health care costs

Through home visits, very ill people get help with pain, stress and symptoms. Medical centers, initially skeptical, now embrace the program because it helps patients and makes financial sense.

House Republicans are taking another stab at replacing the Affordable Care Act. But industry analysts say cutting required coverage won't meet their goal of lowering premiums for individual insurance.

The Veterans Choice program was supposed to make it quicker and easier for vets to see a doctor by paying for private-sector care. But it's ended up being slower and more complicated.

At issue are alleged overpayments from the government to the the insurer UnitedHealth Group, which runs popular Medicare Advantage plans.

Many patients like the convenience of being able to quickly consult a doctor by text or phone or webcam instead of heading to an urgent care clinic. But the cost of consultations can add up.

House Republicans altered their health care bill to let states decide what coverage is required. That would make it harder to buy coverage for childbirth or chronic illness, analysts say.

Cancer patients increasingly delay or skip taking medication because they can't afford it. New drugs that can cost $100,000 or more a year mean more people suffering "financial toxicity."

The Congressional Budget Office says millions of people would lose coverage under the proposed House bill. But the CBO's definition of insurance is more generous than what Republicans want.

The bill proposes big changes to state and federal Medicaid programs and tax advantages for people who can afford to save up for health care costs.