James Verone, a 59-year-old former truck driver, was having serious medical problems that he couldn't afford to get checked out or treated. If only North Carolina had a free, state-run health-care system!, he thought. Then he realized it does: in prison.

Did you know that if you believe in universal health care, you believe in slavery? Well: It's true! Kentucky Senator Rand Paul said so during a Senate hearing today, and he is a doctor, so you'd better listen to him.

Many have credited Jon Stewart with helping to finally push the long overdue James Zadroga 9/11 Health And Compensation Law—which provides health care for afflicted first responders—through Congress. So when he heard about a seemingly unconscionable amendment to the bill that requires the government to make sure the heroes aren't terrorists before providing them benefits, Stewart was understandably angry. And on tonight's Daily Show, he let it be known.

Members of Congress are back in their districts, attending town hall events, explaining to their constituents why, exactly, they want to make such major changes to the health care system.

Gelatinous cartoon slumlord Donald Trump is facing some tough questions about his previous political positions in his pretend campaign for president. He's already won, really, if this promotional stunt to increase the ratings of Celebrity Apprentice is getting reporters to read whatever dumb book he wrote in 2000 to dig up his arbitrary political stances of the time.

The BBC show Bizarre ER featured a college student named Holly whose jaw got dislocated after a very vigorous yawn. While being stuck with your mouth agape is pretty horrifying, you'll never believe how doctors got it closed.

We know that given just about any problem, the wise commenters on this here website can probably solve it. Today, in response to the Republican idea to privatize Medicare, a few people went and solved the health care problem altogether. One solution? Magical thinking!

If anything will make it easier for House conservatives to back off on shutting down the government this week, it's the prospect of a different, and much larger fight over the federally funded social safety net. House Republicans are preparing to introduce a 10-year budget Tuesday that will eliminate Medicare and replace it with a private insurance system that closely resembles the new health care law, and end Medicaid as an entitlement program all together.

After reading that Justin Bieber favors Canadian-style health care, Rep. Chris Murphy (D-CT) went boldly where no member of Congress had gone before:

Justin Bieber, mop-topped wunderkind of the wooded north, fell into a political booby trap at the hands of Rolling Stone, declaring himself pro-life and pro-Canada: "You guys are evil. Canada's the best country in the world." Uh oh.

You know what the problem with the right to bear arms is? It's not a requirement. Luckily, a few South Dakota lawmakers are hoping to change that with a law that would require anyone over 21 to buy a gun.

The 26 states that sued over the new federal health care law picked the perfect judge, Florida's Roger Vinson, for their case. Today he struck down the entire act, using shout-outs to the Tea Party and libertarian blogs. Let's explore.

Today we heard that a Florida judge found President Obama's health care reform legislation unconstitutional. "Uh oh!", we all cried. "Not good!" Well, one commenter argued, maybe part of the ruling makes sense. They broke it down for us.

Ah, our new, super-civil politics. No longer will cross-hairs be threateningly wielded or presidents' birth certificates be questioned. Rejoice! Our national discourse now rises to the level of fragrant poetry. Except when a Democratic congressman compares Republicans to Nazis.

Tea Party Rep.-elect Joe Walsh is so not hypocritical that he'll turn down his "cushy" government health insurance next year. This sucks for his wife, who "has a pre-existing medical condition and is now forced to hunt for a plan."

The Crazies were right! Barack Obama's "death panels" will go into effect on January 1.

Sen. Tom Coburn has dropped his objections to the 9/11 first responders bill, allowing Dems to circumvent procedural roadblocks and pass it quickly this afternoon.

To entice donors to join a bone marrow registry, a company sent out "flirtatious models...who, for reasons that remain unclear, sometimes also wore electric-blue wigs." Then when dudes sign up, their insurance is billed $4,300. Now that's strategic. [NYT]

Jon Stewart blasted Republicans on Monday for blocking legislation to provide health care benefits to 9/11 first responders (video). Tonight—his last show of the year—Stewart continued his criticism of Congress and the media for ignoring the issue.

Henry E. Hudson, the federal judge in Virginia who just ruled health care reform unconstitutional, owns between $15,000 and $50,000 in a GOP political consulting firm that worked against health care reform. You don't say!