Grand Canyon to change 'unfair' permit system AP (November 23, 2009) FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - Getting one of the roughly 11,500 permits granted each year to backpack overnight in the Grand Canyon has become so competitive and "unfair" that managers at the national park have decided to change the system.
Pharmasset: hepatitis C drug trial will continue AP (November 23, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Pharmasset Inc. said Monday that it will continue enrolling patients in a clinical trial of RG7128, a drug that is designed to treat the liver disease hepatitis C.
Former House Speaker Gingrich sets Ohio town hall AP (November 23, 2009) CINCINNATI (AP) - Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich has scheduled the first of a planned series of town halls on jobs for Cincinnati next week.
Formerly conjoined twins leave intensive care AP (November 23, 2009) SYDNEY (AP) - Conjoined Bangladeshi twins who were separated in a marathon surgery last week left intensive care on Monday and were adjusting well, hospital officials said.
Denied relief, W.Va. schools ready to sue AP (November 23, 2009) CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - West Virginia will likely be sued by most - if not all - of its 55 county school boards, after the Legislature shot down Gov. Joe Manchin's offer of short-term relief from retiree health costs.
GlaxoSmithKline pulls application for new drug use AP (November 23, 2009) TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline PLC says it's withdrawing its application for U.S. approval of a drug to prevent prostate cancer.
Cigna, WellPoint upgraded on costs, reform details AP (November 23, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - An analyst for JPMorgan upgraded shares of WellPoint Inc. and Cigna Corp. Monday, saying the stocks should trade higher as the details of a federal health care reform bill come into focus.
AP Poll: Debt stress turns shoppers into Scrooges AP (November 23, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - A lot more Americans are feeling stressed out by debt this holiday season, raising the glum likelihood they'll behave like Scrooge rather than Santa.
October home sales rise 10.1 pct from September AP (November 23, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Home sales surged for the second month in a row in October, climbing to the highest level in 2 1/2 years as first-time buyers rushed to take advantage of an expiring tax credit.
GlaxoSmithKline pulls application for new drug use AP (November 23, 2009) TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline PLC said Monday it is temporarily withdrawing its application for U.S. approval of a drug to prevent prostate cancer.
Raptor's genetic disorder drug meets study goals AP (November 23, 2009) NOVATO, Calif. (AP) - Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp. said Monday its developing treatment for the genetic disorder nephropathic cystinosis met key goals in a midstage study.
Medical marijuana finds social outlet in Ore. cafe AP (November 23, 2009) PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - At the newly opened Cannabis Cafe, people sit around taking tokes from a "vaporizer" - a contraption with a big plastic bag that captures the potent vapors of heated marijuana. Glass jars hold donations of dried, milky-green weed, and the cafe serves up meals and
SF health care a model during national debate AP (November 20, 2009) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - This city did not wait for Washington's health care overhaul. Most uninsured adults here are already reaping the benefits of a government-run health care program - seeing doctors, filling prescriptions, and getting surgeries they could not otherwise afford.
Warner Chilcott prices secondary stock offering AP (November 20, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Warner Chilcott PLC, which makes women's health and dermatology products, said a secondary offering of 20 million shares priced at $22.25 per share.
Study: CT scans rule out heart attacks faster AP (November 18, 2009) ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - A CT scan - a kind of super X-ray - provides a faster, cheaper way to diagnose a heart attack when someone goes to the emergency room with chest pains, a new study suggests.
Vaccines on horizon for AIDS, Alzheimer's, herpes AP (November 18, 2009) MARIETTA, Pa. (AP) - Malaria. Tuberculosis. Alzheimer's disease. AIDS. Pandemic flu. Genital herpes. Urinary tract infections. Grass allergies. Traveler's diarrhea. You name it, the pharmaceutical industry is working on a vaccine to prevent it.
Investigators release video of Utah refinery blast AP (November 18, 2009) WOODS CROSS, Utah (AP) - Surveillance camera video shows a 100-foot fireball ripping through a Utah refinery during a gas explosion that knocked a nearby home off its foundation earlier this month.
Ex-Kiss drummer: Breast cancer not just for women AP (November 18, 2009) SPRING LAKE, N.J. (AP) - Lying in bed one night in 2007, Peter Criss felt something strange: a small lump on his left breast.
AP Poll: Gov't health plan divides public AP (November 18, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - An Associated Press poll finds more people support creation of a new government-run health insurance plan to compete with the private insurance market.
Colo. medical pot suppliers will have to pay taxes AP (November 18, 2009) DENVER (AP) - Colorado is gearing up to officially tax and regulate medical marijuana dispensaries, a move lawmakers say amounts to legal recognition of a growing industry.
Small firms scrapping, scaling back health plans AP (November 18, 2009) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Faced with high health insurance costs, a North Carolina brokerage passed the buck on to its employees, a Texas public relations firm switched from group insurance to stipends, and a Missouri travel agency let its workers walk away instead paying for insurance.
Neb. court revives Union Pacific worker's lawsuit AP (November 17, 2009) OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Union Pacific Railroad will have to defend itself from a lawsuit by a former employee who says the company should have done a better job protecting her against West Nile virus.
Fatal ammonia release at CF terminal kills driver AP (November 17, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - CF Industries Holdings Inc. said a fatal release of anhydrous ammonia at its Pine Bend, Minn., terminal killed one truck driver and injured another.
Business foes of health care revamp ramp up effort AP (November 17, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Business foes of health care overhaul legislation are outspending supporters at a rate of 2-to-1 for TV ads as they grow increasingly nervous over a final bill.
AP POLL: Tax the rich to pay for health bill AP (November 17, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - When it comes to paying for a health care overhaul, Americans see just one way to go: Tax the rich.
Ex-HealthSouth CEO's house, lots to be auctioned AP (November 17, 2009) BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - A $4 million estate in central Alabama that belonged to former HealthSouth chief executive Richard Scrushy is going to be auctioned next month.
Army suicides to top 2008, but progress reported AP (November 17, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Soldier suicides this year are almost sure to top last year's grim totals, but a recent decline in the pace of such incidents could mean the Army is starting to make progress in stemming them, officials said Tuesday.
Green card seekers won't have to get HPV vaccine AP (November 17, 2009) DALLAS (AP) - Immigrant girls and women will no longer have to be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted virus to get their green cards.
Maryland gets 2 health-care grants worth $5M AP (November 16, 2009) LA PLATA, Md. (AP) - Southern Maryland is getting nearly $5 million in federal stimulus money for health-care projects.
AIDS patients to president: Send more money south AP (November 16, 2009) JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - When Robin Webb lived in New York City, he was treated by HIV specialists and had access to counseling and nutritional programs. Now he lives in Mississippi, where few of those services exist.
Advice to Congress: Be clear, fair on health care AP (November 16, 2009) (AP) - What would you tell lawmakers about overhauling health care? People participating in discussion groups related to an Associated Press poll of Americans shared the messages they would deliver.
RehabCare prices share offering at $24 apiece AP (November 13, 2009) ST. LOUIS (AP) - RehabCare Group Inc., a provider of physical therapy services, said Friday it has priced its public offering of 5.4 million shares of common stock at $24 each.
Feds ignored Medicare scam warnings for years AP (November 13, 2009) MIAMI (AP) - For three years, the federal agency in charge of preventing Medicare fraud repeatedly ignored internal watchdog warnings about swindlers stealing millions of dollars by scamming several programs, documents show.
Pelosi: Health bill would limit abortion access AP (November 13, 2009) CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - Speaker Nancy Pelosi is agreeing with critics who say an amendment included in the health care bill passed by the House would additionally limit access to abortion.
Coventry says Michael Stocker is joining board AP (November 13, 2009) BETHESDA, Md. (AP) - Health insurer Coventry Health Care Inc. said Friday that Michael Stocker, the chairman of New York City Health and Hospitals Corp., will join its board of directors.
FDA backs off oyster ban after strong criticism AP (November 13, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration is backing off a plan to ban raw oysters from the Gulf of Mexico during warm weather.
RNC health insurance plan covers abortions AP (November 13, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The Republican National Committee's health insurance plan covers elective abortions for its employees, an option Republicans strongly oppose in health overhaul legislation that Democrats are trying to push through Congress.
Number of wounded troops in Afghanistan increasing AP (November 11, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Far from winding down, the numbers of U.S. soldiers coming home wounded have continued to swell. The problem is especially acute among those fighting in Afghanistan, where nearly four times as many troops were injured in October as a year ago.
AMA votes to seek repeal of 'don't ask,don't-tell' AP (November 10, 2009) CHICAGO (AP) - The nation's largest doctors' group has agreed to join efforts to repeal the military's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy.
Md. grocery store evacuated after 14 fall ill AP (November 10, 2009) BETHESDA, Md. (AP) - Six people are on their way to the hosptial after a strange smell sickened more than a dozen people at a Maryland grocery store.
Scanning invisible damage of PTSD, brain blasts AP (November 10, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Powerful scans are letting doctors watch just how the brain changes in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and concussion-like brain injuries - signature damage of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Medical association backs health system reform AP (November 10, 2009) HOUSTON (AP) - The American Medical Association on Monday rebuffed dissident members and voted to stick with support for ongoing health reform efforts, while reiterating wariness over proposals that threaten doctors' pocketbooks and independence.
UK starts study on using human DNA in animals AP (November 10, 2009) LONDON (AP) - British scientists begin a new study on Tuesday to consider how human DNA is used in animal experiments and to determine what the boundaries of such controversial science might be.
Details on health care bills in House, Senate AP (November 06, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - House Democratic leaders are offering a $1.2 trillion, 10-year health overhaul bill that expands coverage to millions of Americans. House Republicans have unveiled their alternative, after months of criticizing the Democrats' approach.
House Dems push for votes on health bill AP (November 06, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - House Democrats are scrambling to secure enough support to pass President Barack Obama's historic health overhaul initiative, working to soothe last-minute concerns from rank-and-file Democrats ahead of a make-or-break vote.
Northern Calif. town bans medical marijuana shops AP (November 05, 2009) RED BLUFF, Calif. (AP) - A small Northern California city has banned medical marijuana growing and dispensing, a move opponents say will bring lawsuits.
CVS Caremark 3Q profit up but loses big contracts AP (November 05, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - CVS Caremark Corp. said Thursday its third-quarter profit jumped 39 percent, but shares plunged after the company said its struggling Caremark pharmacy benefits management unit lost $2 billion in business over the last few months.
House Dems in final push on health care AP (November 05, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The House is steaming toward a historic vote on President Barack Obama's remake of the U.S. health care system, with Democratic leaders increasingly confident and the powerful seniors' lobby AARP about to get on board.
Army: 12 die in dual shootings at Fort Hood, Texas AP (November 05, 2009) FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) - The U.S. Army says 12 people have been killed and 31 wounded in a shooting rampage on the Fort Hood Army base in Texas. Lt. Gen Bob Cone said at a news conference that one shooter has been killed and two suspects were apprehended on Thu
Majority leader: House will pass health bill AP (November 05, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Majority Leader Steny Hoyer predicts the House will pass historic health care overhaul legislation Saturday to extend coverage to tens of millions of uninsured Americans and ban insurance companies from turning people away.
Anti-abortion activists arrested at Pelosi's suite AP (November 05, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. Capitol Police have arrested a dozen anti-abortion activists outside House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office after a massive protest against the Democrats' health care bill.
IMS Health to be bought for $4 billion by TPG, CPP AP (November 05, 2009) NORWALK, Conn. (AP) - Health care data company IMS Health Inc. said Thursday it is being bought by investment funds TPG Capital and CPP Investment Board for $4 billion.
Large NYC employers getting swine flu vaccine AP (November 05, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Some of New York City's largest employers - including Wall Street firms like Goldman Sachs and big universities - have started receiving doses of the much-in-demand swine flu vaccine for their at-risk employees.
AP source: Fort Hood shooting suspect Army major AP (November 05, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Officials say a shooting suspect at Fort Hood has been identified as Maj. Malik Nadal Hasan, who they say was an Army mental health professional.
Health care dispute: Costs of defensive medicine AP (November 04, 2009) BOSTON (AP) - Dr. James Wang says he tries to tell his patients when extra medical procedures aren't necessary. If they insist, though, he will do it - not so much to protect their health as his own practice.
Woman in wrong-embryo case hopes to see child soon AP (November 04, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - An Ohio woman who was implanted with the wrong embryo says she hopes to visit soon with the baby boy she delivered and turned over to his biological parents.
Merck, now No. 2 drugmaker, set for future buys AP (November 04, 2009) TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - The new Merck & Co. has become the world's second-biggest drugmaker overnight with a huge acquisition, but it still has a fat wallet and plans more wheeling and dealing.
Vote clears way for Ill. abortion notification law AP (November 04, 2009) CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois is allowed to start enforcing a long-debated parental notification law for teen girls seeking abortions after more than a decade of legal challenges.
Officials: Swine flu confirmed in Iowa cat AP (November 04, 2009) DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A 13-year-old Iowa cat has been infected with swine flu, veterinary and federal officials said Wednesday in what is believed to be the first case of the H1N1 virus in a feline in the United States.
Bug spray likely killed infant, injured 2 in SC AP (November 03, 2009) COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Bug spray that produces a fog to kill insects is likely to blame for the death of a 10-month-old South Carolina boy, and his 2-year-old brother was critically injured by the fumes, authorities said Monday.
Premature births worsen US infant death rate AP (November 03, 2009) ATLANTA (AP) - Premature births, often due to poor care of low-income pregnant women, are the main reason the U.S. infant mortality rate is higher than in most European countries, a government report said Tuesday.
Dakotas 2 largest health care systems merge AP (November 03, 2009) FARGO, N.D. (AP) - The two largest health systems in the Dakotas became one Monday, forming what officials said is the nation's largest not-for-profit rural health care provider.
Medco Health 3Q profit jumps 13.5 percent AP (November 03, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Medco Health Solutions Inc., the largest U.S. pharmacy benefits manager, said Tuesday its profit rose 13.5 percent as the company gained new clients and benefited from price inflation of brand-name drugs.
Medco Health 3Q profit jumps 13.5 percent AP (November 03, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Medco Health Solutions Inc., the largest U.S. pharmacy benefits manager, said Tuesday its profit rose 13.5 percent as the company gained new clients and benefited from price inflation of brand-name drugs.
Poor countries see troubling rise in breast cancer AP (November 03, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Nurses were training women in rural Mexico to examine their breasts for cancer when one raised her hand to object. If she lost her breast, Harvard public health specialist Felicia Knaul recalls the woman saying, "My man would leave me" - and with him, the family's income.
Humana 3Q profit jumps on government programs AP (November 02, 2009) LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Health insurer Humana Inc. rode its strong government business in posting a 65 percent jump in third-quarter profit Monday, as bulging membership and premiums from Medicare Advantage overcame a lackluster commercial segment hampered by the weak economy.
Flex spending accounts face hit in health overhaul AP (November 02, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Those tax-free spending accounts that you and your co-workers use to help pay for dental work, insurance copayments or over-the-counter drugs face a hit under the health overhaul bills in Congress - unless a coalition that includes a powerful union, insurers and others can stop it.
CDC: Contaminated beef may be linked to 2 deaths AP (November 02, 2009) ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) - Two deaths and 26 other illnesses may be linked to fresh ground beef that has been recalled because it might be contaminated with E. coli bacteria, a federal health official said Monday.
Health care plan hits rich with big tax increases AP (November 02, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The typical family would be spared higher taxes from the House Democratic plan to overhaul health care, and their low-income neighbors could come out ahead.
Court rejects Pa. buffer law on abortion clinics AP (November 02, 2009) PITTSBURGH (AP) - A federal appeals court has struck down a Pittsburgh ordinance that created two types of buffer zones around abortion clinics.
New Boston Scientific stent approved in Europe AP (November 02, 2009) NATICK, Mass. (AP) - Medical device maker Boston Scientific said Monday it received European marketing approval for its latest drug-coated stent technology, which prevents blocked arteries.
Funds dwindling to oversee Utah's hazardous waste AP (November 02, 2009) SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Businesses that handle some of Utah's most dangerous materials are being inspected less often because of dwindling funds to pay for the work.
Schering-Plough reports data on hepatitis C drug AP (November 02, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Schering-Plough Corp. said its experimental hepatitis C drug boceprevir helped eliminate the virus in about half of patients who did not respond to standard treatments.
Helped by swine flu, Clorox 1Q profit rises 23 pct AP (November 02, 2009) CHICAGO (AP) - The Clorox Co. said Monday profit rose 23 percent in its fiscal first quarter, as consumers paid higher prices and stocked up on disinfecting products because of worries about the flu.
Human Genome reports positive data on lupus drug AP (November 02, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Human Genome Sciences and GlaxoSmithKline said Monday their experimental lupus treatment passed another key goal on its path to potentially becoming the first new drug for the disease in decades.
Novavax seasonal flu vaccine meets study goal AP (November 02, 2009) ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) - Biotechnology company Novavax Inc. said Monday its seasonal flu vaccine candidate met key goals in a midstage clinical trial.
Univ. of Mich. will settle case with ex-student AP (October 30, 2009) DETROIT (AP) - The University of Michigan has dropped an appeal of a $1.7 million verdict and agreed to settle a lawsuit with a former dental student who convinced a jury that she was illegally kicked out of school.
Obama lifts ban on US entry for those with HIV AP (October 30, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama said Friday the U.S. will overturn a 22-year-old travel and immigration ban against people with HIV early next year. The order will be finalized on Monday, Obama said, completing a process begun during the Bush administration.
Mich. sued for cutting off adult dental benefits AP (October 30, 2009) LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of 400,000 adult Medicaid recipients whose dental benefits were eliminated by Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm to save money.
Health care businesses at risk in House overhaul AP (October 30, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The health care overhaul bill produced by House Democrats would impose an array of new taxes, fees and government mandates on major players in the health industry, including insurers, doctors and drugs and medical devices makers.
DC station airs demo of bare breast self-exams AP (October 30, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The ABC affiliate here is airing a two-part series that takes a close - and unobscured - look at breast self-exams. The series is airing during the fall "sweeps" period critical for a TV station's ad revenue, prompting concern by a parental watchdog group. But WJLA insists it's not just a naked attempt to boost the ratings.
CDC: Swine flu kids' deaths jump to 114 AP (October 30, 2009) ATLANTA (AP) - Swine flu has caused at least 19 more children's deaths - the largest one-week increase since the pandemic started in April, health officials said Friday.
EPA settles with Detroit co. over hazardous waste AP (October 30, 2009) DETROIT (AP) - Federal officials have reached an agreement with a Detroit company over alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations at two oil recycling operations.
CDC: Up to 6 million swine flu cases in few months AP (October 30, 2009) ATLANTA (AP) - As many as 5.7 million Americans were infected with swine flu during the first few months of the pandemic, according to estimates from federal health officials.
CDC: Swine flu kids' deaths jump to 114 AP (October 30, 2009) ATLANTA (AP) - Heath officials say swine flu has caused at least 19 more children's deaths - the largest one-week increase since the pandemic started in April.
Doctor wrote about kissing Anna Nicole in diary AP (October 29, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - One of Anna Nicole Smith's doctors worried about his own drug use and his professionalism after he kissed her and prescribed her highly addictive drugs, according to his diary, which was read in court.
Gov't insurance plan wouldn't draw the masses AP (October 29, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Congressional budget umpires say a government health insurance plan that's been a rallying cry for Democrats would not be a big draw with the public.
THE INFLUENCE GAME: Doctors' lobby in tricky spot AP (October 28, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Does the AMA matter in the health care debate? Congress is beginning to have its doubts, despite the medical association's deep pockets and platoons of lobbyists.
Democrats struggle to find unity on health plan AP (October 28, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrats are still struggling to find a strategy that will let them push a health care overhaul through the Senate and fulfill President Barack Obama's goal of signing a bill this year.
Preventing preemies: New rules limit induced labor AP (October 27, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Labor is becoming less of a late-night surprise, but some hospitals are starting to tighten the rules for elective deliveries - because some babies are being delivered too early.
Alarming weight gain seen in kids on psych drugs AP (October 27, 2009) CHICAGO (AP) - Children on widely used psychiatric drugs can quickly gain an alarming amount of weight; many pack on nearly 20 pounds and become obese within just 11 weeks, a study found.
CDC: Swine flu vaccine outlook improving AP (October 27, 2009) ATLANTA (AP) - U.S. health officials say more than 22 million doses of swine flu vaccine are now available, and they predict most Americans should soon find it easier to get their dose.
Health Management shares fall following 3Q report AP (October 27, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Shares of hospital operator Health Management Associates Inc. fell Tuesday after the company said its third-quarter profit surged on an admissions boost but reported a dip in pricing.
No guarantees on Senate health bill's public plan AP (October 27, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The focus of the health overhaul debate now shifts to whether Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid can persuade a handful of moderate senators to get behind his new proposal for a government-sponsored insurance plan.
Long-term care insurance program gains in House AP (October 27, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - House health care legislation expected within days is likely to include a new long-term care insurance program to help seniors and disabled people stay out of nursing homes, senior Democrats say.