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."