Economy

The nearly 5,600-page legislative package that Congress passed in December includes new laws regarding aid to rural hospitals, funds for training more physicians, modest improvements in mental health care parity, and medical bill transparency.

Beyond COVID-19: 4 Other Key Health Issues Congress Recently Addressed

5:00am January 28, 2021

by Emmarie Huetteman

The huge spending bill Congress passed last month included aid to rural hospitals, training for new doctors, new rules regarding mental health coverage and requirements for billing transparency.

Mikkel and Kayla Kjelshus' daughter, Charlie, had a complication during delivery that caused her oxygen levels to drop and put her at risk for brain damage. Charlie needed seven days of neonatal intensive care, which resulted in a huge bill — $207,455 f

'Birthday Rule' Blindsides First-Time Parents With A Mammoth Medical Bill

6:15pm January 27, 2021

by Cara Anthony

An insurance regulation known as "the birthday rule" is tripping up couples who are putting their newborn children on the wrong policy and risk losing thousands of dollars.

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A sign noting a retail space is available for lease appears in San Francisco in December. A resurgence in the pandemic likely dealt a major blow to the U.S. economy in the fourth quarter.

Down But Not Out: Pandemic Likely Dealt Blow To Economy, But There's Room For Hope

6:04pm January 27, 2021

by Scott Horsley

The U.S. economy is likely to have slowed in the last three months of the year, ending 2020 smaller than it began. But for some companies, business is now back to pre-pandemic levels.

Economy

Reddit Users Vs. Wall Street Giant In Fight Over GameStop Stock Value

4:18pm January 27, 2021

by Mary Childs

A group of amateur stock investors has banded together on Reddit to take on a Wall Street giant in a fight for the value of the stock for GameStop. For now, the little guys are winning.

Housing discrimination against communities of color also involves lenders, local zoning laws and other issues, says Andre Perry, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

Biden's Push Against Housing Discrimination Must Go Beyond HUD, Researcher Says

2:09pm January 27, 2021

Andre Perry of Brookings says discrimination against communities of color also involves lenders, zoning laws and other issues in which the Department of Housing and Urban Development is less involved.

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Iraqis Forced To Cope With Country's Economic Hard Times

6:17am January 27, 2021

by Alice Fordham

In Iraq, a huge share of the country relies on government salaries. But the government relies on oil revenues which have been falling. The purchasing power of average Iraqis has dropped.

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New Treasury Secretary Wants Congress To 'Act Big' With Pandemic Response

4:22pm January 26, 2021

by Scott Horsley

Janet Yellen, who was sworn in as Treasury secretary on Tuesday, is urging lawmakers to "act big" in response to the pandemic. But some Republican lawmakers are balking at increased government debt.

Lights placed as a memorial to COVID-19 victims surround the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Jan. 19. Some economists believe deaths tied to alcohol use, drug use and suicides have risen during the pandemic as the isolation felt by many has taken an e

They Lost Sons To Drug Overdoses: How The Pandemic May Be Fueling Deaths Of Despair

11:43am January 26, 2021

by Scott Horsley

As drug overdose deaths rise during the pandemic, a former White House economist says social isolation could be partly to blame.

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Several brands of cereal boxes fill the shelves at a grocery store.

Is Your 401(k) Colluding To Make Cereal More Expensive?

6:31am January 26, 2021

by Greg Rosalsky

A new study investigates whether common ownership of cereal makers by institutional investors is leading them to become a kind of stealth monopoly.

Janet Yellen addresses an event last month introducing the incoming Biden administration's economic team in Wilmington, Del. Yellen is the first woman to lead the Treasury Department.

Janet Yellen Confirmed By Senate, Making History As First Female Treasury Secretary

7:07pm January 25, 2021

by Scott Horsley

Janet Yellen was confirmed by the Senate to serve as Treasury secretary. She'll be the first woman to hold that post and will lead the Biden administration's efforts to address the pandemic recession.