Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced the $450 billion cut to the Pentagon’s budget may partially have to come out of the military’s health insurance program, Tricare. Raised fees and renegotiating retirement pay of veterans are unacceptable measures compared to the price tags of the Pentagon’s other defense contracts.

After several months of intense debate, scrutiny and name-calling amongst Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate, President Barack Obama signed his heavily touted health care reform package into law last Wednesday, marking the biggest overhaul of the United States health care system since Theodore Roosevelt’s term in office. But how will this affect Santa Cruz residents?

While college students shut off their laptops, sold their textbooks, and headed toward the beach for spring break, President Obama and Congress enacted a new healthcare law, a task that has eluded lawmakers for over 50 years.

Change is a slow and steady process. And when it comes to changes in our nation’s infrastructure, there is no denying that it is easier said than done.

Graduate students will soon be seeing a decrease in their medical services if plans to cut their healthcare coverage follow through.

Earlier this month, Lisa Sloan, dean of graduate studies and professor of earth sciences, asked the Graduate Student Association to approve cuts to current levels of coverage for the Graduate Student Health Insurance Plan (GSHIP).