April 14, 2005

Federal advisory panel votes to approve silicone breast implants from Mentor Corp day after it rejected similar application from Inamed Corp; most panel members say they are comfortable with long-term safety of Mentor devices, and most dismiss concerns that ruptured implants cause kind of serious diseases that some women's groups have listed; diverging votes send mixed message to Food and Drug Adm, making predictions about what it would decide impossible; many experts say FDA has toughened oversight of device and drug manufacturers in recent months; agency generally follows advice of its advisory panels; three-day hearing on implants included more than 160 witnesses, including dozens of women who claim implants sickened them and dozens of other women who pronounce silicone implants safe boost to their self-esteem; nearly all studies have found no link between silicone implants and serious disease (M)

Stephen Holden reviews cabaret performance by Barbara Cook at Cafe Carlyle; photo (M)

Article on New York-based illustrator and self-professed fashion fanatic Marisa Acocella Marchetto; Marchetto, 43, whose six-page Cancer Vixen cartoon spread in current issue of Glamour magazine chronicles her 11-month bout with breast cancer, comments on her experiences; says she plans to turn strip into book; photo; cartoon (M)

Battling is brewing in Congress on cost of main military health plan, Tricare, that has doubled since 2001 and will soon reach $50 billion a year, more than tenth of Pentagon's budget; at least 75 percent of benefits will go to veterans and retirees; over next decade, plan for military retirees, Tricare for Life, will cost at least $100 billion, rivaling costs of biggest weapons systems Pentagon is building; Pentagon supporters say military should not be pressed to choose between weapons and health care; Sen John W Warner says Congress will have to ask Pres Bush for money for health care program; graphs (M)

Dave Anderson Sports of The Times column discusses vocal reception given to Houston Astros pitcher Roger Clemens, who has never won game at Shea Stadium (NYC), during game against New York Mets, where fans booed him repeatedly; photo (M)