WSJ.com: Health

A New View, After Diagnosis

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:27:37 EDT

An new program helps patients with advanced cancer examine what’s most meaningful in their lives and shape the legacy they want to leave.

Good News for Women With Migraines

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:27:37 EDT

Women with a history of migraines were 26% less likely to have had breast cancer than women who reported no migraines, according to a new scientific study.

New Treatments for Atrial Fibrillation

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:27:37 EDT

A new drug and a growing surgical procedure offer new options for patients with irregular heartbeats. But the long-term benefits of these tools are still unclear, some doctors say.

Health Bill Slaps 5.4% Tax on Top Earners

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:37:09 EDT

House Democrats proposed new taxes on the wealthy to help fund an expansion of government health benefits.

Generics Pressure J&J Net

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:17:36 EDT

Johnson & Johnson posted a 3.6% drop in profit, hurt by the stronger dollar and competition for its top products from generic drugs. Drug sales dropped 13%.

Sen. Grassley Is Key to Health-Care Deal

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:35:33 EDT

A health-care overhaul may need the blessing of a veteran Republican, Iowa's Chuck Grassley, if it has any hope of becoming law.

FDA Signs Off on New Plan B Labeling

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:08:00 EDT

The FDA approved labeling that will allow 17-year-olds access to the Plan B emergency-contraceptive pill without a prescription.

Japan's Hisamitsu Makes U.S. Move

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:17:36 EDT

Japan's Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical will buy Noven Pharmaceuticals for $428 million as it looks to boost its presence in the U.S.

Drug Sought for Diarrhea Common in Developing World

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:19:46 EDT

Novartis and the Institute for OneWorld Health, a nonprofit group, will announce this week a partnership to discover drugs for a type of diarrhea that kills 1.6 million children each year in the developing world.

Democrats' Discord Hinders Health Bill

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:48:55 EDT

Democratic rifts are complicating health-care overhaul efforts. The House is expected to release a bill Tuesday.

Surgeon General Is Designated

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:48:55 EDT

Obama named Regina Benjamin, an Alabama physician known for treating the rural poor, as surgeon general.

Aetna, UnitedHealth Get Defense Contracts

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:36:22 EDT

The Department of Defense awarded billion-dollar military health care contracts to Aetna and UnitedHealth, ending an alliance with two competitors.

US To Buy H1N1 Vaccines From Four Firms

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:57:08 EDT

The U.S. government signed contracts with four companies worth a total of almost $1 billion to purchase ingredients used to make vaccines against the new H1N1 influenza virus.

Michigan's Slump Hits Health Care

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:22:30 EDT

Michigan's slump is offering a preview of how a long recession could corrode Americans' hospitals, savings and health.

Trade Group Challenges Wal-Mart on Health Care

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:51:59 EDT

The retail industry's biggest trade group is launching a broad attack against Wal-Mart for supporting congressional proposals requiring employers to help pay for health insurance.

Blood Boils Over Biotech Bill

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:51:59 EDT

The biotech industry is moving closer to a victory in Congress that would protect lucrative drugs from generic-drug competition for a lengthy period.

New Alzheimer's Gene Is Pinpointed

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:51:59 EDT

New research has pinpointed a gene that could improve predictions of who will develop Alzheimer's and at what age.

Help For the Uninsured

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 23:16:04 EDT

Federal stimulus funding is helping community health centers nationwide deal with an influx of newly uninsured patients.

House Health Bill Relies on Wealth Tax

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 06:00:15 EDT

House Democrats plan to pay for their health-care legislation with a big tax increase on wealthy households, aiming to raise $540 billion over the next decade.

FDA Approves Effient, a Plavix Rival

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 06:00:15 EDT

The FDA approved the blood-thinning drug Effient in a long-awaited victory for its developers, Eli Lilly and Daiichi.

Hospitals' Tax Breaks May Be Curtailed

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:55:53 EDT

Senators working on health-care legislation are considering provisions to pare back the billions of dollars in tax breaks enjoyed by U.S. hospitals.

Dems Open to Forming Health Co-op

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 23:16:04 EDT

Senate Democratic leaders appeared open to establishing a non-government cooperative as part of a U.S. health-care overhaul.

Medtronic Recalls Insulin Devices

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:52:04 EDT

Medtronic recalled about 60,000 insulin-delivery devices because of a problem that could cause injury or death.

Vitter Prevails in Prescription-Drug Debate

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:10:05 EDT

Louisiana Sen. David Vitter prevailed in a lengthy battle on the Senate floor to pass legislation that could let Americans buy cheap prescription drugs online from Canada.

Plans for Vaccination Campaign Begin

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 23:16:04 EDT

Concerned that the H1N1 pandemic will intensify in the fall, the Obama administration said it is proceeding with plans for a government-funded vaccination campaign.

Benefits Seen in Monkeys' Low-Cal Diets

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 23:16:04 EDT

Sharply cutting calories in the diets of rhesus monkeys was found to reduce aging-related deaths, according to a study that followed 76 monkeys for two decades.