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

One of the largest health companies in the U.S. is facing claims-handling law violations and will likely be fined by California's insurance regulator $12.3 million. Blue Shield's 1,262 violations resulted to the loss of medical coverage of more than 200 people.

Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner said the allegations against Blue Shield are serious violations "that completely undermine the public's trust in our healthcare delivery system and are potentially devastating to patients

President George Bush vetoed a bill that proposes to expand health insurance for children on Wednesday. He struck down the bipartisan legislation because it allows adults into the program, covers families above the U.S. median and raises taxes.

It is his seventh use of his veto power in 7 years. Explaining his rejection of the bill, Bush said, "This bill does not put poor children first, and it moves our country's health care system in the wrong direction