Patients struggle on without surgery; hospitals feel pinch

As the economic recession persists, people who are unemployed or worried about losing their jobs are putting off medical care and living with illnesses and conditions that aren't critical, but can be debilitating. Some are delaying having precancerous tumors removed; others are forgoing knee or shoulder surgery. While insurance often covers much of the costs associated with such procedures, there are expenses that can add up to thousands of dollars. For those lacking insurance, the price of most elective procedures is beyond their reach. And as more people forgo treatment, hospitals are suffering financially, industry specialists say.