States' wallets get thinner

States' wallets get thinner: "A slumping housing market and skimpier sales tax collections will force as many as 20 states to go back and patch holes in their budgets in 2008, the nation’s governors reported Wednesday (Dec. 5)."

Medtronic reveals records request - Star Tribune

Medtronic reveals records request - Star Tribune: "Medtronic Inc. said in a quarterly filing Tuesday that it received a letter in late October from the U.S. attorney's office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania requesting documents relating to the Fridley company's relationship with an unnamed customer. The letter also asks for information regarding 'payments or things of value'' provided by the company to physicians, physician groups, hospitals, medical practices and other related entities in connection with the purchase of its cardiac resynchronization devices and heart stents."

Congress to send children's health bill to Bush - Yahoo! News

Congress to send children's health bill to Bush - Yahoo! News: "After waiting a month, Democratic leaders in Congress said on Friday they would formally send a bill expanding a popular children's health-care program to the White House despite a veto threat. "

Edwards Ad Attacks Drug Companies, Lobbyists - The Caucus - Politics - New York Times Blog

Edwards Ad Attacks Drug Companies, Lobbyists - The Caucus - Politics - New York Times Blog: "“You’re going to sit at a table with drug companies and oil companies and they’re going to give away their power? Right. You have to take their power away from them.”"

Losing Ground In Iowa, Clinton Assails Obama - washingtonpost.com

Losing Ground In Iowa, Clinton Assails Obama - washingtonpost.com: "With a new poll showing her losing ground in the Iowa caucus race, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) mounted a new, more aggressive attack against Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) on Sunday, raising direct questions about his character, challenging his integrity and forecasting a sharp debate over those subjects in the days ahead."

FDA Considers Easing Curbs on Drug Makers - washingtonpost.com

FDA Considers Easing Curbs on Drug Makers - washingtonpost.com: "The Food and Drug Administration is considering allowing pharmaceutical makers to provide doctors with medical journal studies of unapproved uses for drugs, a move critics say would undermine long-standing restrictions on marketing medicines for 'off-label' purposes. "

Case against Medtronic goes before Supreme Court - Dec. 3, 2007

Case against Medtronic goes before Supreme Court - Dec. 3, 2007: "The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday in a case that could have major implications for Medtronic Inc. and other makers of medical devices. . . . At issue is whether patients can sue makers of catheters and other devices through state tort law, when those devices have been approved by federal regulators. "