I am hopeful for the American people that we can actually improve the outlook for bringing down costs in health care.

In mid-May the House of Representatives approved the full amount of money that the Veterans Administration said was needed for next year - plus an additional $1 billion increase for veterans' health care.

That's why I wrote this book: to show how these people can imbue us with hope. I read somewhere that when a person takes part in community action his health improves. Something happens to him or to her biologically. It's like a tonic.

Better understanding of the natural world not only enhances all of us as human beings but can also be harnessed for the better good leading to improved health and quality of life.

When bureaucrats talk about increasing our 'access' to x y or z what they're really talking about is increasing exponentially their control over our lives. As it is with the government health care takeover so it is with the newly approved government plan to 'increase' Internet 'access.'

One of the jewels in the crown of Labour's time in office was the rescue of the National Health Service. As the Commonwealth Fund the London School of Economics and the Nuffield Foundation have all shown health reforms as well as additional investment were essential to improved outcomes especially for poorer patients.

The most common objection that I hear to walking as exercise is that it's too easy that only sweaty strenuous activity offers real benefits. But there is abundant evidence that regular brisk walking is associated with better health including lower blood pressure better moods and improved cholesterol ratios.

One of the most obvious ways dogs can improve our physical and mental health is via daily walks.

And I believe that if we can care about whether or not our neighbor has a good job or access to affordable health care for their children and we move to implement the policies that can improve these situations we will unleash vast amounts of human potential and recapture the American spirit.

In today's world it is shortsighted to think that infectious diseases cannot cross borders. By allowing developing countries access to generic drugs we not only help improve health in those nations we also help ourselves control these debilitating and often deadly diseases.