Healthcare Conference Held

{Lexington, Kentucky}…Speakers at a health conference in Lexington Friday said patients must take greater control of their health care, both to avoid risky and unnecessary treatments and to help slow skyrocketing medical costs. Speakers said even well-educated patients often are reluctant to speak up because they fear being branded as troublemakers or worry that they won't receive care, but the costs of staying quiet can be staggering. Dr. Leana Wen, physician, author and clinical fellow at the Harvard University Medical School, said Make sure your doctor knows that you expect an equal partnership in your care, and don't leave the doctor's office without knowing what your diagnosis is. The sixth annual Conference for Healthcare Transparency and Patient Advocacy was sponsored by Health Watch USA, a Somerset-based health advocacy group.