Share of Cost, Federal Digest

Friday, Oct. 29th 2010 6:31 AM

Washington Post

FDA considers revoking approval of Avastin for advanced breast cancer – Rob Stein reports on agency’s decision after follow up studies on high-cost drug that won fast-track approval show little if any benefit and potentially dangerous side-effects; cancer activists split on decision, which some see as harbinger of cost consideration under new health care law, Roche fighting to keep its most profitable drug on the market

Waste from BP oil spill cleanup has gulf residents near landfills concerned – Krissah Thompson reports on concerns about waste from oil spill and clean-up, deemed not “hazardous,” possible effects on environment, proximity to low-income, minority communities; EPA Administrator Jackson defends transfer to local landfills

In venture with Temple U., Park Service combats looming shortage of rangers – Lorraine Mirabella reports that U.S. Park Service is reaching out to urban students through internship program to fill imminent vacancies due to retirement of law-enforcement rangers in national parks

New York Times

Petraeus opposes a rapid pullout in Afghanistan – Dexter Filkins reports on interviews with Gen. Petraeus in which he provides wiggle room for president’s July 2011 pullout date, describes huge military and political challenges in the region, says progress is being made

Some states are lacking in health law authority – Robert Pear and Kevin Sack report that where state insurance commissioners don’t have legal authority to enforce consumer protection standards under new health law federal regulators will step in according to HHS Secretary Sebelius, situation complicated by states suing to overturn law

Wall Street Journal

Housing ills cloud debate on Fannie – Nick Timiraos reports that review of mortgage lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, deferred until housing market was stabilized, set to begin tomorrow, could stall in wake of “shaky” market conditions

Food firms jarred by sugar-beet restriction – Scott Kilman reports that last year’s court decision, overturning government’s OK of genetically-engineered sugar beets because Agriculture Dept. hadn’t considered environmental effects of “weed killer tolerant” plant on future crops, has food companies concerned about sugar supply

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