More is not always better when it comes to medicine, surgery. If you believe more is better, when it comes to health care, you should consider this:• 30,000 Medicare recipients die each year as the result of unneeded care; • 50% of surgeries, tests, and procedures are not backed by scientific evidence as being needed; • $500 billion is spent annually on unnecessary care in the United States; • Twice as many physician visits at one highly respected hospital than at another highly respected hospital produced no difference in life expectancy, but a lot more in cost.

Toymakers mount 'fire sale' of phthalate-laden children's products. There was a festive feeling among consumer advocates when Congress passed legislation over the summer that outlaws the use of phthalates -- chemicals some fear may cause reproductive defects -- in toys. But ever-inventive toymakers have a holiday surprise: a flood of phthalate-ridden toys hitting stores just in time for holiday shopping.