Policy Spotlight

Federal Preemption

In February 2008, the Supreme Court ruled in Riegel v. Medtronic, that Class III medical device makers who have been granted federal approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are preempted from state tort claims under federal law. Following the ruling, members of Congress introduced legislation that would overturn the decision. In November 2008, the Supreme Court will hear a similar case pertaining to drug preemption.
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Covering California's Uninsured

After decades of debate, false starts and failed legislation, 2007 may be the year California lawmakers agree on an approach to expand health coverage among the state's estimated 6.6 million uninsured. Read more

Stem Cell Research

Intellectual Property and the Pursuit of Cures

To realize the promise of stem cell research and the intent of the millions of California voters who overwhelming passed Proposition 71, new medicines must be commercialized and used to treat patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease and other conditions. Read more