health care

Trump Signs Extension To Sept. 11 Victims Compensation Fund

6:22am July 30, 2019

by William Jones

After years of legislative gridlock, the victim compensation fund has been extended to ensure permanent funding for rescue workers whose jobs after the terror attacks caused health problems.

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A rock of crystal methamphetamine lifted from a suspect in Orange County, Calif. This fall, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expects to begin collecting more local information about the rising use of meth, cocaine and other stimulants.

Seizures Of Methamphetamine Are Surging In The U.S.

11:40pm July 29, 2019

by Martha Bebinger

The amount of meth seized in the U.S. more than doubled from 2017 to 2018. That translates to lots more meth, along with cocaine and other stimulants, on the streets — and likely more deaths.

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Doctors In The U.S. Use CRISPR Technique To Treat A Genetic Disorder For The 1st Time

5:24pm July 29, 2019

by Rob Stein

For the first time, doctors have used the gene-editing technique CRISPR to treat a genetic disorder in the U.S. The patient, who has sickle cell disease, spoke with NPR about her treatment.

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Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., co-sponsored Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' "Medicare for All" bill, along with several other 2020 candidates, when it was released in 2017. Her plan has some key differences from Sanders', including a larger role for private i

Kamala Harris Releases 'Medicare For All' Plan With A Role For Private Insurers

1:06pm July 29, 2019

by Danielle Kurtzleben

The plan clears up confusion over Harris' position, allowing private Medicare plans that follow certain standards. New taxes would be added on stock trades and households earning over $100,000.

Fact Check: Do State Health Plan Changes Deny State Employees Access To Care?

1:02pm July 29, 2019

by Elizabeth Thompson

Hospitals have rallied against Republican State Treasurer Dale Folwell's new health care program, saying it will hurt state employees.

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Why Democratic Presidential Candidates Are Eager To Talk About Health Care

9:36am July 29, 2019

by Danielle Kurtzleben

Democratic candidates are offering competing visions for how to tweak or overhaul the nation's health care system ahead of this week's presidential debate.

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Bill Of The Month Update On Story Involving Kidney Dialysis

7:41am July 29, 2019

by Kevin Trevellyan

The medical bill of the month story that Morning Edition brought you last Monday — half a million dollars for kidney dialysis — has been reduced to zero by the company that owns the dialysis center.

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Altovise Ewing, who has a doctorate in human genetics and counseling, now works as a genetic counselor and researcher at 23andMe, one of the largest direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies, based in Mountain View, Calif.

Genetic Counselors Of Color Tackle Racial, Ethnic Disparities In Health Care

8:11am July 27, 2019

by Erika Stallings

They work with patients to decide when genetic testing is appropriate, interpret test results and counsel families on the ways hereditary diseases might impact them. A trusting relationship is key.

Sovereign Valentine, a personal trainer in Plains, Mont., needs dialysis for his end-stage renal disease. When he first started dialysis treatments, Fresenius Kidney Care clinic in Missoula charged $13,867.74 per session, or about 59 times the $235 Medica

Dialysis Firm Cancels $524,600.17 Medical Bill After Journalists Investigate

12:19pm July 26, 2019

by Jenny Gold

This week, NPR profiled a Montana man who was billed nearly half a million dollars for 14 weeks of dialysis, after being caught in a dispute between insurer and the dialysis provider. Now he owes $0.

Computer illustration of malignant B-cell lymphocytes seen in Burkitt's lymphoma, the most common childhood cancer in sub-Saharan Africa.

How To Bring Cancer Care To The World's Poorest Children

11:44am July 26, 2019

by Patrick Adams

For children in developing countries, cancer care is largely out of reach. But new research is challenging assumptions that it's too costly and complicated.