ALSO NOTED: Plan to close obstetrics at King/Drew approved; SAS sponsors project at UAB; and much more...

> In a narrow 3-2 vote, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a plan to close three units at King/Drew Medical Center. The next step is a public hearing. Story

> HIT: The Center for Global eHealth Innovation at Toronto Hospital has established a concept lab to test new health IT technologies. Story

> An FDA review has determined that drug companies are not submitting data as required to clinicaltrials.gov. Report

> HIT: SAS is sponsoring a trial at the University of Alabama at Birmingham which seeks to use the software company's data mining and text mining technologies to develop an "early warning system" for physicians. Story

> A new California Healthcare Foundation snapshot report examines nursing home care in California and uncovers problems with staffing, quality of care, regulatory compliance, and financial stability. Report

> HIT: Tufts Health Plan CIO Tricia Trebino discusses the health system's technology strategy. Interview

> Former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt was back in his home state yesterday talking up the prescription drug benefit and electronic health records. Story

> The Santa Monica, California-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights says stronger rules are needed for Association Health plans in California. Story

> HIT: Charlotte, North Carolina-based Preferred Medical says it has landed a contract with Sierra Vista Regional Health Center to monitor its cost accounting and budgeting. Story

> HIT: First Choice Health and Qualis Health say they will award $200,000 in grants to small and rural practices in Washington state to encourage IT adoption. Release

And Finally... The New York Times' series on the state of patient care at US hospitals generates thousands of postings by health professionals and patients at an online forum set up by the newspaper. Website