Why Air Ambulance Bills Are Still Sky-High
The median air ambulance bill is more than $36,000 and is seldom covered by health plans. So far, legislative hurdles and industry pressure have kept Congress from stepping in.
health care
Federal Grants Restricted To Fighting Opioids Miss The Mark, States Say
The U.S. government has doled out at least $2.4 billion in state grants since 2017, specifically targeting the opioid epidemic. Yet drug abuse problems seldom involve only one substance.
Ban On Abortion Funding Stays In House Bill As 2020 Democrats Promise Repeal
Presidential candidates oppose the Hyde Amendment, which bars federal funding for abortion services. But House Democrats kept it in a spending package that's expected to pass in the coming days.
How One Father Became A Leading Activist In The Fight Against Opioids
When Greg McNeil's son Sam died of a heroin overdose in 2015, after first becoming addicted to prescription pain pills, the father reinvented himself as an opioid activist.
Rural Health: Financial Insecurity Plagues Many Who Live With Disability
Having to come up with $1,000 unexpectedly can be a challenge for anyone. NPR's recent poll on rural health found that especially true for one group: people with disabilities.
'Patients Will Die': One County's Challenge To Trump's 'Conscience Rights' Rule
California's Santa Clara County argues that if the rule goes into effect in July, the county will suffer irreparable harm in terms of patient care and staffing costs.
Health Workers Still Aren't Alerting Police About Likely Elder Abuse, Reports Find
Workers in nursing homes, hospital ERs and other health facilities are required by law to notify police whenever they notice likely signs of physical or sexual abuse. But that's often not happening.
Expert Panel Recommends Wider Use Of Daily Pill To Prevent HIV Infections
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says people at high risk of being infected with HIV should be offered a daily pill containing antiretroviral medications. The drug's cost remains a hurdle.
How Safe Is Sunscreen And How Much Should We Wear?
NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Trisha Calvo of Consumer Reports about a study that finds the active ingredients in sunscreen may be absorbed into the bloodstream.
California's Budget Proposal Would Expand Health Care To Some Undocumented Immigrants
The Democratic-controlled Legislature agreed to let low-income residents under 26 to receive Medi-Cal regardless of immigration status. It could cover up to 138,000 people — a cost of $98 million.