Pelosi's popularity takes a hit - Los Angeles Times

Pelosi's popularity takes a hit - Los Angeles Times: "A new poll of about 2,000 California residents reports that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's standing in her homestate is headed in the wrong direction: her approval rating has fallen 13 percentage points since March, to 39% from 52%."

Richardson favored in congressional runoff - Los Angeles Times

Richardson favored in congressional runoff - Los Angeles Times: "Assemblywoman Laura Richardson (D-Long Beach) outpolled Brezenoff and 16 others in the special election Tuesday to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald. But because Richardson did not received more than 50% of the vote, the top Democratic vote-getter must face a runoff against the other parties' top candidates Aug. 21."

Opinion - Daniel Weintraub: Californians support major change in health care - sacbee.com

Opinion - Daniel Weintraub: Californians support major change in health care - sacbee.com: "Although nearly nine out of 10 Californians who have health insurance say they are satisfied with their coverage, a large majority of voters would make major changes in the way health care is delivered in the state, according to a new independent poll to be released today."

Richardson leads Oropeza in race for Congress - Los Angeles Times

Richardson leads Oropeza in race for Congress - Los Angeles Times: "Assemblywoman Laura Richardson pulled ahead of her closest Democratic rival, state Sen. Jenny Oropeza, and was leading a field crowded with 16 other candidates in early returns from Tuesday's special primary election to fill the congressional seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald."

New Poll Finds That Young Americans Are Leaning Left - New York Times

New Poll Finds That Young Americans Are Leaning Left - New York Times: "Young Americans are more likely than the general public to favor a government-run universal health care insurance system, an open-door policy on immigration and the legalization of gay marriage, according to a New York Times/CBS News/MTV poll. The poll also found that they are more likely to say the war in Iraq is heading to a successful conclusion."

AMA sinks $2M into Medicare ad campaign - TheHill.com

AMA sinks $2M into Medicare ad campaign - TheHill.com: "The American Medical Association (AMA) is spending $2 million on television ads this month in a campaign to get Congress to reject a looming cut in its Medicare payments."

5-4 Supreme Court Weakens Curbs on Pre-Election TV Ads - washingtonpost.com

5-4 Supreme Court Weakens Curbs on Pre-Election TV Ads - washingtonpost.com: "The Supreme Court yesterday substantially weakened restrictions on the kinds of television ads that corporations and unions can finance in the days before an election, providing special interest groups with the opportunity for a far more expansive role in the 2008 elections."

Bloomberg Is a Wild Card for the Nation - New York Times

Bloomberg Is a Wild Card for the Nation - New York Times: "He no longer brags about his dating exploits or shows off his impolitic side. He has largely reined in his temper with reporters and loosened his manner with voters. But Michael R. Bloomberg, New York’s once-improbable mayor, would still be a highly unlikely presidential contender."

Court Takes Up Suit Against Medtronic: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

Court Takes Up Suit Against Medtronic: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance: "The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider whether federal regulatory approval of medical devices shields manufacturers from most product liability lawsuits in state courts."

Clinton, Giuliani fortify leads in California - San Jose Mercury News

Clinton, Giuliani fortify leads in California - San Jose Mercury News: "All the campaign visits to California from Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Rudy Giuliani appear to be paying off, according to a new poll released Monday, and Democrat Barack Obama - despite being greeted like a rock star at recent Bay Area rallies - is falling farther behind."

U.S. Is ‘Really in Trouble,’ Says Bloomberg, Sounding Like a Candidate - New York Times

U.S. Is ‘Really in Trouble,’ Says Bloomberg, Sounding Like a Candidate - New York Times: "Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, sounding every inch the presidential candidate he insists he is not, brought his message of pragmatic, nonpartisan leadership to California on Monday, telling a crowd of Google employees that the nation was “really in trouble.”"

Romney still leads Republican fundraising race - Los Angeles Times

Romney still leads Republican fundraising race - Los Angeles Times: "The former Massachusetts governor's diverse business, political and religious relationships put him ahead in the money contest if not in national polls."

A Democrat in '08! But not that one - Los Angeles Times

A Democrat in '08! But not that one - Los Angeles Times: "Polls show voters support the party, but individual candidates -- particularly Clinton -- are another story."

Wiki politics cedes power to the people - Los Angeles Times

Wiki politics cedes power to the people - Los Angeles Times: "A user-controlled site hosts exchanges between Utah legislators and constituents, showing the Web's potential to influence policy on other levels."

Interest groups use ads to show their commitment - SignOnSanDiego.com

Interest groups use ads to show their commitment - SignOnSanDiego.com: "In 1994, opponents of a plan to provide universal health coverage had the airwaves to themselves. Their famous ad featuring Harry and Louise, a fictional middle-class couple who complained about a sweeping national health plan spearheaded by Hillary Rodham Clinton, helped sink the proposal. Now the firm that produced the ad, Goddard Claussen, is back on the job, running a $2 million effort by Blue Cross of California warning about the dangers of overhauling California's health care system. "

Editorial: Uncle Sam, M.D. - WSJ.com

Editorial: Uncle Sam, M.D. - WSJ.com - Dr. Scott Gottlieb says drug-safety legislation in Congress would give the FDA the authority to control the way drugs are distributed by drugmakers and prescribed by physicians, but that is authority he says the agency should not have. Gottlieb says there will be problems if the government imposes "rigid solutions on a diverse healthcare system ill-equipped to deal with one-sized approaches to care, and on patients and doctors that require latitude to exercise individual preference in their treatment plans."

Budget deadline certain to be missed - sacbee.com

Budget deadline certain to be missed - sacbee.com: "Republicans, Dems still 'not close' to agreement on state spending plan. 'We are optimistic that we will be able to send the governor the budget on time with strong bipartisan support,' Núñez said in a statement. In drafting the biggest bill of the year that will steer the state over the next 12 months, Democrats are trying to prevent social welfare cuts proposed by the governor while Republicans are trying to break the state's habit of spending more than it takes in."

Health care interests donate to Speaker's term-limits campaign - Capitol Weekly

Health care interests donate to Speaker's term-limits campaign - Capitol Weekly: "As the Capitol debate intensifies over California's health care system, key players are pouring money into a campaign backed by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez to ease term limits. The latest donation, $35,000, came Wednesday from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the well-heeled pharmaceutical coalition made up of some of the world's largest prescription drug makers. "

Trial lawyers’ win on suit provision threatens FDA bill - TheHill.com

Trial lawyers’ win on suit provision threatens FDA bill - TheHill.com: "The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the pharmaceutical and medical device industries may pull their support of a bill because of language added to it under pressure from the trial lawyers’ lobby."

Large employers call for health, benefits overhaul - TheHill.com

Large employers call for health, benefits overhaul - TheHill.com: "A coalition of large employers yesterday unveiled a healthcare and fringe benefits reform proposal aimed at reeling in costs borne by the private sector and providing workers with benefits they can maintain if they change jobs."

A Gamers Guide To Redistricting - New York Times Blog

A Gamers Guide To Redistricting - New York Times Blog: "Developers of The Redistricting Game and supporters of redistricting reform showed off the interactive tool Wednesday on Capitol Hill. The game, which was created by a team from the University of Southern California, allows players to try their hand at drawing political district lines in three fictional states."

Hillary Clinton on Spielberg's approved list - Los Angeles Times

Hillary Clinton on Spielberg's approved list - Los Angeles Times: "Spielberg's endorsement underscores what Hollywood politicos have been saying for several weeks: Members of the largely Democratic entertainment industry are getting over their crush on Obama and are now looking at Clinton as a more likely presidential prospect."

House grinds to a halt in rift over earmarks / Republicans stall Homeland Security spending bill

House grinds to a halt in rift over earmarks / Republicans stall Homeland Security spending bill: "For the second straight day, minority House Republicans ground the House to a standstill Wednesday as they drove home their objections to a Democratic plan to deny a floor vote on lawmakers' thousands of pet projects. "

Asia: Japan Promises More Regulatory Staff For Device Approvals

Asia: Japan Promises More Regulatory Staff For Device Approvals: "Japan's medical device regulatory body says it will hire more premarket review staffers and clarify which types of device changes require approval.Japan's medical device regulatory body says it will hire more premarket review staffers and clarify which types of device changes require approval."

Federal Preemption Defense Under Fire In Draft House Bills - Medical Devices Today

Federal Preemption Defense Under Fire In Draft House Bills - Medical Devices Today: "'Clearly, above and beyond all of the other issues that we have concerns about in the draft, ... preemption is absolutely critical to our industry and that is the one we are spending the most time on,' stated a high-level industry insider who did not wish to be identified. 'We think the implications are very strong and very concerning.'"

Bush no money magnet - TheHill.com

TheHill.com - Bush no money magnet: "Financial projections for the President’s Dinner tonight confirm that Republican confidence in the president is in a state of collapse."

Giuliani lists 12 campaign vows - Los Angeles Times

Giuliani lists 12 campaign vows - Los Angeles Times: "Rudolph W. Giuliani rolled out a list of 12 campaign promises as part of an agenda-setting strategy for his Republican presidential campaign Tuesday, but he did not mention Iraq, gun control or gay marriage."

On a mission for health care - sacbee.com

On a mission for health care - sacbee.com: "Michael Moore, the filmmaker and provocateur, rode to the California State Capitol on Tuesday, delivering impassioned -- and sharply barbed -- pleas for guaranteed health care.Michael Moore, the filmmaker and provocateur, rode to the Capitol on Tuesday, delivering impassioned -- and sharply barbed -- pleas for guaranteed health care."

Clinton Owes Lead in Poll To Support From Women - washingtonpost.com

Clinton Owes Lead in Poll To Support From Women - washingtonpost.com: "In the most recent Washington Post-ABC News poll, Clinton led Obama by a 2 to 1 margin among female voters. Her 15-point lead in the poll is entirely attributable to that margin."

Approval of Congress lowest in a decade - Los Angeles Times

Approval of Congress lowest in a decade - Los Angeles Times: "Only about a quarter of Americans approve of how it's doing its job, a poll shows; most see 'business as usual.'"

Giuliani retains GOP lead for presidential nomination as Fred Thompson gains - Los Angeles Times

Giuliani retains GOP lead for presidential nomination as Fred Thompson gains - Los Angeles Times: "A Times/Bloomberg Poll shows conservatives embracing the former Tennessee senator, who has yet to enter the race. Clinton still leads Democrats, but trails Giuliani."

FDA called 'cozy' with drugmakers - USATODAY.com

FDA called 'cozy' with drugmakers - USATODAY.com: ""The FDA has essentially become the government affairs office of the pharmaceutical industry," Hinchey said in a statement, which called the relationship between the agency and industry "far too cozy and inappropriate." Hinchey is the author, and Bart Stupak, D-Mich., the chief co-sponsor of an FDA reform bill that would prohibit the agency from collecting fees from the companies it regulates. Instead, the money would be deposited into the general fund of the U.S. Treasury."

Heart-Disease Death Rate Fell by Half Over 20 Years - WSJ.com

Heart-Disease Death Rate Fell by Half Over 20 Years - WSJ.com: "The rate of death from heart disease in the U.S. was cut in half between 1980 and 2000 thanks to better medical treatment and a reduction in the incidence of some risk factors, a new study shows."

Republican lawmakers opposing Schwarzenegger's health plan - San Jose Mercury News

Republican lawmakers opposing Schwarzenegger's health plan - San Jose Mercury News: "As CA Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger pursues his No.1 goal this year of remaking California's health care system, he may have to do so with little or no help from fellow Republicans. . . . Both Schwarzenegger and Democrats would require most businesses to either provide health care for employees or pay a percentage of payroll to the state - a proposal to which Republicans seem resolutely opposed."

Health care for millions advances - sacbee.com

Health care for millions advances - sacbee.com: "Democrats in each house of the Legislature passed separate bills Thursday to guarantee medical care for millions of uninsured Californians. Republicans lambasted the Democratic health care bills as the largest "tax increase" in state history, totaling more than $5 billion."

Giuliani Health Proposal Seeks Individual Coverage - WSJ.com

Giuliani Health Proposal Seeks Individual Coverage - WSJ.com: "Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, moving his presidential campaign beyond its signature issue of national security, is preparing to lay out a health-care plan that would mark a significant change in how health insurance is paid for in the U.S. Mr. Giuliani, currently leading opinion polls for the 2008 Republican nomination, wants to move tens of millions of people from employer-based health insurance to the individual market as a way of giving people more coverage choices"

House panel to consider FDA bill on drug safety - Yahoo! News

House panel to consider FDA bill on drug safety - Yahoo! News: "A House of Representatives subcommittee is expected to take up legislation next week meant to bolster the Food and Drug Administration's ability to monitor prescription drug side effects, the panel's chairman said in a letter released on Thursday. "

Device Industry Intensifies Efforts To Protect IP, Modify Patent Reform Bills - Medical Devices Today

Device Industry Intensifies Efforts To Protect IP, Modify Patent Reform Bills - Medical Devices Today: "With legislation moving quickly in Congress, the device industry is stepping up its efforts to be heard in the long-running debate on reforming the U.S. patent system. According to medical technology stakeholders, controversial provisions in the Patent Reform Act of 2007 - including limitations on damages that can be awarded for infringement and a new channel by which patents can be challenged long after they are granted - could weaken the value of patents and jeopardize firms' access to venture capital."

Majority Believe New FDA Powers Will Improve Drug Safety, Poll Finds - WSJ.com

Majority Believe New FDA Powers Will Improve Drug Safety, Poll Finds - WSJ.com: "Public confidence in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration shows improvement in a new poll, but nearly half of Americans still feel the agency does a fair or poor job in ensuring the safety and efficacy of new prescription drugs. Forty-five percent of Americans . . . said the FDA is doing an excellent or good job in ensuring the safety and efficacy of new prescription drugs. That's up from 36% in a poll conducted last year in the aftermath of national settlements over the painkiller Vioxx and safety recalls from stents and other medical devices. In 2004, 56% said the FDA was doing an excellent or good job."

Poll: Obama, Clinton now virtually tied - USATODAY.com

Poll: Obama, Clinton now virtually tied - USATODAY.com: "Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama are essentially tied for the Democratic presidential nomination, according to a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll, the first time that the New York senator hasn't clearly led the field. The Illinois senator bests Clinton by a single percentage point, 30%-29%, if the contest includes former vice president Al Gore. Clinton bests Obama by a single point, 37%-36%, if it doesn't include Gore."

Cardiologist is watchdog over FDA - The Boston Globe

Cardiologist is watchdog over FDA - The Boston Globe: "Cleveland Clinic cardiologist Steven Nissen, son of a physician and husband of a journalist , calls himself the 'point on the end of the spear' during drug safety debates, raising awareness on matters he says the FDA has overlooked. The FDA adviser says his goal is drug safety; critics say he's bucking to run the agency."

Presidential long shots still plugging away - Los Angeles Times

Presidential long shots still plugging away - Los Angeles Times: "George McGovern, Jimmy Carter, Michael Dukakis and Bill Clinton were national unknowns before winning the Democratic presidential nominations in, respectively, 1972, 1976, 1988 and 1992. Carter and Clinton went from faint blips in the early polls to the White House. 'What every unknown candidate is relying on is they want to be hit by lightning,' said former Rep. John Kasich, R-Ohio, who never surpassed single digits in Gallup polling in his short-lived 2000 presidential try."

A boost for stem-cell studies - San Jose Mercury News

A boost for stem-cell studies - San Jose Mercury News: "Researchers caring for the state's flourishing populations of human embryonic stem cells will soon move into larger and more sophisticated digs, thanks to grants worth $50 million approved Tuesday by the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine."

Survey: Americans Worried About Health Care - CQ HealthBeat News

Survey: Americans Worried About Health Care - CQ HealthBeat News: "A majority of Americans say they are worried about their ability to afford health care services and would be willing to pay higher taxes to support universal health coverage, according to a recent national survey. "

Three-Term Republican Sen. Craig Thomas Loses Battle Against Cancer - washingtonpost.com

Three-Term Republican Sen. Craig Thomas Loses Battle Against Cancer - washingtonpost.com: "Wyoming Sen. Craig Thomas, a three-term conservative Republican who stayed clear of the Washington limelight and political catfights, died yesterday. He was 74. Gov. Dave Freudenthal, a Democrat, will appoint a successor from one of three finalists chosen by the state Republican Party."

CA Rep Leader Villines offers remap proposal - sacbee.com

CA Rep Leader Villines offers remap proposal - sacbee.com: "Touting it as the only plan for 'truly independent' redistricting, Assembly Republican leader Mike Villines unveiled new legislation Monday to alter how California draws political districts."

FDA establishes risk communication advisory committee - MarketWatch

FDA establishes risk communication advisory committee - MarketWatch: "The Food and Drug Administration said Monday that it is establishing a new advisory committee to assist it in better communicating the risks and benefits of drugs and products regulated by the agency."

Editorial: A Route To Better Health Care - washingtonpost.com

Editorial: A Route To Better Health Care - washingtonpost.com: "Government records show that 75 percent of health-care costs and seven out of every 10 deaths are attributable to chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Obesity, which has doubled in 30 years, is by itself responsible for 30 percent of the increase in health-care costs during that period."

Democrats Focus on Iraq In Contentious Second Debate - washingtonpost.com

Democrats Focus on Iraq In Contentious Second Debate - washingtonpost.com: "Democratic presidential candidates clashed sharply over Iraq in the second debate of the campaign Sunday night, with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) rejecting criticism from former senator John Edwards (N.C.) that they had failed to offer strong leadership to end the war."

Hundreds of CA bills face Friday deadline to pass first house - sacbee.com

Hundreds of CA bills face Friday deadline to pass first house - sacbee.com: "For most of this year, meetings of the full state Assembly and Senate have been rather brief affairs, filled with award ceremonies, eulogies for departed constituents and votes on the relatively few bills that emerged early from legislative committees. That changes this week, when more than 600 bills face a Friday deadline to pass their first house or wait until 2008 for a chance to reach the governor's desk. Both houses plan long sessions that could, at least in the Assembly's case, stretch into the night to clear their clogged agendas."

CA Lawmakers tackling health care this week - San Jose Mercury News

CA Lawmakers tackling health care this week - San Jose Mercury News: "Legislators could take a big stride toward another historic session if their votes match their ambitions this coming week, with such complex and controversial issues as health care reform, physician-assisted suicide and gay marriage - among scores of others - awaiting their fate in the Senate and Assembly."

Doctors turn toward fee-based practices - ContraCostaTimes.com

Doctors turn toward fee-based practices- ContraCostaTimes.com: "As several states push plans for providing universal health care, concierge doctors nationwide are choosing to see fewer patients and focusing their professional skills on those who are willing to pay for more personalized care. The trend worries health care advocates who say it further divides the country into those who can afford good medicine and those who can't."

New MN law puts focus on hospital infections · Duluth News Tribune

New MN law puts focus on hospital infections · Duluth News Tribune: "In the latest step in the transparency movement, Minnesota hospitals will soon have to report publicly on patient infections that directly result from surgeries or other hospital care. The new requirement, approved last month by the Legislature, takes effect in 2009."

Pollsters beginning to count cell users

Pollsters beginning to count cell users: "About 13 percent of all households in the country have 'cut the telephone cord' in favor of cell phones, according to federal figures released last month. That puts this group out of reach of traditional surveys that rely heavily on calls to standard landline phones. "

Donations can't fail to catch CA Speaker Nuñez's eye - Los Angeles Times

Donations can't fail to catch CA Speaker Nuñez's eye - Los Angeles Times: "Groups with bills before the Assembly give $1.68 million to fund speaker's bid to adjust term limits."

Editorial: Give FDA post-approval oversight authority - washingtonpost.com

Editorial: Give FDA post-approval oversight authority - washingtonpost.com: ". . .the FDA should not be in the business of regulating by suspicion. It always must balance potential dangers against potential usefulness of a drug. . . . If anything, the episode makes the case for a bill that Sens. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) recently shepherded through the Senate. . . . The legislation would give the FDA clear authority to order post-approval studies if the regulator got a whiff of undocumented risks."

Can consumer ads boost defibrillator sales?

Can consumer ads boost defibrillator sales?: "'Direct-to-consumer [advertising] is a waste,' declared Morgan Stanley analyst Glenn Reicin in a note to investors last month. Reicin cited Medtronic's campaign, as well as an earlier one launched by the former Guidant Corp., now part of Boston Scientific Corp."