Two dead infants found last week in baby hatches in Karlsruhe and Hanover sparked debates on anonymous births in Germany. A baby boy was discovered lifeless steps away from a city hospital baby hatch in Hanover on Wednesday, while an infant girl was found dead in Karlsruhe on Thursday.

The baby hatches have been in Germany since the 19th century to provide an alternative for German women to allow their unwanted babies to live. The heated box located in German hospitals has a built-in alarm that alerts medical personnel when a baby is placed inside

New Jersey has just approved legislation that will make HIV testing mandatory for pregnant mothers and newborns.

The bill signed into law on Wednesday by acting Gov. Richard J. Codey, makes HIV testing part of the standard prenatal care for women. In cases when a mother tests positive or has an unknown HIV status, newborns should be tested under the law

Following the example of California whose state assembly approved a $14 billion fund to extend health insurance to all Californians, Michigan wants to have a similar state-wide health coverage. There are plans to launch a petition drive on January to persuade Michigan voters to approve a proposed universal healthcare plan in the state.

The campaign is led by labor and religious groups and Lieutenant Governor John Cherry. On Wednesday, former Michigan Congressman John Freeman who heads the Health Care for Michigan, will seek approval from the state election panel of petition forms

European Union-wide legislation is stretching farther in its scope. First there was the Schengen visa, which facilitated travel among European nations. By 2008, the blue card system will facilitate intra-continent transfer of migrant workers. Soon, it will be healthcare that will be EU-wide as well.

The European Commission is set to publish in January a proposal that will create a single healthcare market for members of the 27-member bloc. Under the proposal, patients can seek medical care in any member-state by 2010. If they have to undergo surgery in another country, the sick European must initially pay for the procedure, but he will be reimbursed the cost when he returns home

The state assembly gave its thumbs up for a $14.4 billion health insurance coverage for all Californians. The bill, backed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, requires all California residents to have a health insurance policy by 2010, but will provide subsidies and tax credits for those who cannot pay their premiums.

The bill will cover 3.6 million Californians, including 800,000 children whose parents cannot afford a health insurance policy