ALSO NOTED: Part D legislation introduced; Petrie appointed CFO at WellPoint; and much more...

> Last week's Annals of Internal Medicine report comparing drug-eluting and bare-metal stents has renewed the stent debate, writes Maggie Mahar in my blog, THCB. Blog [1]

> Congressional Democrats introduced legislation that would make major changes to Medicare Part D. One provision empowers the government to negotiate prices directly with pharmaceutical companies. Another allows consumers to select CMS as their plan provider. Article [2]

> The patient portal at the Henry Ford Health System may serve as a model for granting access to patient electronic medical records. Article
[3]
> Speculation continues that Misys will spin off its healthcare IT unit. John McConnell and David Bond are rumored to be the execs involved in the project. Article. Article [4]

> Docs in the U.K. are protesting Minute Clinic style services at supermarkets and other retail outlets, arguing that health care services should not be provided in places where unhealthy products are on sale. Article [5]

> Chutes & Ladders: WellPoint has appointed Bruce Petrie CFO. Petrie moves to healthcare from the energy industry. Release [6]

> Cincinnati Children's Hospital is working with Abbott Diagnostics to develop a new test that can identify a biomarker that reveals signs of kidney failure and progressing disease. Article [7]

> Magellan said it will buy specialty pharmaceutical management firm Icore in a deal worth $210 million in cash and stock. Article [8]

> Epic signs West Virginia University Hospitals to an electronic medical records implementation worth $40 million. Article [9]

And Finally... According to a report in the U.K., less than fifty percent of death certificates are accurate. Article [10]