Talk to Investigators Today; Couple Accused of Crashing White House State Dinner May Face Criminal Charges - Part 3
| By T.J. Holmes, Brianna Keilar, Gary Tuchman, Paul Steinhauser |
|---|
xfdls CNN-SATURDAY-MORNING-02
<Show: CNN SATURDAY MORNING NEWS>
<Date: November 28, 2009>
<Time: 07:00>
<Tran: 112802CN.V28>
<Type: SHOW>
<Head: Three Americans Dead in Shanghai Plane Crash; Tiger Woods
Will Talk to Investigators Today; Couple Accused of Crashing White House
State Dinner May Face Criminal Charges - Part 3>
<Sect: News; International>
<Time: 08:00>
But overall, take a look at our poll. It indicates that Americans like the idea of preventing public money, taxpayer money to go to abortions for women who cannot afford them. 61 percent oppose that idea so you can see that it seems the plans are somewhat in line with what our poll suggests is a public opinion.KEILAR: And of course, let's not forget about Republicans, Paul, not a single one of them voted last weekend to bring this plan up for debate and vote. The possibility of a filibuster and they may be getting a little help right from an independent who normally caucuses with Democrats.
STEINHAUSER: Yes, Joe Lieberman we were just talking about him from Connecticut. He used to be a Democrat, now is an independent. And he may join the Republicans if the public option stays in there. Filibuster, as you know, 40 votes. That's all you need in the Senate to basically derail legislation or a nomination.
What do Americans think about the filibuster? Well, we asked that in our survey as well and most Americans support the idea of a filibuster of the minority party being able to bring things to a halt. 56 percent opposed -- 56 percent favor the filibuster, only four in ten oppose it. And one reason why, remember, it was just a couple of years ago the Democrats were in the minority in the Senate and so, you know, what's good for one party is good for the other.
KEILAR: Yes, we'll be watching Monday, too, when debate begins. Paul Steinhauser, our deputy political director. Thanks for that.
STEINHAUSER: Thanks.
HOLMES: A new study out there has a troubling look at our failing health. The University of Chicago researchers say the numbers of Americans with diabetes will nearly double in the next 25 years. They also say the cost of treating those patients will triple to $336 billion a year.
Our Ali Velshi talked to the studies lead author about ways to lower these numbers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALI VELSHI, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: All right. What's the easiest way to cut that number, and I know most people probably glaze over when they see aggregate costs of health care. Because we don't know what $1 billion is. So let alone the fact that it's going to cost us 300 and some odd billion. But the bottom line is this is one of those diseases that we can easily lop off a very large proportion of the expense if we can be preventative about it.
DR. ELBERT YUANG, STUDY LEAD AUTHOR: Well, we certainly have weapons at our disposal to try to reduce the number of people who have diabetes but also to try to reduce these costs, so the number one thing -- the first step is probably increasing efforts to try to prevent diabetes. We can't change our age, we can't change the aging process but we can try to shift the distribution of people who are obese and overweight down.
VELSHI: That's pretty clear to you that that's going to change the game, if there are fewer people ...
YUANG: That could dramatically, that could dramatically change the game. The projections that we've produced really represent the cost of doing nothing, if we don't make any changes in our dietary habits or exercise habits, if we don't do anything this is what will happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOLMES: WELL, the CDC says even moderate weight loss could reduce the diabetes risks. The University of Chicago study was sponsored by a leading diabetes treatment company.
KEILAR: Hard to believe but tax season is right around the corner.
HOLMES: A lot of people don't realize how much money they can save by deducting medical expenses. Josh Levs, explain that to us. Hello again, Josh.
LEVS: Hi again to you guys. Yes, we have a list of the medical deductions that most people overlook. We'll show you how to spot them and save money as you prepare those end of the year receipts.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WOLF: Welcome back. All right guys, welcome back. We're going to give you an idea of what's happening around the rest of the nation, weather wise. Because there are a lot of people that are going to be traveling, hence the holiday travel sign you see behind me.
All right. Let's show you the trouble spots. We got a couple of them. Here's a big bull's eye that mother nature is paying on parts -- let's get that one back here. It's kind of a big bull's eye that mother nature is paying on parts of the northeast due to this area of low pressure. It's going to create windy conditions.
I'm talking about wind, we're talking about a faint breeze, we're talking anywhere from the range of 30 to 40 miles an hour, some gusts may approach 50 into the afternoons. That's going to keep some of the plans stack up on the runways. So some delays possible there.
Also, look for some delays possible in parts of the Pacific northwest, maybe in southern California and from Phoenix back over to say parts of the central Rockies you could see some snowfall in the central Rockies and in the (INAUDIBLE) Crystal Mountain. Some of that stuff could especially be heavy.
Now, if you're just going to be hanging out at home, doing some yard work, raking in some leaves, don't know why you'd want to do that but if you're going to, take a look 64 degrees Atlanta, 69 degrees in Memphis. 50 in Denver. 62 in Las Vegas and 74 in Phoenix.
Now, should be pretty nice for a lot of folks out there. Again, a few other problems just to sum up these for you. New York and Boston, you're going to have the wind to deal with. It's going to get stronger in the afternoon. Seattle and Portland, low clouds and the rain. In Phoenix, thunderstorms may pop up into the afternoon.
So that is a look at your holiday travel weather. We got more coming up right here at CNN. See you in a few really.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KEILAR: There's a new weapon now available for to you fight the flu. The FDA fast tracked approval for the Agriflu vaccine. It's supposed to guard against seasonal flu but not the H1N1, mind you and it's not just for kids, just patients 18 and older.
HOLMES: All right. Well, health care costs putting a big strain on millions of families out there. But many don't realize they might be able to save a little bit in taxes.
KEILAR: Yes. And as we near the end of the year, our Josh Levs is here to tell us about some of the most overlooked medical deductions. And Josh, I like to fancy myself as kind of savvy when it comes to medical deductions but I know you have a number that I never even thought about.
LEVS: Yes, I was surprised by a lot of these, too, after our producer Alberto brought this up. I started looking into it. And it is amazing what you actually can, if you keep careful records. This is important, keep careful records what you can deduct. Let me show you a web site first of all.
This is called bankrate -- well this is the IRS but this here is bankrate.com. And they talk to you about medical deductions. We have some key points in this graphic for you. Let's go straight to them. First of all your total, OK -- we'll go with this one, the costs prescribed by the doctor, this one really surprised me.
Take a look at this. Your costs prescribed by a doctor actually can be deducted for your taxes even if it's something you went and bought at the store as long as the doctor gives you a prescription. So let's say, you have breathing problems, go get a humidifier, that can be deducted. Let's go to this next one here now. This one is just a few of the most overlooked ones hearing aids, alcohol or drug abuse treatments, laser corrective surgery for your eyes.
And also look at this next screen travel. A lot of people don't know that travel if you keep close records when you're traveling to and from medical treatments, you know how many miles it was and on the day you can actually deduct that at the federal rate. Also, any, if you had to pay for insurance with any taxed income, you can deduct that. If you had to buy extra glasses, if you had to buy false teeth, all these things count.
Now, some medical expenses if you're taking care of your parent and your parent is not a dependent, you can still deduct some of those medical expenses from your taxes but here's the big figure to keep in mind, 7.5 percent. So at some point you have to figure out are all your medical deductions combined going to exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income, if you toss in everything I just showed you and more from bankrate.com, you might find that you actually are at that point and start saving a little money in taxes.
Now, I know there's a lot of points to keep track of there. And what we want to do is help you find it. So I'll post it all for you at the blog and we'll get up Facebook and Twitter, too, joshlevscnn, when I get off the air, put it there, cnn.com/josh, Facebook and Twitter and really good idea to look at this site, print out the options.
And Brianna, just like you and I were just talking about. If you find the full list you might start to find you can actually save a little money that you didn't realize you could. There you go.
KEILAR: Pretty amazing. And you know, if you have muscle problems sometimes doctors will actually recommend that you soak or something, it just makes me wonder if you could deduct a hot tub.
HOLMES: You're are pretty savvy with these stuff.
KEILAR: You could, I imagine, under certain circumstances.
LEVS: Call your doctor and your doctor will prescribe it. You never know what you might get. Yes.
KEILAR: That's wild.
HOLMES: You are begging to be audited.
KEILAR: I didn't say I was going to. Josh Levs, thank you very much.
Thanksgiving turkey and H1N1, not a good combo.
HOLMES: Traveling this holiday weekend means close quarters for millions of people and adds to anxiety of picking up maybe a nasty flu virus.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: It's where the H1N1 outbreak all started in the spring and now, excuse me, officially Mexico has a campaign under way to vaccinate people. The Mexican government got a shipment of 865,000 vaccines. Pregnant women and healthcare workers getting the priority, almost 600 deaths in Mexico has been linked to the virus.
KEILAR: Now here's the state to focus on getting the H1N1 vaccine, turning now to a group that is often forgotten, the homeless. Unsanitary living conditions make them a high risk group, and now charities are reaching out in places like Indianapolis. One group plans to hold a flu clinic for the homeless there in January. But what if someone comes to a shelter with H1N1 before then?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We will put him in isolation atmosphere here at the mission, and provide the caregivers with mask and gloves and so forth and so on.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KEILAR: A number of other charities are also planning clinics for the homeless.
HOLMES: Millions of Americans are traveling this holiday weekend and some are bringing some extra carry-ons, germs, viruses and nasty stuff.
KEILAR: Yes. This year, the H1N1 flu has a lot of passengers pretty freaked out but our Jeanne Meserve has tips for traveling without getting sick.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As if anyone needs another reason to stress about holiday travel, now H1N1 anxiety is part of the mix.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There was this lady who was sitting like across the aisle from me blowing her nose and I was like all right, I'm glad we have that distance, you know, because I don't want to get sick and there's no way you can really get away from it when you're on a plane.
MESERVE: This animation from Purdue University shows how a sneeze propels germs around an airplane. A few simple words of advice, wash your hands often, don't touch your eyes or nose, cover your cough and for Pete's sake, don't travel if you're sick.
JANET NAPOLITANO, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: Don't get on a crowded plane and spread the wealth. It's time to stay home.
MESERVE: Airlines have briefed crews about H1N1, Air Tran even enlisted a former head of the Centers for Disease Control to answer employee questions.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can I contract swine flu from loading bags?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Maurice, the bags will not transmit the flu.
MESERVE: But flight crew vigilance has inconvenienced a small number of passengers. Mistra Mostoufi had an upset stomach and was taken off a United flight.
MISTRA MOSTOUFI, UNITED AIRLINES PASSENGER: The crew does not feel good about you flying because you might be sick. I didn't know they were all physicians.
MESERVE: It turned out she did not have H1N1 but United says it removed her as a precaution to protect the health of other passengers. Despite the specter of H1N1 infection, many Thanksgiving travelers are undeterred and unconcerned.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Something you got to live with and you make adjustments and yes, can't let it stop your life.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If it's going to happen, it's going to happen and there's no reason to get, you know, so uptight about it.
MESERVE (on camera): If you get on an airplane and the person next to you was obviously sick, you can ask to have your seat reassigned, but flights are so jammed this holiday period, there might not be another seat on your flight or the next flight or even the flight after that. So you may end up in the very different kind of predicament.
Jeanne Meserve, CNN, Reagan National Airport.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: That's interesting.
KEILAR: That is. But of course expected at a time like this.
HOLMES: Yes, I didn't know you could ask. The guy next to me is sick, can I go to first class, please?
KEILAR: I'm sure that will work.
HOLMES: All right. Well, a lot of folks out there if you have not had breakfast yet stay here with us. Because in just a few minutes, you're going to find out why you might want to add maybe some bell pepper to those scrambled eggs.
KEILAR: Yes, we're going to show you which foods will help you fight the flu and a whole lot more.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HOLMES: Some of our top stories we're keeping an eye on. Up first, investigators plan on going back to Tiger Woods' house today to interview him about an early Friday morning accident he had. He was in his vehicle alone hit a fire hydrant and then hit a tree. This was all near his home in an Orlando suburb. His wife heard the crash, ran out, had to use a golf club to bang in one of the windows in the car to try to get him out. He was pulled out. Police say the accident not alcohol-related.
KEILAR: More on the Russian train accident that killed at least 26, injured about 100 people on a train carrying folks between Moscow and St. Petersburg. Rail officials think that a terrorist explosion is most likely the cause of that crash. Some of the people on the train actually hearing an explosion before that train derailed.
HOLMES: Well, also Florida police searching for a man they say opened fire on his family Thanksgiving night. The suspect's name is Paul Michael Mauresh. He is accused of killing four people including a sister who is pregnant and also his six-year-old cousin. No word just yet on a motive.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KEILAR: It seems like everyone you know is getting sick, right?
HOLMES: Yes, these days so you got to eat right, there are some fact foods. In fact, some foods that could strengthen your immune system. That sounds good. Dr. Felicia Wade, a physician is here to go over this. We have a top 10 out here, Dr. Wade. So where should we even start. We see some nuts and some basic things. We also see some cocoa, maybe people wouldn't keep in mind but what are the main ones up here that you would like to highlight?
DR. FELICIA WADE, PHYSICIAN: Well the main ones, T.J. that I'd like to highlight is really the chicken soup.
HOLMES: OK.
WADE: Because it helps decrease the mucus production when you get nasal congestion you get really congested. The chicken soup is the best thing for you and then a side salad with red bell pepper cut. Red bell pepper has twice as much vitamin C as an orange. So that's really amazing. It actually has 291 percent of the recommended daily allowance compared to an orange.
And then top it off with a side of sweet potatoes. I think most of us just finished eating them for Thanksgiving and sweet potatoes have so much vitamin A the orange color as you can see is converted to beta-carotene that's converted to retinol, which is vitamin A in your body and so that helps fight, boost your immune system and fight off colds and flu.
KEILAR: And you can just throw one in the microwave. I know I do that.
WADE: Yes.
KEILAR: So it's really so easy but then also there's young snacks here, almonds and my favorite, chocolate.
WADE: Absolutely. Chocolate is very good, obviously, garlic, and the almonds, and we don't want to forget green tea. Green tea has what we call EGCG and it's actually called epigalo galocurate, which is a very long name that sounds really fancy.
HOLMES: Very fancy.
WADE: Bottom line is just to make sure you drink your green tea to boost your immune system because your immune system is what causes you to be able to fight the flu and the last one, but certainly not the least one is your yogurt. It has probiotics, which is a good bacteria in it.
HOLMES: OK, and quickly if you can, how much of these stuff are we talking about that we need to eat to actually make a difference. You talked about putting this in a salad, the red pepper. But do you need to eat one a day or you eat the whole thing, do you need to eat ...
WADE: That's a lot.
HOLMES: Do you need to eat the soup everyday. So how much stuff are we talking about.
Guest: That's a great question. At the start of the symptoms so you would have the first day you don't feel good, you have the soup and you have a full red pepper because it has 291 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. So you would just cut it up over a green salad, put a little salt and pepper on it and you're good and pop up and microwave potato.
KEILAR: All right. Dr. Wade, thank you so much.
HOLMES: Thank you so much for that.
WADE: You're welcome.
HOLMES: Thank you, thank you. Some nice food and some news you can actually use this morning.
Brianna and I will be back at the top of the hour with more live news. Right now, want to hand it over to Gerri Willis and YOUR BOTTOM LINE.