The Diane Rehm Show

Understanding what makes for a healthy voice, how you can protect and improve the sound of your voice, and what treatments are available for some of the more common vocal disorders

Women’s health, politics and the federal budget: Why Planned Parenthood and DC funded abortions became key bargaining chips in threats to close the federal government.

Republicans offer a 2012 budget plan that sharply curtails Medicare, cuts Medicaid and slashes more than $6 trillion over the next ten years. We discuss support for the plan and its implications for the ongoing budget debate.

One year ago today, President Obama signed into law sweeping changes to the nation’s health care system. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act re-organized a sector that accounts for one-sixth of the national economy. Some of its more popular elements have already kicked in. Insurance companies can no longer deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. And some preventative treatments are now free. But the law faces threats. In a mostly symbolic vote, the GOP-controlled House voted to repeal the Act as one of its first actions. And portions of it could be overturned by the Supreme Court. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on the health care overhaul law.