Cancer survivors often forgo care due to cost

Even with health insurance, more than one million cancer survivors living in the United States report that they forgo needed medical care because of concerns about cost, according to research presented Wednesday at the American Association for Cancer Research conference on the Science of Health Care Disparities. “These survivors are either going without, or significantly delaying, dental care,... Read more

Scientists doubt utility of CT scan as heart test

The U.S. health insurance program for the elderly, Medicare, is spending money on state-of-the-art CT scanners without clear evidence showing their usefulness in combating heart problems, commentators in the New England Journal of Medicine said on Wednesday. CT scanning, used to diagnose coronary artery blockages, is one case where the U.S. government appears to be wasting money because pressures to... Read more

Insurers make pitch for health coverage mandate

The health insurance industry said Wednesday it will support a national health care overhaul that requires them to accept all customers, regardless of pre-existing medical conditions, but in return it wants lawmakers to mandate that everyone buy coverage. Lawmakers have signaled their intent to craft health care legislation early next year, and the insurance industry’s support would make passage... Read more