health care

Medicare Didn't Investigate Suspicious Reports Of Hospital Infections

2:11pm May 09, 2017

by Christina Jewett

The inspector general at Health and Human Services says Medicare should have done an in-depth review of suspicious reports from hospitals to keep them from covering up problems with infections.

Because of the heavy lifting the job demands, Raub sees a local trainer to help keep his spine healthy for further physical endeavors.

New Businesses Give Restaurant Workers The Tips They Ache For: Wellness

7:00am May 09, 2017

by Dakota Kim

Waiting, cooking and tending bar can take a heavy toll on the body and mind. Several health-minded support services are springing up to help workers stay in the game for the long term.

Congress Needs To Address Deeper Issues Hurting Health Care, Pearl Says

6:54am May 09, 2017

Rachel Martin talks to Dr. Robert Pearl, who has been watching congressional efforts to overhaul health care. Pearl is CEO of health care insurer and provider, The Permanente Medical Group.

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Two-year-old Ryan Lennon Fines was born with a condition called esophageal atresia that requires expensive medical treatment. His family worries the new GOP health bill would make it harder for Ryan to get insurance in the future because of his pre-existi

GOP Health Bill Leaves Many 'Pre-Existing Condition' Protections Up To States

9:40pm May 08, 2017

by Bram Sable-Smith

Before the Affordable Care Act, people with pre-existing conditions often couldn't get health insurance — or paid sky-high premiums. The bill passed by the House last week would let states decide.

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Longevity disparities in the U.S. have developed depending on where people live, new research shows.

Life Expectancy Can Vary By 20 Years Depending On Where You Live

9:17pm May 08, 2017

by Rob Stein

Geographic inequality in life span is growing in the United States, with people in some counties living more than 20 years longer than those in others.

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A public restroom on the platform of the Central Square MBTA station in Cambridge, Mass., which people have used as a place for getting high.

Public Restrooms Become Ground Zero In The Opioid Epidemic

5:34pm May 08, 2017

by Martha Bebinger

People often turn to public restrooms as a place to get high on opioids. It has led some establishments to close their facilities, while others are training employees to help people who overdose.

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Miniature oranges spill out of a pill bottle.

Fresh Food By Prescription: This Health Care Firm Is Trimming Costs — And Waistlines

5:32pm May 08, 2017

by Allison Aubrey

The rising prevalence and cost of Type 2 diabetes has doctors at Geisinger Health System turning to food as a form of medicine. They're prescribing free, fresh food to low-income patients.

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Obama Calls On Congress To Have 'Courage' On Health Care

1:58pm May 08, 2017

by Vanessa Romo

Receiving the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for his own work on health care, the former president said, "It actually doesn't take a lot of courage to aid those who are already powerful."

House Speaker Paul Ryan (center) walks to the House chamber ahead of a budget vote on Capitol Hill. Though Ryan was able to deliver 217 votes Thursday to get his GOP health plan through the House, there are still significant hurdles before the bill become

5 Things To Watch As GOP Health Bill Moves To The Senate

6:45pm May 07, 2017

by Julie Rovner

Just three "no" votes by Senate Republicans would likely be enough to sink the GOP health bill. Democrats who lost the battle in the House are still convinced they can win the political war.

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Democrats Promise A Bruising Senate Battle Over Health Care

8:16am May 07, 2017

NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro asks Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan about her plans to oppose the GOP's health care bill.