WASHINGTON – The Senate Finance Committee held the second of three open forums on healthcare reform yesterday, and the session began with more enthusiasm than is typical of such gatherings. The fact that none of the witnesses called to testify were advocates of a single-payer system was not missed by the idea's supporters, who complained loudly and out of turn about the omission as the session commenced. (Medical Device Daily)

WASHINGTON – The House Judiciary Committee finally held a hearing on the Patent Reform Act of 2009 (H.R. 1260), but readers of tea leaves might have left the hearing unsure as to where the committee stands on several key issues, including provisions dealing with how juries should calculate damages in infringement lawsuits. (Medical Device Daily)

The Obama administration finally has a full cabinet, thanks to the Tuesday Senate vote that came in at 65-31 to confirm Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D-Kansas) to the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services, but the White House scored again when Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pennsylvania) checked his GOP card at the door and defected to the Democratic Party. (Medical Device Daily)