Zimbabwe's health system, once the envy of many African nations, is "in a state of collapse" -- with many hospitals either completely shut down or unable to admit new patients, a leading doctors' group said Thursday.

Barack Obama is enlisting former Senate leader Tom Daschle as his health secretary, embracing a third Washington insider in the early stages of Cabinet-building by the president-elect who promised change. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the capital's most famous woman for two decades, seemed ever more likely to be his secretary of state.

The health insurance industry said it would support a plan requiring insurers to accept all customers, but asked that Congress require all Americans to have coverage in return.

Service predicts fewer elective procedures, credit troubles for hospitals The health-care industry, often deemed recession-proof, may not be so immune to the economic downturn, according to a parade of recent reports from Moody's Investors Service .

A Guernsey deputy says resigning from the health department will allow him to express his views more freely.

Political momentum is growing to make everyone buy health insurance -- or else.

Across the country, state health care programs are cutting back on funding for families with disabled children. The result is that more families struggle to get the health care they need for their children with disabilities and serious health care needs.

Major drug makers want their voices heard as U.S. Democrats, traditionally critics of the industry, start crafting plans to expand health insurance coverage and cut the escalating costs of care.