Why Bernie Sanders' Single-Payer Health Care Plan Failed In Vermont
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to Linda Blumberg of the Urban Institute about why Vermont was unable to establish a single-payer health care system.
health care
U.S. Census Bureau Records Improvements In Income, Poverty And Health Coverage
The U.S. Census Bureau released a trio of reports Tuesday on income, poverty and health insurance coverage. All three measures showed improvement. Real median household income increased by 3.2 percent in 2016 over the previous year, and now stands at just over $59,000. The official poverty rate fell for the second year in a row to 12.7 percent.
For Many Women, Cervical Cancer Screening May Get A Lot Simpler
For decades the Pap test was the only option for cervical cancer screening. Now there's the HPV test, too. A federal task force says that for most women, either test will do just fine.
What To Do When Your Health Insurance Won't Pay The Bills
Insurers can reduce benefits or change how much they are willing to pay for services, but they are generally supposed to give customers 60 days' notice.
Sept. 11 First Responder Fights On Behalf Of Others Who Rushed To Help
Demolition supervisor John Feal was working at ground zero 16 years ago when an 8,000-pound piece of steel crushed his foot. After being denied medical compensation, he became an advocate for others.
Nurses, Hospitals Prepared For Hurricane Irma To Ensure Patient Care Continues
Taylor Roberts is a pediatric nurse who is waiting for Hurricane Irma to pass so she can go back to work at Golisano Children's Hospital in Fort Myers, Fla.
Dental Schools Add An Urgent Lesson: Think Twice About Prescribing Opioids
Opioid painkillers prescribed by dentists have helped fuel the nation's addiction epidemic. Dental schools are teaching the next generation of dentists that there are other ways to treat pain.
Why Do People Stop Taking Their Meds? Cost Is Just One Reason
The latest NPR-Truven Health Analytics poll finds that one-third of people say they're stopped taking a prescription drug without telling their doctor. And that could be putting their health at risk.
Governors Sound Off On How To Fix Health Insurance
Senators holding hearings this week are looking for quick tweaks that will stabilize the insurance markets and make policies cheaper. Some governors want more federal money and more flexibility.
Governors Provide Plans To Fix Health Insurance Markets
Several governors were in Washington, D.C., to testify before the Senate health committee about their bipartisan plan to shore up the health insurance marketplace. NPR's Robert Siegel talks to Republican Gov. Gary Herbert of Utah and Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper of Colorado.