Physician

Senate panel likely to write gun bills next week

By ALAN FRAMAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate Judiciary Committee seems all but certain to start voting on an assault weapons ban and other gun curbs next week, Congress' first roll calls in response to the Newtown, Conn., slayings of 26 students and staff at an elementary school in

ER visits tied to energy drinks double since 2007

By GARANCE BURKEAssociated Press SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A new government survey suggests the number of people seeking emergency treatment after consuming energy drinks has doubled nationwide during the past four years, the same period in which the supercharged drink industry has surged in popularity

Savannah coroner of 40 years exits under suspicion

By RUSS BYNUMAssociated Press SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - Even at age 81, Dr. James C. Metts Jr. liked to stay busy. By day, he treated some of Savannah's poorest patients at a downtown medical clinic. By night, or whenever police called, he examined dead bodies as the Chatham County coroner - an

Budget battle sends mixed signals on health care

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVARAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - Confused about the federal budget struggle? So are doctors, hospital administrators and other medical professionals who serve the 100 million Americans covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Rarely has the government sent so many conflicting