health care

Rep. Ted Yoho Explains Why He's Voting Against GOP Health Care Bill

4:28pm March 21, 2017

NPR's Kelly McEvers talks with Rep. Ted Yoho of Florida about why he's voting no on the GOP health care bill, despite the president's attempt to persuade lawmakers to vote yes Tuesday.

Christopher Milford in his apartment in East Boston, Mass. He quit abusing opioids after getting endocarditis three times.

Doctors Consider Ethics Of Costly Heart Surgery For People Addicted To Opioids

11:19am March 21, 2017

by Jack Rodolico

A troubling trend has followed the opioid epidemic: People who use intravenous drugs are getting heart infections, driving up hospital bills and stirring an ethical debate among doctors.

Queue Listen Now

The GOP health plan has its own penalty for people who don't have health insurance. The "continuous coverage" penalty increases the cost of the premiums for anyone buying an individual insurance policy if they have gone 63 or more consecutive days without

GOP Health Plan Has Its Own Financial Stick To Prod People To Buy Insurance

9:32am March 21, 2017

The GOP plan would fine insurance buyers who had a lapse in coverage of more than 63 days a year. The penalty? A 30 percent surcharge every month for 12 months.

Can An Obamacare Architect Find Common Ground With Trump?

8:57am March 21, 2017

Steve Inskeep talks to Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, one of the architects of Obamacare, who is now advising President Trump on how to replace it. Emanuel met for the third time with Trump on Monday.

Queue Listen Now

Gov. Sam Brownback delivers his State of the State address to a joint session of the Kansas Legislature in Topeka, Kan., on Jan. 10. Lawmakers are considering whether to expand Medicaid, which Brownback opposes.

As ACA Repeal Vote Nears, Kansas Debates Expanding Medicaid

3:49pm March 20, 2017

by Jim McLean

An estimated 300,000 Kansans could qualify for health care coverage, which comes as Congress debates replacing the Affordable Care Act.

Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., chair of the House Freedom Caucus, speaks during a news conference on Affordable Care Act replacement legislation in February.

Leading The Charge Against The GOP Health Plan, Rep. Mark Meadows Is Right At Home

3:37pm March 20, 2017

by Phil Galewitz

Republican Rep. Mark Meadows enjoys strong support in his western North Carolina district as he leads conservative opposition to the GOP's health overhaul plan.

President Trump attends a meeting on health care at the White House last week. The bill is facing opposition from all sides. Without its passage, everything else on Trump's agenda could be slowed.

Trump Faces Critical Phase, As He Tries To Make His Rhetoric Reality

2:49pm March 20, 2017

by Domenico Montanaro

The GOP deadline to pass health care is the first week of April. If it doesn't happen, everything else gets pushed back. Trump's agenda faces two big tests this week, from the Supreme Court to Russia.

Health & Safety

Insurance Industry Worried By GOP Plan To Replace Obamacare, Consultant Says

12:14pm March 20, 2017

Steve Inskeep talks to Robert Laszewski, a health policy consultant, about how the Republican's plan to reform health care would effect insurers. Laszewski had a long career in the insurance industry.

Queue Listen Now

NPR and Kaiser Health News take on your questions about the GOP bill to replace the Affordable Care Act.

Tax Credits, Penalties And Age Rating: Parsing The GOP Health Bill

12:14pm March 20, 2017

As the GOP bill to replace the Affordable Care Act begins to move through Congress, reporters for NPR and Kaiser answer your questions about what it might mean for your health plan.

Queue Listen Now

Luke Franco, 26, works three jobs and doesn't know whether he qualifies for Medicaid or a subsidy to buy coverage on the exchange set up under the Affordable Care Act.

How Millennials Win And Lose Under The GOP Health Bill

8:36am March 19, 2017

by Kristin Gourlay

The Affordable Care Act covers 8 million millennials through Medicaid expansion, insurance exchanges, and the ability to stay on a parent's plan until age 26. The GOP health bill limits some options.

Queue Listen Now