Related: Insurer under fire for cutting coverage

CNNMoney rates the top 50 careers with great pay and growth prospects.

Top 5 Jobs – Average Income:

1. Systems Engineer – $87,100
2. Physicians Assistant – $90,900
3. College Professor – $70,400
4. Nurse Practitioner – $85,200
5. IT Project Manager – $98,700

Highest Paid:
Anesthesiologist – Median income = $408,000

Least Stressful:
Education training consultant – Median income = $77,800

Read the full story »

Editor's Note: With the White House and the Senate considering new measures for unemployment assistance, Wednesday’s American Morning audience suggested that “If President Obama and Congress want to do something effective to aid Americans then they could force Credit Card Companies to stop increasing ... interest rates to 30% for no reason other than pure greed.”

• Duane: Saw Christine Romans report about additional efforts to deal with 10% unemployment. If President Obama and Congress want to do something effective to aid Americans then they could force Credit Card Companies to stop increasing our interest rates to 30% for no reason other than pure greed. Creating laws some time ago to reform credit practices like this and then giving the credit card companies a period of months before the changes are imposed has given them a license to steal. Lord knows they have stolen enough already and thus the reason for the reform. What they are doing to every American with a credit card balance is criminal.
• Linda: Please do a little a little research and report the facts on unemployment benefits (and broadcast these facts every 5 minutes) I have been out of a job since August "08, I was only entitled to 13 weeks UC here in Fla due to the fact that I was on FEDERAL FAMILY LEAVE ACT from Ohio then had to move here so the time frame that Unemployment looks at – says only -I had no income for over 4 months.....my extension was then for 7 weeks and then 11 weeks= 31 weeks, but also the reality is-- the extensions are for a "percent" of original claim-or- " UP TO " 13 weeks or 20 weeks....QUIT SUGAR COATING WHAT OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS are NOT DOING FOR THE AMERICAN HUMAN BEING !!!!!!!!!!! My benefits ran out again last week and when they do implement another extension I will already be homeless AGAIN... yes, for the 3rd time in 1 year...with this eviction will tally up a total of $1,895 in lost security deposits.....which I no longer have a car because I didn't have $1,200 to pay for a new fuel pump (the part $400.) the remainder in labor charges (RAPE). WE need to clean up our own country and quit worrying about the rest of the world, we need to have access to our own money instead of letting our elected officials squander it..........WAKE UP CNN, report the reality of the mess -our own government- has created for us that used to work for a living !!!!!! I would give you my phone #, but I can't afford a phone. Which is why I assume you won't report the sad facts of reality...tell me , is it job security or just plain ignorance to the reality of how Americans are living in this pitiful country I USED to be proud of ???

What do you think the president and Congress should do about the unemployment rate?

It's been one year since former President Bush signed the troubled asset relief program. We're a year past the crisis and many economists believe the troubled asset relief program did help to prevent a total meltdown in financial markets. Investor confidence is stabilized but banks are still failing and the latest unemployment numbers are staggering. Tell us what you think.

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/10/05/art.autism.generic.cnn.jpg caption="Children at the Marcus Autism Center in Atlanta, Georgia, receive instruction on March 5, 2009."]

(CNN) - A study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics indicates about 1 percent of children ages 3 to 17 have autism or a related disorder, an increase over previous estimates.

"This is a significant issue that needs immediate attention," Dr. Ileana Arias, deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. "A concerted effort and substantial national response is warranted."

The study used data from the federal government's 2007 national survey of children's health. The survey of parents was conducted by the Health Resources and Services Administration, and by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The results are based on a national telephone survey of more than 78,000 parents of children ages 3 to 17.

In the study, parents were asked whether a health care provider had ever told them their child had an autism spectrum disorder. ASD is a group of brain disorders comprising autism and two less severe disorders: Asperger's disorder and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified.

Read the rest of this entry »

With the 2016 Olympic decision just hours away, Friday’s American Morning audience was more interested in domestic politics.  Carol Costello’s “Just Sayin’” Third Parties segment had some suggesting new parties, such as Federalist; others argued that no third party would ever exist until independents had a “viable” voice in government.  Another contingent blamed corporate donations to politicians, believing that “outlawing” this would put an end their influence.

• Molly:  A  third party that would truly balance the thrust of the Democrats in a positive way would be a Federalist Party; one that champions the idea of States that carve their own image in today's clay, so to speak. In the case of Health Care for instance, States could be challenged in the coming year to create their own in the spirit and image of the current demands: no exclusions, affordability. Like auto insurance. A conference could determine if a national model had been achieved or if the state's could each keep their own, with a massive national fund backing them all, managed by the present industry, which in all fairness supports tons of people who don't make the odious rules that created this debacle. Small is often the way to go; States should determine more of what goes on in their interior, and confer in Washington to improve all of their decisions but maintain their individuality. We all imagine with enlightened leaders at the helm, how great an Ideal Universal Health System; but in some twisted future hands the whole country could have to give up Health when we decide to invade some other trumped up enemy. Think twice, Stay Small; Vote Federalist.
• JD:  Third Party?  Until this country has a viable independent party, the American people will never have a true, effectual voice.  Only a massive third party vote will sway the platform of the Tweedle Dee/Tweedle Dum two-party system, run by the rich and powerful.  "We the People" want our voices back!
• Robert:  To Carol Costello, Hi Carol, Just Sayin’ ~ The Republican Party has morphed into George Wallace’s Ultra-Conservative American Party of the 1960s. Eventually, the moderate Republicans and the conservative Democrats will become independent. The Democratic Party will remain Liberal. What we really need is to outlaw ALL CORPORATE DONATIONS to Congress! It is impossible to not be influenced by Millions of dollars in campaign contributions. On a different note, I do not understand why people have such a fear of Big Government, yet welcome the All Encompassing power and abuse of large Corporate America? […]
• SK:  Why doesn't  the media (CNN)  give more airtime to  political parties other than the Dems. and Repubs? Stop being lazy!

FULL POST