health care

Navy veteran Amanda Wirtz looks through her correspondence with the Veterans Choice program. After the VA couldn't get her an appointment with a specialist, it sent her to the Choice program. But she still was unable to get an appointment for several mont

How Congress And The VA Left Many Veterans Without A 'Choice'

6:56pm May 17, 2016

The $10 billion Veterans Choice program was supposed to cut down on wait times and let veterans see private doctors, but less than two years later, the faltering program needs an overhaul.

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A man in Mt. Airy, Md., shakes Suboxone pills from a bottle in late March.

Treating Opioid Addiction With A Drug Raises Hope And Controversy

5:40pm May 17, 2016

by Andrea Hsu

Medication-assisted treatment uses one of several drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration to control cravings and reduce relapses. Despite the evidence, the approach is underused.

"He's off the exchange but will sell you a plan anyway."

Health & Safety

Insurers Leaving An Exchange May Still Sell Individual Plans

4:43pm May 17, 2016

by Michelle Andrews

Some insurers continue to sell coverage to individuals on the open market even after deciding to exit the health law's marketplaces.

Health & Safety

Supreme Court Sends Latest Obamacare Case Back To Lower Court

5:15am May 17, 2016

by Nina Totenberg

With a vacancy, Supreme Court justices are looking for ways to avoid tie votes on key issues. On Monday, the justices sent an Obamacare case back to a lower court — saying compromise seemed feasible.

In some New York City schools, the bathroom dispensers provide sanitary products for free.

New York Aims To Become The Next State To Toss The Tampon Tax

7:26pm May 16, 2016

by Fred Mogul

If 2015 was the year of the period, 2016 may be the year when women have to pay less for sanitary supplies, or even get them for free. Some state, local and federal legislators are pushing for change.

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Supreme Court Sends Obamacare Contraception Case Back To Lower Courts

4:24pm May 16, 2016

by Nina Totenberg

The Supreme Court Monday punted on the constitutional merits of a religious freedom challenge to the Affordable Care Act. The court said it was feasible to satisfy religious groups and women seeking contraception and sent the case back to the lower courts.

Supporters of insurance coverage for birth control rallied outside the U.S. Supreme Court in March.

As Supreme Court Sends Back Birth Control Case, Both Sides Claim Victory

4:14pm May 16, 2016

by Julie Rovner

The Supreme Court gave lower courts additional instructions to try and reach an accommodation on balancing religious rights and no-cost access to contraception.

"Some days I wake up and go, 'Am I wasting time, when I could be on chemotherapy or getting a surgery?' " asks Tony Lapinski, a Montana veteran who worries about what is causing his back pain.

Despite $10B 'Fix,' Veterans Are Waiting Even Longer To See Doctors

12:52pm May 16, 2016

A $10 billion program to eliminate long wait times and other problems for veterans' health care hasn't worked out as planned. More veterans wait even longer for care now than they did a year ago.

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Kelli Glenn holds a photo of her father while he was in the hospital.

Suddenly Paralyzed, 2 Men Struggle To Recover From Guillain-Barre

8:30am May 16, 2016

by Rae Ellen Bichell

Guillain-Barre syndrome can render healthy people temporarily paralyzed. It's something you're likely to hear more about as Zika continues to spread. And for those who get it, it is one wild ride.

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Reviving Memory With An Electrical Current

9:33am May 14, 2016

by Bret Stetka

While still experimental, deep brain stimulation with implanted electrodes is being tested as a way to ease dementia in patients with Alzheimer's and other neurological conditions. Could it work?