Insurers Seek Bigger Reach in Coverage - New York Times

Insurers Seek Bigger Reach in Coverage - New York Times: "Acknowledging that too many people simply cannot obtain health insurance on their own, the insurance industry plans on Wednesday to propose a series of steps the companies say would let more individuals, even those who have health problems, obtain coverage."

Consumers Union Says Medical Device Ads Should Do More to Warn Patients - WSJ.com Health Blog

Consumers Union Says Medical Device Ads Should Do More to Warn Patients - WSJ.com Health Blog: "The Consumers Union filed a petition with the FDA recommending that consumer ads for implantable medical devices should include information about the estimated lifespan of the device, potential side effects and associated infection risks. The petition also criticized the consulting fees that device firms pay surgeons. An AdvaMed spokesman said the association is reviewing the petition."

Nation's Hospital Bill Jumped by 7% in 2005 - WSJ.com

Nation's Hospital Bill Jumped by 7% in 2005 - WSJ.com: "A handful of high-cost and high-volume conditions helped drive the national hospital bill up 7% in 2005, to $873 billion, a record high and nearly double 1997 spending adjusted for inflation, a federal agency reported. The report, from the federal Agency for Health Care Research and Quality, analyzed figures from the most recent year available and found in part that triple-digit percentage growth in the amount charged for blood infections, nonspecific chest pain, respiratory failure, back pain and arthritis over the past decade contributed to the increase. . . .The five costliest categories were coronary-artery disease, pregnancy and delivery, newborn-infant care, heart attack and congestive heart failure, followed by pneumonia and arthritis."

With Democrats in control, trial lobby makes headway - TheHill.com

With Democrats in control, trial lobby makes headway - TheHill.com: "The trial bar, on the defensive when Republicans ran Congress, is moving to make up lost ground on a variety of fronts now that Democrats are in charge, including through a bill-by-bill campaign to keep federal agencies from overriding tougher state consumer protection laws. The bar’s main lobbying group, the American Association of Justice, formerly known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, has already had some successes this year in its effort to block what’s referred to as federal regulatory preemption."

Lawmakers Seek Inquiry on F.D.A. Rejection of Cancer Drug - New York Times

Lawmakers Seek Inquiry on F.D.A. Rejection of Cancer Drug - New York Times: "Representatives Dan Burton, Michael H. Michaud and Tim Ryan said they wanted an inquiry into potential conflicts of interest for two members of the advisory panel who had argued against approval of Provenge."

Budget gap may scuttle healthcare plan - Los Angeles Times

Budget gap may scuttle healthcare plan - Los Angeles Times: "Legislative leaders said Thursday that more taxes would be needed to fill a projected $14-billion budget gap next year, and the state Senate president said a healthcare overhaul -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's priority this year -- will have to wait. Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez (D-Los Angeles) said lawmakers would have to consider raising a host of taxes, including those on Internet purchases and on foreign companies that do business in California. 'We've got to close those tax loopholes,' Nuñez told reporters at a news conference. 'We can generate billions by doing that.'"

US, China sign deals to safeguard food - NewsFlash - OregonLive.com

US, China sign deals to safeguard food - NewsFlash - OregonLive.com: "The United States and China signed two deals Tuesday to safeguard the quality of food and drugs ranging from pet food to certain types of antibiotics imported into the U.S. from China."