Uninsured RX

University of Cincinnati researchers lead the world in the synthesis of extremely long aligned carbon nanotube arrays; research has implications for medical, aerospace, electronic and other applicationsUC engineering researchers have developed a novel composite catalyst and optimal synthesis conditions for oriented growth of multi-wall CNT arrays. And right now they lead the world in synthesis of extremely long aligned carbon nanotube arrays. [click link for full article]

Despite the potential for conflict of interest, virtually all practicing physicians in the U.S. have some form of relationship with pharmaceutical manufacturers but the nature and extent of those relationships vary, depending on the kind of practice, medical specialty, patient mix, and professional activities, reports a study in the New England Journal of Medicine. [click link for full article]

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair John Dingell (D-Mich.) on Wednesday introduced companion bills (S 1218 and H 2034) that would allow U.S. residents younger than age 65 to enroll in Medicare, [click link for full article]

House lawmakers on Wednesday voted 420-3 to pass legislation (HR 493) that would ban discrimination against U.S. residents based on the results of genetic tests, CQ Today reports (Armstrong, CQ Today, 4/25). Under the bill, employers could not make decisions about whether to hire potential employees or fire or promote employees based on the results of genetic tests. [click link for full article]

More than three-fourths of U.S adults support proposals to expand access to health insurance, such as government subsidies for individuals without access to employer-sponsored coverage and tax credits to help individuals purchase coverage, according to a Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive survey, the Wall Street Journal Online reports. [click link for full article]

House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health Chair Pete Stark (D-Calif.) on Wednesday announced that by July he plans to introduce legislation to reduce Medicare reimbursements for private Medicare Advantage plans to help fund other health care proposals, CQ HealthBeat reports. [click link for full article]

The New England Journal of Medicine on Thursday published three perspective pieces responding to the Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling on Wednesday to reinstate a federal law banning so-called "partial-birth" abortion, overturning the rulings of three appeals courts. [click link for full article]

Consumers Union urges Senate to oppose attempts to weaken drug safety measures during floor vote

Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who is running for the Republican presidential nomination, on Tuesday at a campaign stop at New England College in Henniker, N.H., answered questions from voters about his position on so-called "partial-birth" abortion, the [click link for full article]

Ninety-four percent of physicians have relationships with pharmaceutical companies in which the companies provide them with food and beverages, medication samples, and other gifts and payments, according to a study published on Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports (Fahy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 4/26). [click link for full article]