ALSO NOTED: SC moving to HSAs for Medicaid; Protesters rally to support King/Drew; and much more...

> HIT: A recent study published in the journal Medicine, which relied on data gathered exclusively over the Internet, demonstrates the increasing acceptance of the medium in the mainstream scientific community. Story

> The Houston Chronicle reports that closing arguments are scheduled to begin today in Ernst v. Merck, the first civil suit involving the painkiller Vioxx. Story

> The New York Times continues its series about the often degrading experience of being a patient in today's hospitals. Story

> Some observers think South Carolina's plan to move thousands of Medicaid participants to health savings accounts (HSAs) could establish a national model. Story

> HIT: In a sign that high-deductible health plans and HSAs are becoming mainstream, consultant BearingPoint and claims processor QCSI have put together an offering for consumer directed health plans. Release

> HIT: Preparations are underway in Washington, DC, for the second annual Health Information Technology Summit, scheduled for September 7-9. Story

> New Republic editor Johnathan Cohn reviews One Nation Uninsured for the Washington Post Book World. Story

> Yet another new "epidemic" of drug abuse, this time supposedly of cough medicines containing codeine by rappers in Houston. Story

> In Los Angeles, protesters rally against proposed cuts at King/Drew. Story

> Thousands of state legislators descend on Seattle this week for the National Conference of State Legislatures to discuss pressing healthcare issues and other topics. Story

> Boston Medical Center has turned an operating profit of $12.3 million for the first nine months of the year, after reporting a loss of $1 million a year ago. Story

> Partners Healthcare CEO James Mongan earned $1.9 million last year, according to the Boston Globe. Story

And Finally... Travelers are finding that some drugs with the same name in different countries are actually completely different drugs, leading to potentially fatal mix-ups. Story (Wall Street Journal sub. req.)