A large-scale study of over 55,000 colorectal cancer patients found that Medicare beneficiaries in "high spending" areas get better care in some circumstances, but worse care in others. The findings show that on average patients in higher spending areas do no better than their peers in lower spending areas.

"In certain cases the increased spending is beneficial," says Mary Beth Landrum, a professor of health care policy at the Harvard Medical School and lead author on the study that will be published in the January/February issue of Health Affairs. "The focus should not simply be on cost containment, but rather on targeting care to the patients who we know will benefit

Starting January, having health insurance is compulsory in Massachusetts. Residents caught without coverage will be fined hefty penalties on a monthly basis, including losing a $219 personal tax exemption. The universal insurance coverage in the state is based on a law approved by former Gov. Mitt Romney in 2006. To ensure its implementation, all state residents will have to use a new tax form called 1099-HC, which requires tax filers to list the name of their insurer and their policy number.

Families and individuals who are experiencing financial difficulties or cite religious reasons are exempt from the law. However, they must file for an exemption, since being without insurance is automatically fined otherwise

Aside from paying for expensive hospital and medical bills, health insurance even helps extends the life of cancer patients longer than the usual oncology victim. A study by the American Cancer Society showed that a cancer victim has twice the chance to die within five years from the time he was diagnosed if he has no health coverage.

Fearing laboratory test costs, people without health insurance will likely skip needed cancer screening, giving time for cancerous cells to rapidly spread

Following the example of California whose state assembly approved a $14 billion fund to extend health insurance to all Californians, Michigan wants to have a similar state-wide health coverage. There are plans to launch a petition drive on January to persuade Michigan voters to approve a proposed universal healthcare plan in the state.

The campaign is led by labor and religious groups and Lieutenant Governor John Cherry. On Wednesday, former Michigan Congressman John Freeman who heads the Health Care for Michigan, will seek approval from the state election panel of petition forms

Medical directors and chiefs of hospitals in Manila, Philippines presented to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo their total commitment to end malnutrition and promote proper feeding for infants and young children during ceremonies held at the Manila Hotel Monday.

The medical practitioners submitted to the chief executive the Manila Declaration on the Promotion of Infant and Young Child Feeding Strategy during the group's conference on the theme, "The Breastfeeding Highway Begins at the Hospital