Double Alcohol Taxes, then Pass the Pinot

Here's what we're checking out today:

Alcohol Tax: Doubling the current tax on alcohol could lower alcohol-related deaths by about 35 percent and deliver other public health benefits, according to new research released at the American Public Health Association meeting in Denver.

Health Reform: Under the new federal health reform law, there are no limits on what hospitals can charge insurers for medical care. How does that affect our health care costs? Sarah Varney reports for KQED's California Report and Kaiser Health News.

Environmental Health: The tiny California town of Hinckley, made famous in the movie "Erin Brockovich", once again faces the prospect of tainted groundwater, reports Louis Sahagun for the Los Angeles Times.

Smoking World: New York Times investigative reporter Duff Wilson examines Big Tobacco's efforts to stymie cigarette marketing restrictions around the world as it aims for new international consumers.

Heart Health: Moderate drinking appears to help the hearts of one surprising group of patients: men who already have had heart bypass surgery. Pass the Pinot!