lawmakers

WASHINGTON -- Congress is kicking around the idea of funding ostensible truth squads to disseminate unbiased reports on prescription drugs in an effort to counter claims made by drug company representatives.

Congress, its support at 14 percent in the latest Gallup poll, is having some self-esteem issues. Yesterday, lawmakers happened upon a novel solution.

Salvia has been smoked for centuries by Mazatec Indians. But now, the hallucinogenic herb properly known as Salvia divinorum is becoming the "drug du jour" among some young adults, causing concern among parents, medical professionals, and lawmakers.

More than 40,000 people turned downtown Washington into a sea of pink yesterday, joining an annual breast-cancer race that drew television actresses, diplomats, U.S. lawmakers and ordinary women grateful simply to be alive.

The Maryland Senate advanced legislation yesterday authorizing an independent takeover of the ailing Prince George's County hospital system and revived an emergency measure to ban children's products containing lead as lawmakers sprinted toward adjournment Monday.

Members of Congress called on the FDA to move faster in forcing drug companies to include safety-reporting information in their TV and radio ads.

RICHMOND -- Twice in the past two months, Cathy Pell drove from Manassas to the state capital to lobby lawmakers to continue giving her the money she needs to care for Abby, the youngest of her five children.

Abby, a giggly, dark-haired 3-year-old, was deprived of oxygen at birth. She can't talk ...

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Lawmakers have proposed a system to investigate and track medical mistakes and so-called "near misses" after brain surgeons at Rhode Island Hospital operated on the wrong side of patients' heads last year on three separate occasions....