at least 472 Americans, have been killed in 2010, making it the deadliest year of the war. Hundreds of Afghan civilians have also died, most as a result of Taliban attacks. There has been little progress in dis- lodging the militants from their sanctu- aries across the border in Pakistan. A corrupt and ineffectual Afghan govern- ment remains a fragile pillar of the U.S. war strategy. And many Afghans expect the Taliban to return to their southern strongholds when the winter snows melt. ‘‘Will they come back? This will be answered in the spring,’’ said Sadeek Dhottani, a 41-year-old farmer in Mar- jah. ‘‘What I think is yes they probably Medicaid cuts CHICAGO (AP) — In Illinois, a phar- macist closes his business because of late Medicaid payments. In Arizona, a young father’s liver transplant is canceled because Medicaid suddenly won’t pay for it. In California, dentists pull teeth that could be saved because Medicaid doesn’t pay for root canals. Across the country, state lawmakers have taken harsh actions to try to rein in the budget-busting costs of the health care program that serves 58 million poor and disabled Americans. Some states have cut payments to doctors, paid bills late and trimmed benefits such as insulin pumps, obesity surgery and hospice care. Lawmakers are bracing for more work when they reconvene in January. Some states face multibillion-dollar deficits. Federal stimulus money for Medicaid is soon to evaporate. And Medicaid enroll- ment has never been higher because of job losses. In the view of some lawmakers, Med- icaid has become a monster, and it’s eat- ing the budget. In Illinois, Medicaid sucks up more money than elementary, secondary and higher education com- bined. ‘‘Medicaid is such a large, complicat- ed part of our budget problem, that to get our hands around it is very difficult. It’s that big. It’s that bad,’’ said Illinois Sen. Dale Righter, a Republican and co-chair- man of a bipartisan panel to reform Med- icaid in Illinois, where nearly 30 percent of total spending goes to the program. Ukraine to open Chernobyl to tourists KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Want a better understanding of the world’s worst nuclear disaster? Come tour the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Beginning next year, Ukraine plans to open up the sealed zone around the Chernobyl reactor to visitors who wish to learn more about the tragedy that occurred nearly a quarter of a century ago, the Emergency Situations Ministry said Mon- day. Chernobyl’s reactor No. 4 exploded on April 26, 1986, spewing radiation over a large swath of northern Europe. Hundreds of thousands of people were resettled from areas contaminated with radiation fallout in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. Related health problems still persist. The so-called exclusion zone, a highly contaminated area within a 30-mile (48- kilometer) radius of the exploded reactor, was evacuated and sealed off in the after- math of the explosion. All visits were pro- hibited. SUPER SKILLETS Starting December 1st current coupons and specials on Facebook at Perkos Cafe North State See all our 2 eggs scrambled with country sausage, diced red & green bell peppers, crispy hash browns and topped with cheddar cheese. Served with a split buttermilk biscuit topped with country gravy. REUSABLE COUPON! Holiday Scramble$ Good ALL day for ALL in party. Dec. 1st thru 31st, 2010 Present coupon when ordering as often as you like during December. Dine-in only. Not valid with any other discounts. 499 Major Frank Severs • UNA Jordan / Advisory Board • Larry Mikkelson, • Santa Claus A Special Thank You to Larry Mikkelson, President of “The Bikers of Northern California.” The bikers toy run brought dozens of toys to The Salvation Army on December 5, 2010. Also, a Special Thank You to Cindy Brown, staff and Rabobank in both Red Bluff & in Corning for making our “Stuff The Bus” toy run a success. With community support we hope to provide about 600 children w/new toys. So far, we have toys for about 115. We especially need toys for children 10-12 years old: sports, balls, CD player, MP3 players & scooters are good for this age group. We have Angel Trees, at: Wal-Mart, Raleys, and Kremer’s Chiropractic. Buy a toy for a child and put it in the barrel by the Angel Tree. Or, drop the toy off at our office at 940 Walnut Street. Contributions may be sent to: The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 935, Red Bluff, CA. 96080 www.redbluffsalarmy.org Your Choice: • Chicken Pot Pie • Swedish Meatballs Redding & Anderson locations. 201 Antelope Blvd. Red Bluff • (530) 528-2360 Specials also available at our One Dish Wonders $599 NO COUPON NECESSARY Introducing Fast & Friendly “Seat to Eat” in 10 Minutes- Guaranteed!!! COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR • Texas Steak Chili • Three Cheese Pasta Florentine Good ALL day for ALL in party. Dec. 1st thru 31st, 2010 All makes and models. We perform dealer recommened 30K, 60K, 90K SERVICES AT LOWER PRICES Smog Check starting at $ (most cars and pick-ups) 2595 Coupon Happy Holidays our gift to you Watch Battery Free Must have coupon Exp 12-24-10 Gold Exchange 530 528-8000 423 Walnut St. Red Bluff Gayle’s 50% to 80% Off Going out of Business Sale Final day December 29, 2010 649 Main Street Downtown Red Bluff + cert. Pass or FREE retest 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. News tip? Call 527-2151 The Electric Man For all your electrical needs • New Outlets / 220 • Fans / Fixtures • Pools / Spas • Code Corrections • Troubleshooting • Panel Upgrade • Telephone Wiring $10.00 Customer Discount FREE Estimates License# 826543 347-4441