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Millions of families in our aging nation face [a] delicate decision about when to use life-extending but potentially-grueling treatment on the elderly and sick — and the medical world is responding. This year for the first time, Medicare began reimbursing doctors for having end-of-life discussions as a separate, billable service. And health experts are increasingly examining the issue, with three recent end-of-life studies in the Journal of the American Medical Association among the growing body of research. (Ungar, 2/17)

Earl Johnston was 12 when he got his first job, a paper route that he quickly expanded by "buying out" additional routes from other, less industrious boys. After high school, he enrolled in a program to become an industrial electrician. Like many people in the prime of their working life Johnston, now 56, always thought he would have plenty set aside for retirement, and if he didn't, he could always work a little longer. "At least up to 65," he thought. What Johnston didn't plan for was the degenerative spinal condition that made being on his feet for a 12-hour shift all but impossible. (Allington, 2/18)