health care

Gene Editing Tool Hailed As A Breakthrough, And It Really Is One

6:48pm December 28, 2015

by Joe Palca

A tool for modifying genes is spreading through the biomedical research world like wildfire. As part of the series Joe's Big Idea, NPR's Joe Palca explores why CRISPR-Cas9 is becoming indispensable.

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A 12-week regimen of Harvoni is 90 percent effective in curing an infection with hepatitis C, doctors say. It also costs about $95,000.

States Deny Pricey Hepatitis C Drugs To Most Medicaid Patients

3:42pm December 28, 2015

by Jake Harper

Effective treatments for hepatitis C cost as much as $95,000. Medicaid in many states, including Indiana, is mostly limiting the drugs' use to very advanced cases. ACLU of Indiana is suing the state.

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Going to an out-of-network emergency room can be costly.

ER Docs Say Rule Change Could Raise Patients' Out-Of-Network Bills

2:42pm December 24, 2015

by Michelle Andrews

Two physicians groups say federal government regulations for out-of-network emergency care payments will cost consumers more because insurers will pay less.

You might be able to get fungus-free toenails, but it could cost you.

It's Costing A Lot Of Money To Make Those Toenails Fungus-Free

5:02pm December 23, 2015

by Angus Chen

The health care system could save millions of dollars on treating toenail fungus by cutting out one test, researchers say. But that means that some people might take medication they didn't need.

A critic says filing for FDA approval to exclusively sell a drug that's been available for years is "akin to trying to patent a ladder." It also may push the price of the drug beyond the reach of many patients.

FDA Approval Could Turn A Free Drug For A Rare Disease Pricey

10:26am December 23, 2015

by Alison Kodjak

Jacobus Pharmaceutical freely gives its experimental drug to patients with a rare disease. Now a rival wants FDA approval to sell its own version — and expects to charge at least $37,500 per year.

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Dr. Irene Aguilar, a Democrat and Colorado state senator from Denver County, is also a medical internist and advocate of universal health care. She led this Denver rally in favor of the 2016 ballot measure.

Coloradans Will Put Single-Payer Health Care To A Vote

10:58am December 19, 2015

by John Daley

Colorado voters made the state the first to legalize recreational pot. In 2016, a ballot initiative could establish another first: a single-payer health system that provides universal coverage.

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Carlos Aguilera recently discussed how he played the saxophone during surgery to remove a brain tumor at Regional Hospital of Malaga, in Andalusia, Spain.

Brain Surgery Serenade: Man Plays Saxophone During Tumor Removal

8:57am December 19, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Partially sedated, Spanish musician Carlos Aguilera played "Misty" and read sheet music to help neurosurgeoons preserve his talents.

Obamacare Deadline Extended As Demand For Health Insurance Rises

5:47pm December 18, 2015

by Alison Kodjak

The deadline to sign up for an Obamacare health insurance plan starting on Jan. 1 was extended until Friday because the web site was overwhelmed. Demand was up, but that might be because the penalties for not having insurance are increasing.

Nurse practitioner Rachelle Quimpo begins an ear exam on Shreya Sasaki at a Kaiser Permanente health clinic inside a Target retail department store in San Diego, Calif., as Dr. Heidi Meyer watches via video. Kaiser says it will train medical students to p

Kaiser Permanente's New Medical School Will Focus On Teamwork

4:34pm December 18, 2015

by Julie Rovner

The California-based health care provider plans to enroll its first students in 2019. It's the latest of 20 U.S. medical schools opened in the past decade to boost the number of primary care doctors.

Lax Auditing Encouraged Overcharging By Medicare Advantage Plans

3:37pm December 18, 2015

by Fred Schulte

Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley says the federal government has to "get it right" and pursue full refunds for overpayments to companies that offer Medicare Advantage health insurance.