health care

Overdoses from heroin and other opioids have led six states to declare public health emergencies.

From Alaska To Florida, States Respond To Opioid Crisis With Emergency Declarations

6:14pm August 11, 2017

by Greg Allen

President Trump announced Thursday that his administration plans to declare a national emergency to deal with the opioid epidemic. Six states have already taken this step.

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What Could Happen If Trump Formally Declares Opioids A National Emergency

12:58pm August 11, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

The president has already called the opioid crisis an emergency. If he makes it official through a formal declaration, more money and personnel could be available to deal with the epidemic.

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A recent study shows a link between high discharge rates for live patients and hospice profit margins.

Nearly 1 In 5 Hospice Patients Discharged While Still Alive

12:41pm August 11, 2017

by Ina Jaffe

The hospices that discharge the most patients before their death also make the most money, a recent study shows.

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Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks about health care on Capitol Hill on June 26. Single-payer was a major policy plank of Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign.

Bernie Sanders Knows His Medicare-For-All Bill Won't Pass. That's Not The Point

11:52am August 11, 2017

by Scott Detrow

The Vermont senator will soon introduce a new bill for single-payer health care. The goal is mostly about pushing the Democratic Party to the left, and party leaders have tried avoiding the proposal.

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Texas Measure Would Restrict Insurance Coverage For Abortions

7:59am August 11, 2017

by Wade Goodwyn

The legislature passed the measure in a special session. Women would be required to pay a separate insurance premium to get coverage for an abortion that isn't an emergency.

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Health & Safety

Uncertainty Over Affordable Care Act Subsidies May Mean Higher Rates

7:59am August 11, 2017

Rachel Martin talks to Marc Harrison, CEO of Intermountain Healthcare, about how the uncertainty around federal subsidies in the Affordable Care Act is complicating his business. Premiums could go up.

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Democrats Fear Medicare-For-All Plan Could Sharpen Party Divisions

5:47pm August 10, 2017

by Scott Detrow

Sen. Bernie Sanders is promoting a Medicare-for-all health care plan, and some Democrats are worried it could sharpen divisions in the party.

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Andrew Ladd and Fumiko Chino at their wedding in 2006, after his cancer diagnosis. Ladd died the following year, leaving behind hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical debt.

Widowed Early, A Cancer Doctor Writes About The Harm Of Medical Debt

5:47pm August 10, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

A decade after the death of her husband, Fumiko Chino is studying the strain that uncovered medical costs put on cancer patients, even those who have insurance.

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A recent study in Delray Beach identified at least six sober homes on this street alone.

Beach Town Tries To Reverse Runaway Growth Of 'Sober Homes'

8:20am August 10, 2017

by Greg Allen

Some local and state officials in South Florida are calling for more regulation of addiction recovery residences to help combat insurance scams.

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Valeant Pharmaceuticals, based in Bridgewater Township, N.J., bought two specialty heart drugs used in emergency treatment from Marathon Pharmaceuticals in 2015, and then dramatically increased each drug's price.

47 Hospitals Slashed Their Use Of Two Key Heart Drugs After Huge Price Hikes

7:44pm August 09, 2017

by Sarah Jane Tribble

These two older drugs, nitroprusside and isoproterenol, are frequently used in emergency and intensive care situations and have no direct alternatives, say cardiologists.