New Study Muddies Water on Efficacy of More Treatments

Researchers at six California hospitals found that in some cases heart failure patients who underwent more costly courses of treatment had higher survival rates.  The study challenges earlier research questioning the value of additional treatments for some patients.

The study was funded by the California HealthCare Foundation, the publisher of California Healthline.

• "California Hospital Study: Sometimes Spending More Actually Does Save Lives" (Abelson, "Prescriptions," New York Times, 10/14).