The insane game of medical costs and payment system in the US is the central theme this week

Summary: Federal court blocks fracking oil and gas in Monterey Bay area; A commonly-used antibiotic may cause heart rhythm problems; New cat allergy vaccine requires fewer shots; Widely diverse variations in medical tests and procedure prices in the broken US health care system; Genetic variations are often the cause of loose or tight muscles and joints — what to do about it; Detecting a dangerous arrhythmia needs a doctor's examination; Zantac for a baby with coli is not a great idea — try probiotics instead; Stop over-using a toxic gel for a benign viral skin condition called molluscum contagiosum; Caller's story exposes the insane game of over-billing insurance for hospital fees because they get highly-discounted payments; More discussion on health insurance pricing craziness and the advantages of Medicare; Don't take iron supplement if you have arthritis; An emergency a appendectomy gets expensive because anesthesiologist didn't accept my insurance! Research does support vegetarian diets to reduce many health problems; Could thyroid medication raise my blood pressure?