Details of his parole licence were not put on police computers, mental health services did not pass on information about his personality disorder and his history of domestic violence was not shared with the probation service.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Wales | South West Wales | Failings found over baby's murder

The House of Representatives, which leans further left than the Senate, has been adamant that it would not pass any health-reform bill that did not include a public plan, while the only bill that seemed likely to emerge from the Senate was one that pointedly excluded this feature.

ECONOMIST: American health reform

If the USDA or a court determines that a biotech seed or crop or food does not pass environmental or health muster, it will be pulled from the market and banned.

FORBES: Exposing the Anti-GMO Legal Machine: The Real Story Behind the So-Called Monsanto Protection Act

It said it did not have a policy on vaccination and, although it would pass on information from health officials, it would not "advise parents to vaccinate children".

BBC: Totnes schools not promoting MMR 'are neglectful'

Yet President Obama still considered the group important enough to pay a house call to its annual House of Delegates meeting in Chicago, in recognition of the fact that while the AMA may not be able to dictate the terms of what type of health overhaul can pass Congress, it could still help gum up the process.

NPR: What Happened To The AMA's Clout?

And we saw that on Thursday afternoon when they were not able to pass the biggest spending bill of the year, which governs labor, health, education, most of the social programs of the federal government in one bill.

NPR: Political Fireworks Erupt in Washington over Iraq

"Even though there's a lot of scientific evidence... if they're not under the very few health claims which have been approved, we will no longer be able to pass that information on, " he said.

BBC: Guernsey laws on health foods go out to consultation