Euthanasia

Vermont Passes 'Death-With-Dignity' Law, Doctors Can Now Prescribe Lethal End-Of-Life Options

By Ansa Varughese | May 21, 2013 11:33 AM EDT

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin has signed into law the state's euthanasia legislation, lending a voice to patients with incurable illnesses.

Gym Class Physical Education in Schools

Longer Gym Class Periods Reduce Childhood Obesity

By Ashik Siddique | May 20, 2013 08:08 PM EDT

Requiring more time in physical education in schools is a good way to fight the childhood obesity epidemic, says a new study.

Doctors

Proposed Mandatory Drug Testing For Doctors Won't Work, ACLU Says

By Justin Caba | May 20, 2013 03:34 PM EDT

A proposal on the upcoming California ballot could make drug testing mandatory for all medical practitioners.

A needle drawing medicine from a storage tube.

Big Pharma Meets Non Profit: Is The New GSK And Save The Children Partnership In Africa's Best Interest?

By Elijah Wolfson | May 20, 2013 12:28 PM EDT

While most have unequivocally praised a new partnership between drug manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline and NGO Save the Children, some experts wonder what's in it for Big Pharma.

Merck Sleeping Pill

Merck Experimental Sleeping Pill, Suvorexant, Effective Says FDA

By Jonathan Weiss | May 20, 2013 10:47 AM EDT

A promising sleeping pill, with fewer side effects than current drugs on the market, is in the midst of the FDA approval process.

Federal Judge Blocks Restrictive Arkansas Abortion Law

Arkansas Abortion Law Blocked By Federal Judge

By Matthew Mientka | May 19, 2013 05:16 PM EDT

A federal judge on Friday blocked an Arkansas law prohibiting abortions after 12 weeks, saying the measure most likely violated the Constitution.

Organization Of American States Urges Leaders To Decriminalize Drug Addiction

Drug User Penalties Should Be Reduced, Organization Of American States Says

By Matthew Mientka | May 19, 2013 03:45 PM EDT

The Organization of American States, representing the 35 nations of North and South America, urged governments on Friday to view illegal drug use as a public health problem instead of a security problem.

States Address Mental Health Issues

Texas Increases Spending On Mental Health Care

By Matthew Mientka | May 19, 2013 03:31 PM EDT

The state is spending hundreds of millions of dollars more on mental health care, as lawmakers work with an estimated budget surplus of $12 billion.

'Obamacare' Insurance Premiums Lower Than Expected In Oregon, Washington

'Obamacare' Insurance Premiums Lower Than Expected, Two States Announce

By Matthew Mientka | May 18, 2013 08:38 PM EDT

The Pacific northwest states of Oregon and Washington say insurers have submitted plans to the online market with lower-than-expected premium prices, in a surprise boost to the health care law known as "Obamacare."

Outgoing acting IRS Commissioner Steven Miller and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russell George are sworn-in on Capitol Hill in Washington

GOP Uses IRS Scandal To Cast Doubts On Obamacare

By Nadia-Elysse Harris | May 18, 2013 01:42 PM EDT

Republicans are set to use the Internal Revenue Service's targeting of conservative groups as another device to attack the Obama Administration's health care reforms.

Indian Flag

Prices Of 348 Life-Saving Prescription Drugs To Plummet In India

By Jonathan Weiss | May 17, 2013 05:18 PM EDT

With the cost of some drugs possibly being reduced by as much as 80 percent, essential medicines will now be more accessible to poorer at-risk communities.

staphylococcus aureus

Schizophrenia Drugs That Can Kill Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

By Susan Scutti | May 17, 2013 05:14 PM EDT

Scientists are working to transform the well-known drug thioridazine, used to treat schizophrenia, in order to treat patients infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Oramed experimental insulin drug for diabetes

First Oral Insulin Drug Gains FDA Approval To Begin Testing

By Jonathan Weiss | May 17, 2013 02:47 PM EDT

A pill, which may take the place of daily insulin injections, will begin US clinical trials soon.

US Capitol

House GOP Keeps Voting To Repeal Obamacare, Tries For 37th Time [VIDEO]

By Nadia-Elysse Harris | May 17, 2013 12:44 PM EDT

A new video documents the impressive 36 times that House Republicans have tried to repeal all or part of President Barack Obama's health care reforms, prior to Thursday's 37th vote.

Organ Transplant

China Struggles With Organ Donor Cards Due To Cultural Values

By Justin Caba | May 17, 2013 11:24 AM EDT

Efforts to move away from reliance on dead prisoners for organs have proved difficult for the Chinese government.

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