Laws don't curb pricey prostate cancer treatments

Two new studies suggest laws meant to prevent the overuse of expensive healthcare services don't stop doctors from using pricey prostate cancer treatments. Researchers found doctors used robots and special radiation to treat prostate cancer regardless of whether their area had laws requiring government approval before money is spent on healthcare facilities and new equipment. In one study, the use of robotic surgery to remove prostates in Medicare patients increased regardless of whether there were strict, less strict or no laws in place. Also, the chance a surgeon used robots had nothing to do with the laws. A second study looked at whether the laws limited the use of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).