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Like many Americans, you are probably aware of the fact that Congress has been agonizing over public healthcare.

But do you know what the specifics are? If you don't and even if you do, you will want to read this post.

Forbes did a wonderful job detailing the information you would want to know about each of the healthcare bills being discussed at Capitol Hill. There is one caveat: Forbes could not discuss the Senate bill in detail because it is not public yet. That means that the specifics of that particular bill are unknown.

Here is what they said in a nutshell:

The Senate voted to give unemployed Americans some relief with an extension of time for unemployment benefits as well as an $8,000 homebuyer tax credit.

This was after weeks of debating over the issue. The legislation passed with a vote of 98 to 0.

According to CNN, "[t]he closely watched legislation would extend jobless benefits in all states by 14 weeks. Those that live in states with unemployment greater than 8.5% would receive an additional six weeks. The proposal would be funded by extending a longstanding federal unemployment tax on employers through June 30, 2011.

The measure would apply to those whose benefits will run out by Dec. 31, which is nearly two million people, according to Senate estimates. Those whose checks have already stopped would be able to reapply for another round."

There are 15 million unemployed Americans. Millions of these Americans depend on unemployment benefits.

Cell phones are causing otherwise prudent drivers to become distracted while they are driving. One particular concern among Americans has been texting while driving.

As recently discussed in Findlaw's Common Law, about 97 percent of Americans support a ban on texting while driving, according to a recent New York Times/CBS News poll.

This seems to fall right into line with a new law that has been put to the test in England recently.

The New York Times  reports that Philippa Curtis was given jail time for causing a fatal car crash that killed Victoria McBryde because she was texting while driving.

Yesterday voters decided the fate of a law that would have allowed gay marriage in the state of Maine. In a close vote, the voters decided to overturn that law with 53% of the vote. The law was passed by the state legislature and signed by Maine Governor John Baldacci in May 2009.

Civil Rights History

This was a pivotal moment for the gay rights movement. Advocates of gay marriage were hoping that this would be the first time that an electorate would uphold a law that supported same-sex marriage. Unfortunately, this was not the case.

It was also hoped that Maine would illustrate popular consensus within a state for gay marriage. Many critics of gay marriage have used California as an example of how voters do not agree with same-sex marriage. These critics will most likely use Maine as an example now too.

More and more baby boomers are facing a whole new problem during the economic downturn: ex spouses from the past asking for alimony payments or asking for an increase in alimony.

A lot of people are questioning the fairness of this system.

The Wall Street Journal  reports: "Now, the idea that a husband should continue to support his wife forever, even after the demise of their marriage--long a bedrock of divorce law--is being called into question. Pressures are mounting to change a practice that some see as outdated and unfair."

However, husbands are not the only ones who can be on the hook for alimony. Sometimes if the wife is making more than her husband at the time of divorce, she can be required to pay him alimony.

The wellness incentives offered by your employer will be restricted by the government pretty soon. Starting Nov. 21, 2009, employer offered wellness programs will have to comply with new regulations under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act. This Act is commonly known as GINA.

What is GINA?

GINA is the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act passed in Congress in 2008. It is intended to prohibit using genetic information in health insurance and employment improperly. Some improper uses are: denying health coverage, charging higher premiums based on genetic information, and using such information while hiring/firing/promoting.

Two waitresses from New York have filed a class action lawsuit in Brooklyn Federal Court against the risqué restaurant establishment for forcing them to buy and dry clean their skimpy uniforms without reimbursement.

The outfits which consist of orange hotpants, a tanktop, pantyhose and thick white socks costs less than $20 but under New York State labor law, an employer must supply its workers with uniforms if they are not regular street clothes.

Well the Hooters outfits are definitely not regular street clothes that's for sure!

Writing a will sounds like a major undertaking.  In reality, wills can be simple or complex as related to the amount of assets and instructions for distribution.  But even if you are on top of it and have valid written will, there's a chance that at some point you may want to revoke it.  Marriages can come in and out of your life, parental and childrens needs can change, your own financial situation could change, and you may identify new or different charitable causes you want to donate to.

Will revocation is based on state law.  So before you take any drastic measures, it is a good idea to contact an estate planning attorney about the process and acceptable methods of revocation. The last last thing you would want is to destroy a will, with intent to revoke, only to have another copy of it resurface later, possibly creating a question of which will is valid.

The child actors from the movie 'Slumdog Millionaire' could end up losing their trust funds if they can't maintain a regular attendance at school. Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, 11, and Rubina Ali, 10, are child stars who have been provided for in a trust fund set up by the producers of the Oscar winning movie.