The Anchor Rhode Island College
Vol. 82, Issue #22
March 24, 2010
Anchor Photo/Hayden James
RIC
students show support at the
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After long battle, Obama signs healthcare reform bill By Tara Lafond Anchor Staff Writer
President Barack Obama signed the sweeping healthcare reform that has been the subject of nearly nonstop debate into law Tuesday. The law will bring near-universal coverage to millions of currently uninsured Americans, including many young people. Obama’s signing of the bill is the final step in a year-long battle that has defined the beginning of his presidency. “It’s a good thing that health care passed,” said RIC freshman Rodolfo Fernandez.
“Some people just don’t have the money to pay for a doctor’s visit.” Even as 12 states now plan to file lawsuits over the bill, and Republicans still stand strongly against it, the signing was celebrated by Democrats. They believe that this law is the greatest social change in the last 50 years. “It’s been easy at times to doubt our ability to do such a big thing, such a complicated thing, to wonder if there are limits to what we as a people can still achieve,” Obama said. The new law, which had passed the Senate last Dec. 24,
by brandishing signs of the men’s basketball team players. Story page
passed after a very close vote in the House of Representatives Sunday. The final $940 billion bill is expected to extend health insurance coverage to 32 million additional Americans. It also will force Americans to carry some form of health insurance or pay a fine. “I think that the new bill passed can be both a negative and a positive thing, it all comes down to whether or not the people of this country abuse it or not,” said RIC freshman Seamus Lafferty. Obama added, “I’m signing See HEALTH Page 8
32.
RIC and URI join in nursing building project By David Okon Anchor Staff Writer
In order to save taxpayer money, RIC and URI are planning a joint construction project in order to build a School of Nursing building near the Jewelry District in Downtown Providence. The 19-acre plot of land has been dubbed the “knowledge district,” as many Providencearea colleges have shown interest in building there. The area is newly opened up for development by the relocation of I-195. The building will bring RIC and URI
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nursing students closer to the Rhode Island and Women & Infants Hospitals locations that many of them already use for internships. RIC President Nancy Carriuolo sent an e-mail message to faculty and staff Monday afternoon after questions arose following a suggestion made in a Providence Journal editorial on Sunday that the RIC and URI nursing programs be merged. “That statement has caused some alarm since nursing is one of RIC’s strongest programs,” See NURSING Page 8