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New cancer drug cocktails set to reach the market in the next few years will test the limits of premium pricing for life-saving medicines, forcing company executives to consider fresh market strategies. The growing reluctance of governments and private insurers to fund very expensive drugs - even remarkably effective ones - points to a showdown as manufacturers mix and match therapies that harness the immune system to fight tumors. (Hirschler, 8/3)

The government health care programs Medicare and Medicaid turned 50 this year. But, more recently, back in 2003, the feds expanded Medicare to include a prescription drug benefit. The law establishing that benefit specifically prevented Medicare from directly negotiating the prices for those drugs, which some say translates to higher costs for the program. The Obama administration and some members of Congress want to change that, but— not surprisingly, drug companies say things are just fine as they are. (Adams, 8/3)

KHN consumer columnist Michelle Andrews answers readers' questions on large hospitalization deductibles, surprise out-of-network lab billing and the legal obligations of a divorced spouse to keep a child over 21 on his or her health plan. (Andrews, 8/4)