health care

Amanda Williammee and her daughter Taycee. Now a happy preschooler, the little girl was born with neonatal abstinence syndrome — a condition that includes opioid withdrawal symptoms like tremors, irritability, sleep problems and high-pitched crying.

For Babies Of The Opioid Crisis, Best Care May Be Mom's Recovery

6:00pm May 08, 2018

by Sarah Jane Tribble

Early findings on infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome are reassuring, and doctors are optimistic that normal development can continue. Making sure parents are treated for addiction is key.

The House bill calls for $65 million in loans and grants, administered by the USDA, to establish "association-style" health plans that likely wouldn't have to cover hospitalization, prescription drugs or emergency care.

Farm Bill Could Undo Part Of The Affordable Care Act

5:00am May 08, 2018

by Julie Appleby

A provision now in the House's bill would help agricultural groups set up association health plans. Such plans, favored alternatives of the GOP, aim to reduce health care costs for small groups.

The Surgeon General recommends more Americans carry naloxone, the opioid overdose antidote.

Health & Safety

Reversing An Overdose Isn't Complicated, But Getting The Antidote Can Be

7:55am May 07, 2018

by Jake Harper

The U.S. surgeon general has recommended that naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug, be widely available to consumers. But there are several barriers to consumers' ability to acquire it.

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Telemedicine is helping transgender populations in rural areas receive health care.

Health & Safety

Telemedicine Takes Transgender Care Beyond The City

9:01am May 05, 2018

by Keren Landman

In rural areas, doctors and nurses competent in transgender care are hard to find. It can also be a challenge to locate providers who offer respectful care for issues unrelated to gender identity.

Why Few Of The Millions Of Elder Abuse Cases Get Reported Each Year

4:43pm May 04, 2018

It's hard to measure the total cost to society of scammers and family members who prey on the elderly. Journalist Nick Leiber reports that a conservative estimate is $37 billion every year. Leiber talks about his reporting for Bloomberg with NPR's Audie Cornish.

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An average of 13,776 inmates in 45 California counties were on psychotropic medications in 2016-2017, a recent report found. That is up from 10,999 five years ago.

Big Jump Seen In Number Of Inmates Prescribed Psychiatric Drugs In California

4:16pm May 04, 2018

by Anna Gorman

Amid a severe shortage of psychiatric beds and community-based treatment throughout the state and nation, county jails have become repositories for people in the throes of acute mental health crises.

Veterans Groups Concerned That Lack Of VA Leadership Will Hurt Millions Of Veterans

6:21pm May 03, 2018

by Quil Lawrence

The Department of Veterans Affairs still lacks a secretary and many inside and outside the vast agency say a lack of leadership is affecting its mission.

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Britain's Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Hunt arrives at 10 Downing Street in central London on March 13.

British Health Services Failed To Send Mammogram Notices And Some Women May Have Died

6:13pm May 03, 2018

by Camila Domonoske

Nearly half a million English women around age 70 did not get notified that they were due for a mammogram because of a "computer algorithm error," the health secretary says.

Under the Affordable Care Act, many insurance plans are required to cover a range of essential services, such as hospitalization and prescription drugs. But reimbursement for certain medical equipment — such as crutches or a leg boot after an injury —

Sprained Your Ankle? The Cost Of A Walking Boot Could Sprain Your Wallet

5:00am May 03, 2018

by Michelle Andrews

Your health insurance plan might not cover items such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, boots and braces. The cost is small compared with many medical bills, but adds up if you pay out-of-pocket.

President Trump shakes hands with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar after he is sworn in by Vice President Pence on Jan. 29. Major reproductive health organizations are voicing concerns about the Trump administration's new approach to federal

Planned Parenthood Sues To Block Trump's 'Radical Shift' In Family Planning Program

12:08pm May 02, 2018

by Sarah McCammon

The Trump administration's proposed changes to the federal Title X program would put the health of millions of low-income patients at risk, according to Planned Parenthood.