`Inadequacies' at U.S. FDA Risk Lives, Report Says - Bloomberg.com

Bloomberg.com: Health Care: "American lives are at risk because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration lacks the funding to keep up with scientific advances, agency advisers said. "

Trade groups question new lobbying law - TheHill.com

Trade groups question new lobbying law - TheHill.com: "Trade groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce say a new lobbying law could require the release of their member lists, violating freedom of association protections granted by the Constitution."

A surprise turn in Iowa's Republican race - Los Angeles Times

A surprise turn in Iowa's Republican race - Los Angeles Times: "With 34 days remaining, the Republican presidential race in Iowa has broken wide open, as Mike Huckabee surges into contention with the longtime front-runner, Mitt Romney."

Union power struggle may shape California healthcare overhaul - Los Angeles Times

Union power struggle may shape California healthcare overhaul - Los Angeles Times: "Leaders of California's largest and most influential healthcare union are embroiled in an intense power struggle that could affect the shape of any deal lawmakers reach this year to overhaul the state's healthcare system. The SEIU California State Council -- the umbrella group for the local chapters of the Service Employees International Union -- has been one of the biggest pockets of resistance to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's attempt to require all Californians to obtain medical insurance. With 600,000 members across California and tremendous influence among Democratic legislators, SEIU can make or break any deal negotiated by Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders."

Study: Unnecessary CT scans exposing patients to excessive radiation - USATODAY.com

Study: Unnecessary CT scans exposing patients to excessive radiation - USATODAY.com: "Overuse of diagnostic CT scans may cause as many as 3 million excess cancers in the USA over the next two to three decades, doctors report today"

For Democrats, Iowa Still Up for Grabs - washingtonpost.com

For Democrats, Iowa Still Up for Grabs - washingtonpost.com: "The top three Democratic presidential contenders remain locked in a close battle in Iowa, with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) seeing her advantages diminish on key issues, including the questions of experience and which candidate is best prepared to handle the war in Iraq, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News Poll. Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) draws support from 30 percent of likely Democratic caucus-goers in Iowa, compared with 26 percent for Clinton and 22 percent for former senator John Edwards (N.C.). New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson received 11 percent. The results are only marginally different from a Post-ABC poll in late July, but in a state likely to set the tone for the rest of the nominating process, there are significant signs of progress for Obama -- and harbingers of concern for Clinton. "

Politicians go begging for cash - recordnet.com

Politicians go begging for cash - recordnet.com: "New reports made available for the first time online reveal the workings of one powerful method some officials use to bolster or cement that influence - hitting up corporations or major nonprofits for contributions directed to charities of the lawmaker's choosing."

In medical trials, lack of diversity can kill -- baltimoresun.com

In medical trials, lack of diversity can kill -- baltimoresun.com: "Many studies document health care disparities -- the lamentable failures of the medical establishment to deliver the best available care to women, minorities and other groups. But there is a flip side: When it comes to brand-new drugs and medical devices, it's sometimes good to be left out. That's because therapies that perform well in clinical trials often prove less effective -- and sometimes more dangerous -- when put to widespread use."

Boston Scientific and Consultant Settle a Lawsuit - New York Times

Boston Scientific and Consultant Settle a Lawsuit - New York Times: "Boston Scientific and the ECRI Institute have settled a potentially controversial lawsuit that could have spotlighted efforts by Boston Scientific and other medical device companies to keep the prices of their major products secret. "

CA Governor OK after 20-minute surgery - sacbee.com

CA Governor OK after 20-minute surgery - sacbee.com: "In the thick of negotiations over a statewide health care plan, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had another personal experience with the health system Saturday, undergoing brief surgery to remove the metal plate and cables that held together his right thigh after he broke his leg in a skiing accident last December.In the thick of negotiations over a statewide health care plan, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had another personal experience with the health system Saturday, undergoing brief surgery to remove the metal plate and cables that held together his right thigh after he broke his leg in a skiing accident last December."

House tax bill extends AMT relief - USATODAY.com

House tax bill extends AMT relief - USATODAY.com: "House Democrats on Friday pushed through an $80 billion bill to block the spread of a dreaded tax on middle-income people. The White House and Republicans, protesting tax increases in the bill affecting mainly investment fund managers, maintained that it would never become law."

McCain guarantees New Hampshire victory - TheHill.com

McCain guarantees New Hampshire victory - TheHill.com: "Resurgent GOP presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) guaranteed Sunday that he would win the New Hampshire primary. "

EDITORIAL: Creative Destruction - The New Republic

Creative Destruction: "In a universal coverage system, the government would seek to limit spending by forcing down payments to doctors and pharmaceutical companies, while scrutinizing treatments for cost-effectiveness. This, in turn, would lead to both less innovation and less access to the innovation that already exists. And the public would end up losing out, because, as Tyler Cowen wrote last year in The New York Times, 'the American health care system, high expenditures and all, is driving innovation for the entire world.'"

A Heart Stent Gets a Reprieve From Doctors - New York Times

A Heart Stent Gets a Reprieve From Doctors - New York Times: "A year after safety questions about drug-coated heart stents prompted doctors to change treatment for hundreds of thousands of cardiac patients, many physicians say the medical community overreacted and should now reverse course."

Perata retaliates against Republican who helped hold up budget

Perata retaliates against Republican who helped hold up budget: "In a political move right out of 'The Godfather,' state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata has ordered a hit on a former ally, Republican state Sen. Jeff Denham of Merced. Armed with $250,000, Perata launched a recall drive aimed at clipping the Central Valley lawmaker's wings just as he was getting set to run for lieutenant governor.
Now, not only is that run in doubt, but Denham is also fighting just to hold onto his seat - all because of his vote against the state budget."

Cloud over health plan talks - sacbee.com

Cloud over health plan talks - sacbee.com: "While California careens toward a $10 billion budget deficit and state departments brace for spending cuts, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democratic leaders are negotiating a $14 billion universal health care plan."

Health insurer tied bonuses to dropping sick policyholders - Los Angeles Times

Health insurer tied bonuses to dropping sick policyholders - Los Angeles Times: "Health Net's disclosures Thursday provided an unprecedented peek at a company's internal operations and marked the first time an insurer had revealed how it linked cancellations to employee performance goals and to its bottom line."

White House, Congress in a budget standoff - Los Angeles Times

White House, Congress in a budget standoff - Los Angeles Times: "The standoffs between Congress and the White House over spending and other issues are heightening partisan tensions in the Capitol and causing legislative gridlock. And it is bound to get worse as next year's campaign season approaches and both parties work to define their differences rather than seek compromises."

CA Panel wants to see more support for growth industries - SD Union-Tribune

CA Panel wants to see more support for growth industries - SD Union-Tribune: "A revived state Commission for Economic Development is calling for increased efforts to boost work force training and support in crucial growth areas for California, such as biotechnology. "

Poizner pledges $1.5 million to block term-limits measure - Los Angeles Times

Poizner pledges $1.5 million to block term-limits measure - Los Angeles Times: "SACRAMENTO -- Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner committed his personal wealth Tuesday to defeating a Feb. 5 term limits ballot initiative that would allow current legislators to stick around a few more years."

CA Health care funding at issue - sacbee.com

CA Health care funding at issue - sacbee.com: "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration Tuesday called a new universal health care proposal by Democrats a 'positive sign,' but took issue with the funding, including a proposed $2-per-pack cigarette tax."

CA Governor planning for 10 percent budget cut - sacbee.com

Governor planning for 10 percent budget cut - sacbee.com: "California's deteriorating budget could derail Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's much-anticipated 'year of education reform' – a year in which he was expected to take on the state's underperforming school system, education advocates said Tuesday."

Heart Stents Raise Cost of Care, Fail to Prolong Life in Study - Bloomberg.com: News

Heart Stents Raise Cost of Care, Fail to Prolong Life in Study - Bloomberg.com: News: "Stents used to prop open clogged arteries raised costs for treating chronic chest pain by $10,000 a person and didn't help patients live longer, a [cost-effectiveness] study found. "

Boston Scientific Sells Unit for $750M: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

Boston Scientific Sells Unit for $750M: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance: "Boston Scientific Corp. said Monday it will sell its cardiac and vascular surgery businesses to Sweden-based Gettinge Group for $750 million. Boston Scientific acquired the cardiac surgery unit in April 2006 through its $27 billion acquisition of Guidant Corp., a deal that boosted Boston Scientific's debt amid downturns in two of its heart device markets. Boston Scientific's 450-employee cardiac surgery unit, with headquarters in San Jose, Calif., and a manufacturing facility in Puerto Rico, makes technologies to aid in heart surgery. The unit generated $189 million in revenue last year."

Edwards Buying Ethicon Products

Edwards Buying Ethicon Products: "Heart valve maker Edwards Lifesciences Corp. said Monday it will buy heart valve surgery systems from Ethicon Inc.'s CardioVations division for about $27 million. The products will include EndoCPB and EndoDirect systems. Edwards said the products are expected to generate sales of $20 million in 2008. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year and to add to earnings after 2008."

Republican Nomination Most Open in Decades - washingtonpost.com

Republican Nomination Most Open in Decades - washingtonpost.com: "For the first time in nearly 30 years, there is no breakaway front-runner for the Republican nomination as the first votes of Campaign 2008 loom, and a new Washington Post-ABC News poll underscores how open the GOP race remains."

Open Access to Research Funded by U.S. Is at Issue - washingtonpost.com

Open Access to Research Funded by U.S. Is at Issue - washingtonpost.com: "A long-simmering debate over whether the results of government-funded research should be made freely available to the public could take a big step toward resolution as members of a House and Senate conference committee meet today to finalize the 2008 Department of Health and Human Services appropriations bill. "

Is there truthiness to his '08 bid? - Los Angeles Times

Is there truthiness to his '08 bid? - Los Angeles Times: "The more late-night television satirist Stephen Colbert jokes and romps his way through the early campaign season with his almost-real candidacy for president of the United States, the more some folks are intent on taking him seriously."

Governor's health care plan receives a checkup - sacbee.com

Governor's health care plan receives a checkup - sacbee.com: "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's universal health care plan finally received a hearing in the Legislature on Wednesday – 10 months after he unveiled it amid much pomp – and was greeted with bipartisan skepticism. Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, D-Los Angeles, hailed the hearing before the Assembly Health Committee "as an historic opportunity" to "engage Californians in a more positive attitude about the work that we do." But the six-hour hearing, which included a two-hour presentation by Kim Belshé, Schwarzenegger's secretary for health and human services, reaffirmed that both Democrats and Republicans remain opposed to major provisions of the plan. "