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Obama will commit $100 million to launch the initiative, which the White House likened to the Human Genome Project.

The group reacted to the severe leg injury endured by Louisville player Kevin Ware on Sunday.

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday relaxed standards on how long people should use nicotine-replacement gum, patches and other products.

The FDA announced there are no significant safety concerns with using nicotine patches, gum and other products in combination.

It also said that in most cases, people can safely use the products for longer than the eight to 12 weeks now recommended.

Keith Fontenot, one of the Obama administration's top budget experts on healthcare, is leaving the Office of Management and Budget.

Fontenot joined OMB with Peter Orszag, Obama's first budget director. He was a key player in hammering out the details of the Affordable Care Act, and also helped advance healthcare priorities in the 2009 stimulus.

"Keith Fontenot has played an integral role in moving this Administration’s health agenda forward — from historic changes bringing affordable health care to millions, to thoughtful reforms in health programs that are bringing down costs and improving value for all Americans," acting OMB Director Jeff Zients said.

A day after Christie declined to take a position on gay conversion therapy, his spokesman said he opposes the practice.

Leaders with the House Energy and Commerce Committee vowed Wednesday to bring fresh life sciences debates to the fore in the current Congress.

Reps. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) and Michael Burgess (R-Texas), chairman and vice-chairman of the health subcommittee, said they intended to be "more pro-active with our messaging," particularly on issues concerning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"Although the FDA is under the administrative branch, we are responsible for the product that they produce," Burgess said in a conversation with reporters. "We darn sure better have the oversight of what they're doing, and why they're doing it." 

Influential pediatricians group backs gay marriage

Discount drug plans may not be saving Medicare money

Health law uncertainty grips Old Town cafe

Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.) on Wednesday postponed a subcommittee vote on legislation aimed at limiting fraudulent asbestos injury claims.

The Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency (FACT) Act, which critics have called an "anti-victim" bill, had been scheduled to move forward Wednesday morning, but Bachus said he would delay the vote a month so the committee could hear testimony from people who have been sickened by the carcinogen.

The Republican parliamentarian reportedly told Bachus several times that the bill needed to proceed and he kept refusing, ultimately saying he would “take it upon himself” to extend the time for testimony. 

Squabble over spending cuts slows progress on bill to avoid government shutdown

Government quits legal battle over graphic cigarette warnings

Lobbyists look to Democrats to repeal Obama tax on medical devices

Planned Parenthood's political arm blasted the Republican National Committee (RNC) Monday for releasing a 100-page self-critique that focused on tactics, not policy.

The GOP is in the process of evaluating its 2012 election losses and developing a game plan for the next election cycle.

Critics like Planned Parenthood say the RNC's efforts have discounted the extent to which GOP positions were untenable for women, minorities and centrist voters in 2012.  

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