California May Test 8th Graders in Algebra; King Harbor Still Employs Disciplined Employees; Medicare Meltdown?; The Politics of Wine
California May Test 8th Graders in Algebra
A policy approved by the State Board of Education could mandate algebra to pre-high school students. Critics of the plan say about half of California's students just don't have the basic math skills to handle algebra at that age. What's the answer? Larry talks with State Secretary of Education Dave Long, Deputy State Superintendent of Assessment and Accountability Deborah Sigman, Senior Deputy Superintendent of LAUSD Ramon Cortines, and math curriculum expert Charles Munger.
King Harbor Still Employs Disciplined Employees
King-Drew hospital is gone, but apparently the bad apples are not. An investigative piece by the Los Angeles Times found that at least 22 employees who had been previously disciplined are still on duty either at the remains of the Watts medical facility or in other County hospitals. Larry Mantle talks to LA Times staff reporter Garrett Therolf and LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky.
Medicare Meltdown?
Democrats and Republicans have been embroiled in yet another fight about funding for Medicare. At stake are 10.6% cuts in Medicare payments to doctors, which could affect 52 million Americans. The House passed a bill last week attempting to stave off the cuts, but it fell one vote short of the 60 it needed to advance in the Senate. The stalled legislation was taken up by the Senate again Tuesday, and, with a crucial vote cast by Senator Kennedy, passed by a veto-proof margin. But will this new bill solve Medicare's many problems? Larry talks with experts about the future of Medicare and the politics of health care.
The Politics of Wine
In his book "Wine Politics" writer Tyler Colman looks at a seldom recognized aspect of wine...the politics behind the labels. Colman explores the globalization of the wine business and the regulations in France and the US that so profoundly impact what goes in the bottle.