health care

Kathi Kolb, a Rhode Island physical therapist, says she's frustrated that fewer than half of eligible breast cancer patients receive a shorter course of radiation, even though studies proved it was safe nearly 10 years ago.

Health & Safety

Many Breast Cancer Patients Receive More Radiation Therapy Than Needed

6:00am October 21, 2017

by Liz Szabo

Unnecessary treatment of breast cancer and other diseases is pervasive. Overtreatment adds enormous costs to the health care system and, at times, burdens patients with needless suffering.

Helping her father die at home "was the most meaningful experience in my nursing career," said Rose Crumb. She went on to found Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County in Port Angeles, Wash.

Health & Safety

Rural Hospice That Spurns Federal Funds Has Offered Free Care for 40 Years

12:43pm October 20, 2017

by JoNel Aleccia

The founder of a tiny Washington state hospice that depends on community volunteers and donations says the unconventional approach allows for more flexible care.

Health & Safety

Rep. Tom Cole Weighs In On Bipartisan Health Plan

8:19am October 20, 2017

A bipartisan health care deal was introduced in the Senate. While there's a chance it could pass there, it faces a tougher time in the House. Rachel Martin talks to Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma.

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Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, talks to reporters on Capitol Hill Wednesday.

Sure, There's A Health Care Deal. That Doesn't Mean It Can Pass

5:13pm October 19, 2017

by Susan Davis

Opposition from conservatives and waffling support from President Trump remain serious hurdles for the first-ever bipartisan legislation affecting the Affordable Care Act.

The Washington Post reports that President Trump, shown here with former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, personally intervened to delay approval of Iowa's waiver application.

Administration Sends Mixed Signals On State Health Insurance Waivers

9:05am October 19, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

When states applied for waivers from Obamacare rules to reduce premiums and strengthen their insurance markets, they didn't get the answers they wanted, prompting some to suggest a conspiracy.

Details Of Bipartisan Health Insurance Plan Come Into Focus

8:11am October 19, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

Text of legislation, obtained by NPR, offers ways to fix the Affordable Care Act that some Republicans and Democrats favor. Whether it ever becomes law, is a different question.

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Political Fight Over Condolence Calls, Health Bill Addresses 'Bailout' Concerns

7:50am October 19, 2017

by Tamara Keith

Back and forth over Trump condolence calls escalates. A part of the health bill has to do with payments to insurance companies that are supposed to go to subsidizing coverage for low income customers.

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Sen. Kaine Backs Measure To Stabilize The ACA's Insurance Markets

7:50am October 19, 2017

David Greene talks to Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia about a new bipartisan health care proposal out of the Senate that looks to stabilize insurance markets shaken by President Trump last week.

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Morning News Brief: Puerto Rico, Senate Health Care Plan

6:00am October 19, 2017

President Trump welcomes the governor of Puerto Rico to the White House Thursday. A bipartisan bill in the Senate to help stabilize Affordable Care Act marketplaces is officially released on Thursday.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., leaders of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, meet before the start of a hearing on Capitol Hill.

Draft Of Health Care Bill Addresses Trump Concerns About 'Bailouts' For Insurers

4:49pm October 18, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

A draft of the bipartisan legislation obtained by NPR would restore subsidies to insurance companies to assist low-income consumers and require them to go to consumers as rebates.