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Viewpoints: Administration 'finally' comes around on Plan B; 'Legal loophole' creates another compounded drug scare

Reluctantly yielding to a federal-court decision, the Obama administration announced on Monday that it will take steps to allow a version of the so-called morning-after pill, known as Plan B One-Step, to be sold over the counter to girls and women of all ages. They will not need a prescription, nor will they be required to show any identification to obtain the emergency contraceptive. There will be no restrictions on where the drug can be sold; it will be up to the manufacturer to propose appropriate venues (6/11).

13 Jun 2013

The health law's implementation gains and pains

As Democrats begin campaigns to tout the health law's benefits and states work to implement some of the overhaul's central provisions, concerns about state budget pressures, program costs and civil liberties draw headlines.

12 Jun 2013

Obama administration changes course on Plan B

Monday afternoon, the Justice Department announced it would accept recent court rulings and begin putting into effect a judge's order to have the Food and Drug Administration certify the Plan B pill for use without prescription and without age restrictions on sales.

12 Jun 2013

Insider probe over Medicare rate decision hits Congress

News outlets report on developments in the story of alleged insider trading after a Medicare rate decision.

12 Jun 2013

Missed savings opportunities in Medicare program

The Wall Street Journal details a report from the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Inspector General. Meanwhile, Kaiser Health News reports on a study that details missed savings of prescription drug costs.

12 Jun 2013

First Edition: June 11, 2013

Today's headlines include coverage of the Obama administration's decision to drop the fight to keep age restrictions in place for Plan B emergency contraceptive pill sales.

11 Jun 2013

Connecticut passes law that bans minors from using indoor tanning devices

Connecticut has sent a strong message to young people that indoor tanning salons can be dangerous to their health by passing a law that bans minors under the age of 17 years old from using indoor tanning devices. The law is based on significant scientific evidence that links indoor tanning to increased risk of developing melanoma and other forms of skin cancer.

11 Jun 2013

Grassley continues focus on Medicare decision trading probe

Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, says that hundreds of people had access to information about a Medicare decision before it was announced, which triggered a spike in Wall Street trading. Also on Capitol Hill, compounding pharmacies are lobbying against pending legislation and a draft proposal on Medicare's 'doc fix' draws criticism.

11 Jun 2013

Debate over a dying child and a lack of transplant organs

Several columnists explore the difficult questions raised by the case of Sarah Murnaghan, a 10-year-old with cystic fibrosis who needs a lung transplant to survive.

10 Jun 2013

Judge's second ruling on child transplants prompts ethical, political questions

A federal judge issued a second ruling in as many days allowing another dying child onto an adult transplant list -- a move that could have ramifications for thousands of adults waiting for donated organs.

10 Jun 2013

WEX Health: A customized virtual payments solution for healthcare market

WEX Inc., a leading provider of corporate payment solutions, today announced the introduction of WEX Health, a customized virtual payments solution, for the healthcare market.

7 Jun 2013

Viewpoints: 'Reasonable' debate about health law's 'rate shock; 'absurdity' of Sebelius' account of fund raising; Obama killed the grand bargain

Many of us have been wondering whether it's possible to have an honest, reasonable debate about Obamacare. To my pleasant surprise, one may finally be starting.

7 Jun 2013

Study: Significant number of children suffers from complications caused by medical devices

As modern medical advances help more children with complex conditions live longer, a new study shows a significant number suffer from complications caused by medical devices that are also necessary for their survival.

7 Jun 2013

Wis., Pa., Ariz. lawmakers seek further abortion regulation

Add lawmakers in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Arizona to the long list of states seeking to further restrict and regulate the availability of abortions.

7 Jun 2013

Judge orders Sebelius to put girl who needs lung on transplant list

A federal judge intervened in the case of a 10-year-old girl with cystic fibrosis who needs a lung transplant, ordering HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to provide an exception and place the girl on the adult lung transplant list.

7 Jun 2013

Feds step up Medicare anti-fraud efforts

The government has revoked the ability of 14,663 providers and suppliers to bill Medicare over the past two years.

7 Jun 2013

Lawmakers 'beg' Sebelius for child's lung transplant

A 10-year-old girl in urgent need of a transplant was brought up by some GOP lawmakers during Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius' appearance at a House hearing.

6 Jun 2013

Research reveals how HIV triggers signal to kill infected immune cell

Untreated HIV infection destroys a person's immune system by killing infection-fighting cells, but precisely when and how HIV wreaks this destruction has been a mystery until now. New research by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, reveals how HIV triggers a signal telling an infected immune cell to die.

6 Jun 2013

First Edition: June 6, 2013

Today's headlines include a report about a new poll showing public uneasiness is increasing in regard to the health law. At the same time, the White House is stepping up its efforts encourage people to enroll in the health coverage the will be available as a result of the overhaul.

6 Jun 2013

Sebelius defends phone calls to urge outreach support

At a House hearing Tuesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said she did not seek funds from companies, but did ask them to support the outreach efforts of Enroll America, a nonprofit group. She told panel members she made five calls on behalf of the organization.

6 Jun 2013