The big news in Congress this week is that Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) has replaced John Dingell (D-Mich.) as chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee – a move likely to have big implications for national climate policy, as Kate Sheppard at Gristmill explains. Meanwhile, Alicia Mundy at WSJ’s Health Blog wonders if the leadership change will let PhRMA and FDA sleep any easier, since Dingell has been “one ornery activist for change at the FDA and the industries it regulates.” 

But while we’re looking forward to changes under the new Congress and Administration, other bloggers remind us that the Bush administration can still do plenty of damage before it departs. Matt Madia at Reg Watch keeps us on top of administration moves to gut endangered species protections, cement a rule keeping trucker sleep requirements lax, and open more land to environmentally damaging oil-shale development. Emily Douglas at RH Reality Check updates us on a bill from Senators Hillary Clinton and Patty Murray to block an HHS rule that would let healthcare providers refuse to assist with medical services they find objectionable. 

Elsewhere:

 

Shadowfax at Movin’ Meat slams the Boston Globe article on hospital payments, and suggests that a major insurer fed reporters the information in order to help its position during negotiations.

Maggie Mahar at Health Beat explains how obesity may be more complicated that we think (Part 2 here). 

Dave Loos at EnviroWonk reports that New York City and Seattle may soon require shoppers to pay for disposable plastic bags. 

Tara C. Smith at Aetiology brings us the latest on a new Ebola subtype that’s emerged in Uganda. 

Tamara Kreinin at RH Reality Check reminds us about the important issues behind the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25^th.

Melanie Nakagawa at Switchboard encourages us to use our potty mouths in honor of World Toilet Day.

Aman at Technology, Health & Development highlights a data collection method for birth attendants that doesn’t require literacy or electricity.