health care

Health & Safety

How A Lawsuit Challenging Obamacare Could Affect People With Pre-Existing Conditions

5:05pm March 28, 2019

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Sabrina Corlette from Georgetown University's Center on Health Insurance Reforms about how a lawsuit against Obamacare could impact people with pre-existing conditions.

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Health & Safety

Federal Judge Throws Out Arkansas' Medicaid Work Requirements

4:19pm March 28, 2019

NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Arkansas Department of Human Services Director Cindy Gillespie about a judge's decision to block Arkansas' work requirements for Medicaid recipients.

Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, a Republican, speaks to state legislators in 2018. Bevin, who is running for re-election this fall, asked the federal government to impose work requirements on many people who receive Medicaid. Bevin's predecessor, a Democrat, di

Federal Judge Again Blocks States' Work Requirements For Medicaid

8:10pm March 27, 2019

by Phil Galewitz

The Trump administration's plan to force some Medicaid recipients to work to maintain benefits took another hit Wednesday when a U.S. district judge blocked such work rules in Kentucky and Arkansas.

Health & Safety

Federal Judge Strikes Down Medicaid Work Requirements In Arkansas And Kentucky

6:36pm March 27, 2019

by Alison Kodjak

A federal judge has struck down a Medicaid work requirement in Arkansas and Kentucky. This is a major blow to the Trump administration's vision for the health insurance program for low-income people.

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President Trump speaks to reporters as he arrives for a Senate Republican lunch on Capitol Hill on Tuesday.

Politics & Government

Republican Lawmakers Brace For Impact Of Renewed Push To Repeal Obamacare

4:08pm March 27, 2019

by Susan Davis

The Trump administration's decision to fight for total repeal of the Affordable Care Act in court sent shock waves across Congress, where lawmakers were caught off guard by the renewed repeal effort.

Both Democrats and Republicans have introduced proposals that would impose a cap on out-of-pocket costs of prescription drugs for Medicare patients. But it's still unclear whether those moves will gain a foothold.

Medicare's Uncapped Drug Costs Take A Big Bite From Already Tight Budgets

9:10am March 27, 2019

by Michelle Andrews

Unlike many private health plans, Medicare has no cap on out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs in Part D. As the cost of specialty drugs rises, some Medicare patients owe thousands of dollars.

Oklahoma Attorney General On Purdue Pharma Settlement

5:36am March 27, 2019

NPR's Rachel Martin speaks to Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter about his state's settlement against Purdue Pharma, the maker of the powerful opioid OxyContin.

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., walks to a Democratic Caucus meeting at the Capitol on Tuesday. She told lawmakers to "stay focused on our purpose for the people" with the end of the special counsel's Russia investigation.

After Mueller Report Memo, Democrats Turn To Health Care — For Now

11:35pm March 26, 2019

by Brian Naylor

After the special counsel apparently found no conspiracy by the Trump campaign to attack the 2016 election with Russia, Democrats in Congress want to focus on health care with help from the president.

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Health & Safety

Women Tell FDA That More Research Is Needed On Health Risks Of Breast Implants

6:02pm March 26, 2019

by Patti Neighmond

Advisers to the FDA concluded a meeting Tuesday on the safety of breast implants. What's emerged is a lack of scientific certainty about the risks implants pose to millions of women who have them.

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Purdue Pharma Reaches $270 Million Opioid Settlement With Oklahoma

6:02pm March 26, 2019

by Brian Mann

Purdue Pharma, the maker of opioid OxyContin, has reached a $270 million civil settlement with the state of Oklahoma.

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