ALSO NOTED: Von Eschenbach clarifies cancer goals; Guidant faces new suits; and much more...

> Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, the Bush administration's pick to permanently head the FDA, clarified controversial statements on cancer which opponents have criticized. Article [1]

> Some analysts think Guidant may face more lawsuits after an internal review criticized the company's handling of safety problems with its defibrillators last year. Two new lawsuits were filed yesterday. Article [2]

> Yale-New Haven Hospital struck a deal with city and union leaders that will allow work to go forward on a new $430 million cancer center. The Yale School of Medicine, which works closely with the hospital, is also expanding its cancer programs. Article [3]

> Florida officials are expected to either approve or reject proposed new medical schools at Florida International University and the University of Central Florida. Article [4]

> IRS officials are examining executive pay at non-profit hospitals, The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports. Article [5]

> North Carolina-based MedCryption said it has released VitalChart, a secure personal health record system that allows patient medical records to be stored on a key chain. The company is collaborating with SanDisk. Release [6]

> The Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse, a startup incubator, has invested $100,000 in eight local health related companies. Article [7]

> The PNC Financial Services Group released a study that argues that hospitals and insurers could save millions of dollars a year by switching to electronic claims processing. Release [8]

And Finally... A Kaiser Permanente hospital is caught "dumping" a 63-year old patient on skid row in Los Angeles. Hospital officials apologized. Article [9]