Today's Globe: fish-oil lifeline, life-sceinces funding, call center gridlock, racism study, diet pills, flu drug, high-stakes health battle, studying health studies

At 2 1/2 years old, Ellie Brogan is one of more than 100 children with rare "short bowel syndrome" who have received a therapy pioneered at Children's Hospital Boston that uses fish oil to keep their livers healthy, and doctors and Ellie's parents say it helped save her life.

A group of Massachusetts executives is lobbying Congress to pump billions of dollars more into medical research grants as part of the economic stimulus package now being assembled on Capitol Hill.

So many people are seeking help with unemployment and related health insurance benefits that their calls are gridlocking the phone system at the state's Division of Unemployment Assistance.

Most white people say they would react strongly to racism, but don't do anything when they actually witness prejudice, Canadian and US researchers said yesterday.

More than 70 weight loss pills sold in the United States as dietary supplements contain drugs that aren't disclosed on the labels and can harm consumers, regulators said, expanding an earlier list.

Tamiflu, Roche Holding AG's influenza drug, can't fight most infections that have been diagnosed so far during the current US flu season, health experts said.

"Doctors who meet quality standards while handling complex cases at academic centers should get uniform reimbursement - not just from private insurers but from Medicaid and Medicare as well, a Globe editorial says. "Reformed rates should also better reward primary care."

"Where there's an anti-smoking message, there's grant money, and where questionable diagnoses can act as a palliative for veterans, the taxpayers will foot the bill," columnist Alex Beam writes about "thirdhand smoke" and Gulf War syndrome.