Patrick Donges

This morning, the U.S. Supreme Court announced their majority decision to uphold most of the provisions of President Barack Obama’s landmark health care reform policy, including the mandate that all citizens purchase health insurance.

What does this ruling mean for the health, economy, and presidential politics of the country?

It's Pets and Vets on this edition of Vox Pop with Dr. Ron Scharf of the Animal Hospital of Niskayuna, New York. WAMC’s Ray Graf hosts.

Just a day after the Supreme Court of the United States decided on two cases and a day before what is expected to be their ruling on President Barack Obama’s landmark health care reform bill, today we’re looking at the Supreme Court’s caseload and we want your take on these recently released and upcoming decisions.

Joining us on this edition of Vox Pop with expert analysis is Union College Assistant Professor of political science (and WAMC “professor in residence”) Brad Hays. WAMC’s Alan Chartock hosts.

It’s summertime. 

That means kids swimming in the pool, going to camp and – of course - smoking their first cigar.

Shocked?  Every year, more than 1,000,000 kids try their first cigar.  And, if the cigar companies have their way, you won’t be able to do much about it.

After intensive lobbying by cigar companies, Congress is about to vote on an amendment that would exempt many cigars from any regulation at all. 

Joining us on this edition of Medical Monday on Vox Pop is St. Peter’s Hospital Chief of Medicine Mark Pettus. He’s a clinical associate professor of medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and the former medical director of the Kripalu Institute for integrated healing, located in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. WAMC’s Alan Chartock hosts.

On this edition of Vox Pop, we welcome renowned astronomer Bob Berman to the studio to field all of your Astronomy-related questions.

One of the best-known and most widely-read astronomers in the world, Bob can translate complex scientific concepts into terms that are easily understood by the casual stargazer, yet meaningful to the most advanced researchers. WAMC’s Ray Graf hosts.

On this edition of Vox Pop, it’s the Copyright Forum: Paul Rapp specializes in intellectual property law, including copyright, trademark, internet, art and entertainment matters. He’s also an adjunct professor of copyright and art and entertainment law at the Albany Law School.

Bill Westwood is one of the country's leading medical illustrators, and a professional member and past-president of the Association of Medical Illustrators.

We're talking baseball on this edition of Vox Pop. WAMC's Ray Graf joins WAMC's Alan Chartock to talk standings, stats, steroids and R.A. Dickey.

On this edition of Medical Monday is Dr. Eric Plakun of the Austen Riggs Center – a board certified psychiatrist and psychoanalytic psychotherapist practicing in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Dr. Plakun is a graduate of Hofstra University, and received his M.D. from the Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons. He’s a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a member of its assembly, chair of the APA committee on psychotherapy by psychiatrists, and a fellow of the American College of Psychiatrists. WAMC’s Alan Chartock hosts.

Joining on this edition of Vox Pop is arborist Fred Breglia, gardener Greg Ward, for this June edition of WAMC’s gardening program.

Our dynamic gardening duo is here for your questions on everything from chrysanthemums to conifers. WAMC’s Ray Graf hosts.