Health & Safety

Republican Blake Farenthold On Changing His Position On GOP Health Care Bill

5:56am March 23, 2017

David Greene speaks with Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold of Texas. He originally didn't like the GOP health care bill, but has changed his position after meeting with the president.

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House Set To Vote On Republican Health Care Bill

5:56am March 23, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

A vote on the Republican health care plan in the House is scheduled for Thursday. Some very conservative Republicans say they'll vote against it.

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GOP Leaders Seek Votes To Pass Health Care Bill

5:56am March 23, 2017

by Tamara Keith

President Trump and top House Republicans are working to secure the votes needed to pass the GOP health care bill in the countdown to a scheduled vote in the House Thursday.

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Researchers used online data to model the vaccination rate in communities affected by an outbreak of mumps in Arkansas.

Social Media, Math And The Mystery Of A Mumps Outbreak

8:33pm March 22, 2017

by Maimuna Majumder

Since August 2016, there have been nearly 3,000 cases of mumps diagnosed in Arkansas. A epidemiologist explains how her team used online data and mathematical modeling to understand the outbreak.

Map showing county rural/small-town/metropolitan designations

Health Care Plan Championed By Trump Hurts Counties That Voted For Him

7:25pm March 22, 2017

Trump picked up big margins in small and rural counties. But those areas would take the biggest hit with tax credit changes, according to an NPR analysis of data from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

A baby receives the rotavirus vaccine during a clinical trial in Niger. The new vaccine is the first designed specifically for children in sub-Saharan Africa. It doesn't require refrigeration and will be cheaper than ones currently available.

Powdered Vaccine Raises Hopes Of Stopping A Top Killer Of Kids

6:54pm March 22, 2017

by Michaeleen Doucleff

It's aimed at rotavirus, a nasty pathogen that can cause diarrhea and kills more than 500 children a day. The secret to the vaccine is the same thing that makes space ice cream so cool.

Republican Health Care Bill Undergoes Final Changes Ahead Of Vote

6:41pm March 22, 2017

NPR's Kelly McEvers speaks with Republican Rep. Bradley Byrne of Alabama about the final changes to the GOP health care bill before it goes to a vote on Thursday.

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Jury Reaches Verdict In New England Compounding Pharmacy Trial

4:38pm March 22, 2017

by Gabrielle Emanuel

The head of a New England compounding pharmacy that produced tainted drugs was found not guilty of second degree murder but guilty on other charges. At least 25 patients died, and many others got sick.

The Government Accountability Office will investigate potential abuses of the Orphan Drug Act.

GAO Will Investigate Skyrocketing Prices For Orphan Drugs

4:20pm March 22, 2017

by Sarah Jane Tribble

The Orphan Drug Act was created to help patients with rare diseases get life-saving medications. But soaring prices suggest the law is being manipulated to increase profits.

In 2015, Medicaid spending topped $552 billion nationwide. People who receive both Medicaid and Medicare and people with disabilities account for more than half of Medicaid spending.

Limits In GOP Plan Could Shrink Seniors' Long-Term Health Benefits

3:50pm March 22, 2017

by Stephanie O'Neill

Caps in the GOP health plan have huge implications for people over 65. In addition to helping low-income seniors with long-term care, Medicaid helps pay for some of their Medicare premiums and copays.