Minnesota Gov. Pawlenty Vetoes Health Care Expansion Bill

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) on Tuesday vetoed legislation that would have expanded access to publicly-sponsored health coverage, saying the bill would not reduce health care costs or improve quality, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports (Duchschere, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 5/13).

Republican Senators Advocate Legislation That Would Specify Treatment Goals For PEPFAR

A group of Republican senators at a press conference on Tuesday advocated for legislation that would set specific treatment goals for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, CQ HealthBeat reports.

Pope Benedict Criticizes Italian Abortion Law, Prime Minister Berlusconi Responds

Pope Benedict XVI on Monday in a meeting with antiabortion advocates in Italy criticized the country's 1978 law that legalized abortion, Reuters/San Diego Union Tribune reports. The law bans most abortions after the first 90 days of pregnancy. The law allows procedures until 24 weeks' gestation if the pregnant woman's life is at risk or if the fetus is abnormal.

Coalition Proposes Using Medicaid, SCHIP Funds To Purchase Private Coverage For Uninsured

Officials from the Healthcare Leadership Council, a coalition of health insurers, academics, hospitals and other health care groups, proposed using Medicaid and SCHIP funds to purchase private coverage for uninsured U.S. residents, CQ HealthBeat reports.

Microsoft Official Named New Head Of Gates Foundation

Microsoft executive Jeffrey Raikes on Monday was named the new CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the New York Times reports. Raikes will replace Patty Stonesifer, who in February announced that she will step down from her position (Strom, New York Times, 5/13).

Quake Deaths In Sichuan Is Probably Over 50,000 Says China's Government

The death toll so far from Monday's earthquake has been confirmed at over 19, 500, but the Chinese authorities fear that more than 50, 000 have been killed in Sichuan province alone, according to a press conference announcement made earlier today, Thursday 15th May, by the rescue headquarters of the State Council, headed by Premier Wen Jiabao.

Jamaica Program Aims To Help Older Family Members Provide Care For HIV-Positive Children

The Jamaica Gleaner on Monday profiled a program in the western part of the country aimed at improving the treatment outcomes of HIV-positive children.

London's Guardian Profiles HIV AIDS Advocate, Author Pisani

London's Guardian on Tuesday profiled HIV/AIDS advocate and author Elizabeth Pisani. Pisani, an epidemiologist and medical demographer, spent 10 years working on HIV/AIDS issues for UNAIDS and a nongovernmental organization in Indonesia before leaving the field to write her new book, called "The Wisdom of Whores.

Chemotherapy Does Not Improve Treatment For Mesothelioma

For mesothelioma patients, the addition of chemotherapy to the usualactive symptom control (ASC) does not appear to improve survival orquality of life, according to an article released on May 16, 2008 in TheLancet. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is cancer of the mesothelium, theprotective layer that covers the lungs.

Senate Revises Bill That Would Require Drug, Medical Device Makers To Publicly Report Payments, Gifts To Physicians

The Senate has revised a bill that would require drug and medical device manufacturers to publicly report payments and gifts to physicians, Reuters/New York Times reports. The previous bill required all gifts valued at $25 or more to be disclosed, but that amount has been increased to $500 under the revised legislation (Reuters/New York Times, 5/14).