In an attempt to prevent a reduction in Medicare payments to physicians that is scheduled to hit Jan. 1, senators have been working on a pared-down plan to send to President Bush. To attract Republican support and avert a veto, the $6 billion package would be funded with relatively uncontroversial Medicare cuts.
The American Cancer Society is has reported 12 million new cases of malignancy diagnosed worldwide in 2007, with 7.6 million people dying from the disease. The report, Global Cancer Facts & Figures, finds that 5.4 million of those cancers and 2.9 million deaths are in more affluent, developed nations.
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire has proposed tougher policing of healthcare professionals and more transparency of hospitals' patient safety records. Gregoire said patient safety is "the next logical step on the road to reform."
Registered nurses are continuing their strike at 13 California hospitals operated by Sutter Health as both sides remain at odds over ongoing contract negotiations. The California Nurses Association said the sticking points include staffing levels, health and retirement benefits, and other work rules.
After nearly a year of often negotiations, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez have settled on a plan to extend health insurance to 3.6 million uninsured Californians through a new tax on all employers and tobacco sales.
Consideration of a white retired CEO to lead the new hospital board of Grady Hospital in Atlanta has angered some black leaders. The leaders say it fuels suspicions that the white business community is trying to take over the hospital.