Hacker NewsAug 13, 2025
US national debt reaches a record $37T, the Treasury Department reports
https://apnews.com/article/treasury-debt-spending-trump-obbb-6f807c4aae78dcc96f29ff07a3c926f4
#ycombinator #Peter_Peterson #Donald_Trump #Joe_Biden #National_debt #General_news #Washington_news #Taxes #Michael_Peterson #Wendy_Edelberg #Business #Financial_performance #Maya_MacGuineas #United_States_Congressional_Budget_Office #U_S_Republican_Party #Politics #United_States_government #Legislation #Coronavirus #U_S_news #U_S_Department_of_the_Treasury #Washington_News #U_S_News
US national debt reaches $37 trillion

The U.S. government’s gross national debt has surpassed $37 trillion, setting a new record. This highlights the rapid acceleration of debt on America’s balance sheet and the increasing cost pressures on taxpayers. The Treasury Department reported this update on Tuesday. The national debt reached this level years sooner than pre-pandemic projections due to heavy borrowing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts warn that the growing debt could lead to reduced living standards and increased interest rates. The Joint Economic Committee estimates another trillion dollars could be added in about 173 days.

AP News
 Hacker NewsJan 17, 2025
Ozempic and Wegovy are selected for Medicare's price negotiations
https://apnews.com/article/drug-prices-medicare-biden-trump-aae2271614f5959b484e5f081313f2e1
#ycombinator #Joe_Biden #Medication #Xavier_Becerra #Donald_Trump #Medicare #Novo_Nordisk_AS #Government_programs #General_news #NJ_State_Wire #Denmark #Health #United_States_government #Business #U_S_Republican_Party #Washington_news #New_Jersey #Stephen_Ubl #District_of_Columbia #AARP #Nancy_LeaMond
Ozempic, Wegovy and other drugs are among 15 selected for Medicare's price negotiations

The Biden administration says popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have been added to Medicare’s list of medications that will be negotiated directly between the government and drug manufacturers. The price negotiations for the additional 15 drugs selected Friday will be handled by the incoming Trump administration and almost assure billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra says “this is a big deal.” Drug companies oppose the program and say it “fails to address the true challenges facing seniors and Medicare.” Ozempic and Wegovy are made by Novo Nordisk, which is based in Denmark and has U.S. headquarters Plainsboro, New Jersey.

AP News
 Hacker NewsJul 22, 2023
House Republicans propose planting a trillion trees
https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-republicans-trillion-trees-01e455acce4397c0376e82bfa18b72c2
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House Republicans propose planting a trillion trees as they move away from climate change denial

House Republicans are searching for solutions to climate change without restricting American-produced energy that comes from burning oil, coal and gas. Scientists overwhelmingly agree that heat-trapping gases released from the combustion of fossil fuels are pushing up global temperatures. But Republicans remain opposed to government action to force emissions reductions. Instead, they have embraced the idea of planting a trillion trees. A 2019 study suggested that planting trees to suck up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere could be one of the most effective ways to fight climate change. But environmental scientists call the idea a distraction from cutting emissions from fossil fuels.

AP News