health care

Aetna announced it has called off a proposed deal to buy its rival Humana after a court blocked the merger on the grounds it would hurt competition in the health insurance market.

Aetna And Humana Call Off Merger After Court Decision

12:01pm February 14, 2017

by Rebecca Hersher

The two healthcare giants said they were no longer pursuing the deal. A federal judge blocked the merger in January, citing its likely adverse effect on competition in the health insurance market.

Jason Early has been getting dialysis for the past 18 months after his kidneys failed following complications with Type 1 diabetes.

Texas Judge Upends Effort To Limit Charity Funding For Kidney Care

11:47am February 14, 2017

by Michelle Andrews

A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction barring the government from enforcing a rule allowing insurers to refuse to insure dialysis patients who get financial assistance from charity groups.

Obamacare And Affordable Care Act Are The Same, But Americans Still Don't Know That

6:09pm February 11, 2017

Morning Consult Chief Research Officer Kyle Dropp talks about a recent survey which shows one third of respondents are still confused about the Affordable Care Act and what repealing it would mean.

Malnutrition Is Killing Nigeria's Children Because Of Food Shortage

6:09pm February 11, 2017

International groups warn of a looming food crisis in parts of Nigeria due to civil conflict. Children are the most vulnerable in these conditions, but up to 9 million people could be affected.

Planned Parenthood supporters and an opponent of the organization try to block each other's signs during a protest and counterprotest Saturday in St. Louis.

Protests Against Planned Parenthood Rouse Dueling Rallies Nationwide

4:25pm February 11, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

Across the U.S., anti-abortion protesters flocked to clinics to demand the defunding of Planned Parenthood. In many cities, supporters showed up to counterprotest — sometimes right across the street.

Trump And Republicans' Timeline For Obamacare Repeal Getting Longer

7:37am February 11, 2017

NPR's Scott Simon talks to the Republican former Rep. Richard Hanna about the Affordable Care Act. Hanna says despite Trump's pledge to repeal it, he thinks the ACA will largely survive.

Dr. Farooq Habib (left) and Dr. Muhammad Tauseef share an office at Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic in Dallas. They're both from Pakistan and have both worked as pediatricians in medically underserved areas in the U.S.

Trump Travel Ban Spotlights U.S. Dependence On Foreign-Born Doctors

5:50am February 11, 2017

by Lauren Silverman

A quarter of doctors practicing in the U.S. went to medical school elsewhere. Many of these physicians practice in parts of this country that the government says need more primary care providers.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, is looking into how the Orphan Drug Act may be affecting a wide range of drug prices.

Sen. Grassley Launches Inquiry Into Orphan Drug Law's Effect On Prices

1:20pm February 10, 2017

by Sarah Jane Tribble

Citing a Kaiser Health News investigation, Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, will examine potential abuses of incentives to spur development of drugs for rare diseases.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price was part of the GOP Doctors Caucus while he served in the House of Representatives.

GOP Docs Rise To Power As Congress Retools Health Care Law

11:53am February 10, 2017

by Phil Galewitz

The nation's doctors are more Democratic, female, and supportive of the Affordable Care Act than their physician counterparts in Congress.

Tom Price, pictured during his Senate hearing on Jan. 18, has been confirmed as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Tom Price Confirmed As Secretary Of Health And Human Services

9:43am February 10, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

The Georgia congressman, dogged by ethics questions, will run the $1 trillion agency and is expected to help dismantle the Affordable Care Act.