I am a firm believer in the mission of the health centers, which offer cost-effective comprehensive primary and preventive services to at-risk people.

Millions of working, uninsured Americans go to bed every night worrying what will happen to them and their families if a major illness or injury strikes.

Obviously, I have certain policy positions that I push and advocate for that would benefit people dealing in a system that breeds inequality and makes life more difficult for people.

It is hard to look at the amount of damage in the two states and say it's equal, but the time to fight that battle is gone. Without Louisiana and Mississippi working together, Louisiana might have gotten a lot less than that. That's just the reality of politics.

Mindfulness is about finding ways to slow down and pay attention to the present moment-which improves performance and reduces stress. It’s about having the time and space to attend to what’s right in front of us, even though many other forces are trying to keep us stuck in the past or inviting us to fantasize or worry about the future. It’s about a natural quality each of us possesses, and which we can further develop in just a few minutes a day.

It seems to me it would do us all good to act from our heart more often. We’ll be surprised how small acts of attention and kindness can release the energy, enthusiasm, and imagination bottled up in our overstressed minds and bodies.

While the political debate over abortion will continue for a very long time, the federal government can and should be doing more to support programs and services that provide women with better options.