Bill to speed approvals for drugs is cut back -

Legislation that would have accelerated the pace of federal drug approvals in a way that critics said threatened to erode patient safety was formally released this week, in a scaled-back version with many of the most controversial provisions left out.

Medicare panel voices doubts about genetic cancer tests -

The Medicare Evidence Development and Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC) has expressed little confidence in genetic tests that supposedly predict common cancers. The decision raises doubts about whether the CMS will authorize Medicare coverage for such tests.

Letter to the Editor: "Keep the Medical Device Tax" -

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, millions more Americans can now afford medical care that relies on devices like CT scans, cardiac implants or joint replacements. Our nonpartisan research center just released a report indicating that the device industry is thriving in the two years since the tax went into effect.