Health Care

Senate Begins Debate Next Month on $848 Billion U.S. Health-Care Overhaul Democrats united to bring a sweeping health-care plan to the U.S. Senate floor in a party-line vote that kept Republicans from blocking debate on President Barack Obama’s top domestic initiative.

Mutated Swine Flu Strains in U.S., Europe, Resist Drugs, Worsen Illness Swine flu infections in which the virus mutated to a form that’s more severe or less sensitive to drug treatment are being investigated by European and U.S. public health officials.

Breast Cancer Test Debate May Shape Political Battle on Overhaul for Years A medical debate over breast-cancer screening that has turned political may set the tone for a battle over President Barack Obama’s health-care overhaul that will resonate for years.

Cervical Cancer Tests Should Start at 21, Not Younger, Doctors' Group Says Women should begin cervical cancer screenings at age 21 rather than an earlier age, and most women younger than 30 can get the exam every two years instead of annually, a physicians’ group said.

Mad Cow Protein Link Discovered by U.K. Scientists May Lead to Treatment U.K. researchers linked a protein to the development of mad-cow disease and found a way to reduce it, a discovery that may lead to a treatment for the illness and its human form, according to a report today in PLoS Pathogens.

Cigna Seeks Growth in China, Expects 2010 Earnings To Be Little Changed Cigna Corp., the U.S. health insurer with the best-performing shares, said it will seek to expand in China and elsewhere abroad while facing the “seismic shocks” of a recession and health-care overhaul at home.

Louisiana's Landrieu Wins U.S. Aid for State as Senate Health Vote Looms Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu, one of three lawmakers being wooed by Democratic leaders to back health-care legislation, won the inclusion of an extra $100 million in federal aid for low-income people in her state.

Philip Morris Must Pay Sick Florida Smoker Almost $300 Million, Jury Says Altria Group Inc.’s Philip Morris USA, the largest U.S. tobacco company, lost a $300 million jury verdict in a lawsuit brought by a former smoker in Florida who suffers from emphysema.

Whole Foods Will Sweeten Discounts for Workers Who Adopt Healthier Habits Whole Foods Market Inc., the largest U.S. natural-goods grocer, plans to sweeten store discounts to employees who lose weight and measurably improve their health.

Shionogi's Sex-Extending Spray May Help Premature Ejaculators, Study Finds A spray-on treatment for premature ejaculation may help sufferers prolong sexual intercourse by as much as five times, doctors found.