Boston Scientific stent sales part of federal probe - Boston Business Journal:

Boston Scientific stent sales part of federal probe - Boston Business Journal:: "U.S. Justice Department officials are conducting a civil investigation of both Boston Scientific Corp. and other competitors regarding their sale of bile-duct stents. U.S. Justice Department officials are conducting a civil investigation of both Boston Scientific Corp. and other competitors regarding their sale of bile-duct stents."

USDA Rejects 'Downer' Cow Ban - washingtonpost.com

USDA Rejects 'Downer' Cow Ban - washingtonpost.com: "Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer told Congress yesterday that he would not endorse an outright ban on 'downer' cows entering the food supply or back stiffer penalties for regulatory violations by meat-processing plants in the wake of the largest beef recall in the nation's history."

Bloomberg Says He Won’t Run but Will Be Active - New York Times

Bloomberg Says He Won’t Run but Will Be Active - New York Times: "Bringing an end to a long flirtation with a bid for the White House, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has officially closed the door on a presidential candidacy this year."

CA Speaker-elect takes the stage - sacbee.com

CA Speaker-elect takes the stage - sacbee.com: "Cheers, jokes and standing ovations marked Assemblywoman Karen Bass' ascension to speaker-elect of the lower house Thursday, but once the smiles died, speculation ran rampant. The first African American woman to be named leader of a California legislative house, Bass savored the moment while others pondered whether she will differ in style or substance from outgoing Speaker Fabian Núñez."

Schwarzenegger wants to close some 'tax loopholes' - Los Angeles Times

Schwarzenegger wants to close some 'tax loopholes' - Los Angeles Times: "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger eased his long-held opposition to more taxes Thursday, saying some of California's $16-billion budget gap could be erased by reducing or eliminating billions of dollars in state tax breaks for businesses and individuals."

Law not enough to police device maker-doctor ties - washingtonpost.com

Law not enough to police device maker-doctor ties - washingtonpost.com: "U.S. law is not sufficient to police medical device companies that pay surgeons consulting fees, and give them gifts, travel and other perks that may influence medical decisions, a watchdog for the Health and Human Services Department told Congress on Wednesday."

Medicare Spending to Surge - WSJ.com

Medicare Spending to Surge - WSJ.com: "WASHINGTON -- Government spending on health care could nearly double by 2017 to more than $2 trillion, according to a new federal study, reflecting a surge that promises to complicate the campaign debate about health care."

Court Considers Protecting Drug Makers From Lawsuits - New York Times

Court Considers Protecting Drug Makers From Lawsuits - New York Times: "WASHINGTON — Less than a week after issuing a sweeping ruling that bars most lawsuits against medical device makers, the Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in the first of two cases that could determine whether drug makers receive similar protection."

FDA Readying Device Identifier Rule

FDA Readying Device Identifier Rule: "The Food and Drug Administration is “busily writing” a proposed rule to establish a unique identifier on the label of medical devices, according to Jay Crowley, senior advisor for patient safety at the agency."

Governor's plan would cut Medi-Cal rolls-San Francisco Chrnoicle

Governor's plan would cut Medi-Cal roll-San Francisco Chronicle "Now, with his health care expansion on the rocks and the state facing a multibillion-dollar budget gap next year, Schwarzenegger has proposed a plan to make most enrollees of state-sponsored medical care fill out more eligibility paperwork as a means of saving money - a move that critics say is insidious."

Justices Add Legal Complications to Debate on F.D.A.’s Competence - New York Times

Justices Add Legal Complications to Debate on F.D.A.’s Competence - New York Times: "THE Supreme Court’s ruling on Wednesday limiting lawsuits by patients over medical devices comes just as independent groups have raised questions about the Food and Drug Administration’s ability to ensure the safety of these products."

Medical Device Ruling Redraws Lines on Lawsuits - New York Times

Medical Device Ruling Redraws Lines on Lawsuits - New York Times: "The Supreme Court’s decision Wednesday protecting many types of medical device makers from personal injury lawsuits began rippling through the courts and law offices almost immediately."

Clinton, Obama Debate Health: Mandates and More - wsj.com

Clinton, Obama Debate Health: Mandates and More - wsj.com: "Obama and Clinton both have plans that would change the health insurance landscape in a big (and largely similar) way — most notably, perhaps, by giving everyone the option of buying into Medicare-like insurance. At last night’s debate, Obama said, as he has said before, that his plan and Clinton’s plan are 95% similar."

Supreme Court Shields Medical-Device Makers - washingtonpost.com

Supreme Court Shields Medical-Device Makers - washingtonpost.com: "The Supreme Court yesterday protected the makers of medical devices that have passed the most rigorous federal review standards from lawsuits by consumers who allege that the devices caused them harm."

Patient Medical-Device Suits Curbed by Top U.S. Court

Patient Medical-Device Suits Curbed by Top U.S. Court : "The U.S. Supreme Court put new limits on lawsuits against Medtronic Inc. and other medical-device makers, saying patients generally can't sue over products cleared for sale under the most intensive federal review process."

Hospitals Target Lurking Latex - WSJ.com

Hospitals Target Lurking Latex - WSJ.com: "Amid mounting concern about allergic reactions, many hospitals are trying to virtually eliminate the rubber-based material, which has long been used to make surgical gloves, catheters and thousands of other medical products."

Stupak Turns Up the Heat on FDA - WSJ.com

Stupak Turns Up the Heat on FDA - WSJ.com: The Wall Street Journal reports in more detail about Michigan Rep. Bart Stupak’s call to overhaul the FDA. The article notes Stupak has been both personally and professionally focused on the FDA for many years, questioning the FDA’s ability to protect Americans from unsafe drugs. He is chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the House's powerful Energy and Commerce panel, which has jurisdiction over the FDA, and is at the center of an aggressive effort by congressional Democrats to spotlight what they say are problems with the Bush administration's position on consumer-safety issues. Stupak's subcommittee is probing the FDA's handling of Baxter's heparin, and holding hearings on the safety of imported food, medicines and medical devices.

PATENTS: Bill Would Increase Costs, Undermine Innovation - American Health Line

PATENTS: Bill Would Increase Costs, Undermine Innovation - American Health Line: "Provisions of a patent overhaul bill (S 1145) would increase patent costs and risks and undermine innovation, according to an analysis released on Thursday by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, CQ HealthBeat reports (CQ HealthBeat, 2/14)."

Obama, McCain win Wisconsin primary - Los Angeles Times

Obama, McCain win Wisconsin primary - Los Angeles Times: "MILWAUKEE -- Barack Obama swept to a double-digit victory in the Wisconsin primary Tuesday, turning aside a fierce effort by Hillary Rodham Clinton and further propelling his campaign as the Democrats head toward epic contests in Ohio and Texas. Arizona Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, defeated former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, 55% to 37%, in their party's contest in Wisconsin."

F.D.A. Seeks to Broaden Range of Use for Drugs - New York Times

F.D.A. Seeks to Broaden Range of Use for Drugs - New York Times: "The rules would allow drug and device makers to provide doctors with copies of medical journal articles that discuss product uses that have not been vetted or approved by the F.D.A. The rules also say that drug companies do not have to promise to adequately test the unapproved use discussed in the article."

Hospitals now must report serious staph cases to officials

Hospitals now must report serious staph cases to officials: "California for the first time is requiring that hospitals report to local health authorities certain kinds of staph infections that result in death or a stay in the intensive-care unit."

Key House Democrat says head of FDA should resign -- chicagotribune.com

Key House Democrat says head of FDA should resign -- chicagotribune.com: "A key House Democrat said Thursday that the head of the Food and Drug Administration should resign in the wake of a probe over an antibiotic and news of a blood thinner linked to allergic reactions and four deaths."

MEDICARE: Bush Administration To Propose Overhaul Legislation - American Health Line

MEDICARE: Bush Administration To Propose Overhaul Legislation - American Health Line: "The Bush administration is planning to propose legislation that would address excess spending in Medicare and go beyond the 'trigger' provision in the 2003 Medicare law to health care in general, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said at a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on Wednesday, CQ HealthBeat reports (Reichard, CQ HealthBeat, 2/13)."

Inquiry Set on Health Care Billing - New York Times

Inquiry Set on Health Care Billing - New York Times: "Mr. Cuomo announced a sweeping investigation into whether health insurance companies have systematically forced patients to pay more than they should when using doctors and hospitals outside their insurer’s networks."

Romney endorses former rival McCain - Los Angeles Times

Romney endorses former rival McCain- Los Angeles Times: "His delegates would almost clinch the Republican presidential nomination for the Arizona senator. Trailing candidate Mike Huckabee vows to fight on."

Hillenbrand unit receives subpoena - Boston.com

Hillenbrand unit receives subpoena - Boston.com: "According to the filing, Hill-Rom is being investigated by the Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General and has been asked to supply documents covering the period from 1999 to the present. The investigation involves 'claims for payment for certain durable medical equipment, including specialized support beds,' the filing said."

Stupek Plans to Refer Ketek Probe to Justice Department-Congress Daily

Stupek Plans to refer Ketek Probe to Justice Department CongressDaily "House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Bart Stupak, D-Mich., said Tuesday he plans to elevate a committee investigation to the Justice Department regarding whether Sanofi-aventis Pharmaceuticals knowingly submitted false clinical trial information to FDA."

Chinese Factory Linked to Drug Under Inquiry in U.S. - New York Times

Chinese Factory Linked to Drug Under Inquiry in U.S. - New York Times: "A Chinese factory that has not been inspected by the Food and Drug Administration is the source for the active ingredient of a critical blood-thinning drug whose production was suspended this week after 350 patients reported ill effects from it. At least four people died after being given the drug, heparin."

Heat is on Health Insurers- Los Angeles Times

Heat is on Health Insurers- Los Angeles Times: "With medical costs rising, record numbers of people losing their coverage and healthcare at the top of the domestic agenda, health insurers found themselves Wednesday in the cross-hairs of regulators, elected officials and law enforcement in California and across the nation."

Lawmakers Introduce Universal Health Care Plan Modeled After Federal Employee Health Benefits Program - Kaisernetwork.org

Lawmakers Introduce Universal Health Care Plan Modeled After Federal Employee Health Benefits Program - Kaisernetwork.org: "Reps. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) and Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) on Tuesday proposed legislation that would create a nationwide health insurance plan similar to the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, available to all citizens and documented immigrants, CongressDaily reports. Under the plan, uninsured residents would be required to enroll in a health plan that meets national standards and would be responsible for up to 28% of premiums. Employers would be required to either offer health insurance to their employees or contribute a payroll assessment of up to $12,000 per employee to finance the government-sponsored health insurance. Individuals' and businesses' contributions would be subsidized on a sliding scale, under the plan. "

MA backs medical-device center at UMass-Lowell - The Boston Globe

MA backs medical-device center at UMass-Lowell - The Boston Globe: "The state will spend $4 million to help the University of Massachusetts at Lowell build an 'innovation center' to assist entrepreneurs in developing, testing, and commercializing medical devices, a key segment of the state's burgeoning life-sciences sector.
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Current Health & Medical News - Los Angeles Times

"Doctors Balk At Request for Data" - Los Angeles Times "Physicians object to a letter from Blue Cross seeking information that could lead to policy cancellations."

"Where Candidates Stand on Health Care"- washingtonpost.com

Where The Candidates Stand on Health Care" - washingtonpost.com"Here are the Democratic and Republican front-runners' stands on several key health questions: "

FDA to Reclassify Device Software

FDA to Reclassify Device Software: "The Food and Drug Administration has published a proposed rule to reclassify the regulatory status of certain software used with medical devices. The rule would affect medical devices used in provider organizations and in patient homes."

Rules remain murky for medical devices - San Francisco Business Times:

Rules remain murky for medical devices - San Francisco Business Times:: Medical devices and diagnostics should be subject to examination by independent review organizations in addition to any FDA evaluations, according to a new analysis. "Device manufacturers have been able to get away with a much lower level of evidence in getting their devices to market," said a professor from the University of California, San Francisco.

Clinton replaces campaign manager - Los Angeles Times

Clinton replaces campaign manager - Los Angeles Times: "After losing all of the weekend's caucuses and primaries, Hillary Rodham Clinton announces that a longtime trusted aide will take the place of Patti Solis Doyle in running her campaign."

Medicare trend raises eyebrows over costs - Los Angeles Times

Medicare trend raises eyebrows over costs - Los Angeles Times: "Many large employers are struggling with the obligation to cover the rising medical costs of retirees, but last year officials in Michigan found a way to save at least $40 million on care for retired teachers and other public-school workers: Send the bills to Washington."

Proposed Budget Increase for FDA Aimed at Boosting Safety Measures - WSJ.com

Proposed Budget Increase for FDA Aimed at Boosting Safety Measures - WSJ.com: "The White House's 2009 budget request for the Food and Drug Administration would focus the bulk of the proposed $130 million budget increase on food-safety initiatives and on monitoring the safety of drugs and medical devices already on the market."

Keeping it clean, safe for patients - sacbee.com

Keeping it clean, safe for patients - sacbee.com: "A Sacramento-area hospital is emerging as a nationwide leader in the push to eliminate deadly infections picked up by unsuspecting hospital patients. Sutter Roseville Medical Center has overhauled the way it uses catheters inserted into patients' veins. The thin tubes are a common entryway for potentially toxic bacteria. The hospital has not had a single bloodstream infection among more than 3,000 of these patients for the past two years, as a result of the changes, said Sophie Harnage, the nurse who manages the hospital's infusion unit and developed the new system."

FDA caution, 'research drought' cuts drug approvals - USATODAY.com

FDA caution, 'research drought' cuts drug approvals - USATODAY.com: "Federal approvals of new drugs last year sank to the lowest in five years, a drop some industry analysts attribute to more cautious regulators and less innovation by drugmakers."