health care

Morning News Brief: Americans Pessimistic About GOP Health Care, U.S.-German Tensions

8:17am May 31, 2017

A new poll shows Americans are pessimistic about repealing the Affordable Care Act. Ingo Zamperoni of ARD news discusses U.S.-German relations. And a labor activist in China has gone missing.

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Some people using brokers to buy insurance through healthcare.gov will no longer have to go through a multi-step process to enroll.

New Rules May Make Online Health Insurance Sales Simpler

5:00am May 31, 2017

by Michelle Andrews

A rules change lets insurers and brokers sell health coverage on the federal exchange directly. That should be easier, but also raises questions about whether customers get unbiased information.

A 4-year-old regulation in New York state requires doctors and hospitals to treat sepsis using a protocol that some researchers now question.

Are State Rules For Treating Sepsis Really Saving Lives?

5:14pm May 30, 2017

by Richard Harris

Some states dictate how doctors must treat this life-threatening reaction to infection, and early intervention is helping. But scientific evidence may be changing too rapidly for the rules to keep up.

French pharmaceutical group Sanofi is expected to receive an exclusive license to market a new Zika vaccine.

States Fear Price Of New Zika Vaccine Will Be More Than They Can Pay

3:42pm May 30, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

The vaccine against Zika vaccine was developed by the Army, with the government paying for clinical trials, too. Health officials want to be sure drugmaker Sanofi Pasteur doesn't make it unaffordable.

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Cash-Strapped Seniors Turn To Assisted Living Centers In Mexico

7:13pm May 29, 2017

by Claire Trageser

Some seniors are moving to Mexico for assisted living care. Costs at these facilities are much cheaper, but family members worry about the distance and their loved one's access to medical care.

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Adult ADHD can be difficult to diagnose.

Adult ADHD Can't Be Diagnosed With A Simple Screening Test, Doctors Warn

9:12am May 29, 2017

by Rebecca Hersher

Despite support from the World Health Organization for the latest adult ADHD screening survey, some researchers worry that it will lead to over-prescribing of powerful amphetamines.

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One hospital in California has created designated no-handshake zones in an effort to curtail the spread of germs.

Handshake-Free Zones Target Spread Of Germs In The Hospital

8:38am May 29, 2017

by Anna Gorman

Hospital-acquired infections can be life-threatening, and unwashed hands are often to blame. One hospital in California thinks banishing handshakes could help reduce infections.

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The good old reflex hammer (like this Taylor model) might seem like an outdated medical device, but its role in diagnosing disease is still as important as ever.

In The Age Of Digital Medicine, The Humble Reflex Hammer Hangs On

5:00am May 28, 2017

by Bret Stetka

Nearly 130 years since its inception, a modest knob of rubber with a metal handle is still invaluable in diagnosing disease and avoiding expensive testing. But its history is anything but simple.

Charmayne Healy (l) and Miranda Kirk (r), co-founders of the Aaniiih Nakoda Anti-Drug Movement, have helped Melinda Healy, center, with their peer-support programs.

Two Sisters Try To Tackle Drug Use At A Montana Indian Reservation

5:00am May 27, 2017

by Nora Saks

With a lack of treatment options at the Fort Belknap reservation, the pair has sparked a grassroots response to substance abuse by creating peer support groups — the only choice for many seeking help.

In Arizona, Doctors Criticize Tightening Of Late Abortion Rules

5:19pm May 26, 2017

by Will Stone

Many states have laws about what to do if there are signs of life after an abortion. But Arizona legislators have passed new rules that some doctors say go against national standards of care.

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