Stimulus prompts talk of healthcare rationing

San Francisco Chronicle, February 12, 2009

A relatively small provision in the stimulus bill that would devote about $1 billion in government research funds to figure out which drugs and medical devices work better than others has some industry groups, conservative talk-show hosts, and others crying "rationing." To proponents, the research would improve quality of care and reduce health costs by limiting the use of drugs and treatments that do not work well.