Weak Economy Influencing Medical Spending Decisions

The sustained weakness of the U.S. economy is continuing to affect the health care decisions of consumers, as evidenced by the latest earnings reports from health insurers, drugmakers and medical device manufacturers. Insurers reported increased earnings because patients are making fewer physician office visits. Meanwhile, drugmakers and medical device makers are experiencing decreasing sales and revenue as consumers scale back their medical expenses.

• "Health Care Use Is Sluggish" (Kamp, Wall Street Journal, 7/21).