health care

Status Of Health Benefits Remains Unclear As United Auto Workers' Strike Continues

5:11pm September 24, 2019

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

While the United Auto Workers strike continues, General Motors and the union are telling different stories about what's going on with the health benefits of striking workers and their families.

Some insurers using this new payment model offer a single fee to one OB-GYN or medical practice, which then uses part of that money to cover the hospital care involved in labor and delivery. Other insurers opt to cut a separate contract with the hospital.

A New Way Of Paying For Maternity Care Aims To Reduce C-Sections

1:38pm September 20, 2019

by Carmen Heredia Rodriguez

Instead of paying doctors piecemeal for prenatal appointments and delivery of the baby, some insurers now offer medical practices one lump sum to cover it all.

A pharmacist collects packets of boxed medication from the shelves of a pharmacy in London, U.K. A proposal announced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Thursday would allow the government to directly negotiate the price of 250 U.S. drugs, using what the drugs

Health & Safety

How An 'International Price Index' Might Help Reduce Drug Prices

5:28pm September 19, 2019

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

Drugmakers hate the idea. But Nancy Pelosi and Donald Trump both say pegging the prices of U.S. medicine to what people elsewhere pay could save U.S. patients a bundle. Here's how an "IPI" might work.

Cameron and Katlynn Fischer celebrated their April wedding in Colorado. But the day before, Cameron was in such bad shape from a bachelor party hangover that he headed to an emergency room to be rehydrated. That's when their financial headaches began.

The Real Bachelor Party Hangover: A $12,460 ER Bill

4:10pm September 19, 2019

by Markian Hawryluk

The high ER charge for treating one Colorado groom's hangover the day before his wedding illustrates how emergency room bills have become major headaches for many Americans.

Ric Peralta and his wife Lisa are both able to check Ric's blood sugar levels at any time, using the Dexcom app and an arm patch that measures the levels and sends the information wirelessly.

It's Not Just Insulin: Diabetes Patients Struggle To Get Crucial Supplies

6:26pm September 18, 2019

by Bram Sable-Smith

Type 1 diabetes can be well managed with insulin if blood sugar is consistently monitored. But insurance rules can make it hard for patients to get the medical supplies their doctors say they need.

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A group gathers at the state capitol in Austin, Texas, in May to protest abortion restrictions. In defiance of the state's ban on city funding of abortion providers, the Austin City Council has found a workaround to help women seeking the procedure.

Health & Safety

As Texas Cracks Down On Abortion, Austin Votes To Help Women Defray Costs

11:01am September 17, 2019

by Ashley Lopez

The Austin City Council is defying Texas state legislators, setting aside $150,000 in city funds to help local women who seek abortions pay for attendant costs, such as transportation or child care.

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Man Tells Bernie Sanders He Will Kill Himself Because Of Medical Debt

8:14am September 16, 2019

by Scott Detrow

The presidential candidate, in a Nevada campaign stop, pushed back on criticism of his "Medicare for All" plan. Instead of asking Sanders questions, people have vented about health insurance problems.

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Health & Safety

Understanding Surprise Medical Bills Legislation

9:36am September 15, 2019

There's legislation in Congress to curb surprise medical billing. NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro talks with Emmarie Huetteman of Kaiser Health News.

Shadrack Frimpong accepts his Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award in Louisville on September 12.

A Brush With Death Propelled A 9-Year-Old To A Muhammad Ali Award

5:52pm September 13, 2019

by Diane Cole

As a poor, sick village boy in Ghana, Shadrack Frimpong remembers "praying and saying if I can keep these legs, then I will use them and work to help other people." And that's exactly what he did.

Ten democratic presidential candidates appear onstage before the start of the Democratic Presidential Debate at Texas Southern University in Houston on Thursday.

Politics & Government

5 Questions Answered About The 3rd Democratic Debate

11:24am September 13, 2019

by Domenico Montanaro

Former Vice President Joe Biden and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren faced off onstage for the first time, but Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders wound up taking much of the heat, sparing Warren.