In a major break with the past, 3 million to 5 million people with drug and alcohol problems from homeless drug addicts to working moms who drink too much will soon become eligible for insurance coverage under the new health care overhaul.

The California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) Pension & Health Benefits Committee approved new actuarial policies this week aimed at returning the system to fully funded status within 30 years.

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits increased just 4,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 352,000. The slight gain kept applications at a level consistent with solid hiring and suggests March's sluggish hiring may be temporary.