WASHINGTON -- The U.S. House of Representatives on Saturday passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), which its supporters say "will slow the growth in out-of-control health costs and introduce competition into the health care marketplace to keep coverage affordable and insurers honest. Additionally, it will protect people's choices of doctors and health plans, and assure all Americans have access to quality, stable, affordable health care."

Republicans call it a "government takeover that increases costs, adds to our skyrocketing debt, destroys jobs with tax hikes and new mandates and cuts seniors' Medicare benefits." The vote passed 220 to 215 with 39 Democrats voting against the bill, and one Republican supporting the sweeping plan.

PHOENIX -- Two top retail execs regaled attendees at CSP's 2009 Consumer Insights Forum in Phoenix last Wednesday with promotional tales from the trenches.

For North Salt Lake City, Utah-based Maverik, "Adventure's First Stop" is its Kick Start reality show, which launched in May 2008. Brad Call, executive vice president of adventure culture and general counsel for the 200-store chain, said the show developed from a discussion about the propensity for DVR users to fast forward through commercials.

WASHINGTON -- The FDA is enforcing the flavored cigarette ban provision of the Family Smoking Prevention & Tobacco Control Act by issuing several warning letters to companies continuing to sell illegal flavored cigarettes to U.S. consumers through their websites. The warning letters directed the companies to cease the marketing and sale of these products immediately or to take other appropriate action to bring the products into compliance with the law.

Failure to do so may result in additional regulatory actions such as seizure or injunction, the FDA said. In addition, the FDA requested a written response from each of the companies within 15 days outlining the corrective actions taken.