Cancer patients in northeastern Vermont should be getting better coordinated and maybe less expensive care in the near future, if a program that is part of the state's health care overhaul is successful.

The Supreme Court will issue its last opinions on Thursday, with its decision on President Barack Obama's health care overhaul expected to come down that day.

The nation's largest union of government workers chose a new leader on Thursday as its members grapple with efforts around the country to weaken labor rights or cut public employee pensions and benefits.

More than 80,000 retired government employees will have to start paying for health insurance under legislation Gov. Pat Quinn signed Thursday, ending a major benefit that Illinois had promised to employees.

Six community health centers in Michigan will share more than $3.6 million in federal funds to help expand services and hire new staff.

Mitt Romney is looking to woo Hispanics with promises of a stronger economy, facing a large gathering of the influential voting bloc for the first time since immigration was thrust into the forefront of the presidential contest.

Weekly U.S. unemployment applications dipped last week but not by enough to suggest job growth is picking up. Applications declined to 387,000 from an upwardly revised 389,000 in the previous week. But the four-week average, a less volatile measure, rose for the fourth straight week.

A Washington state Blue Shield health plan is asking for permission to raise its rates almost 15 percent in October.