health care

Missouri Hospital CEO On Understaffed Rural Hospitals Overstressed By Pandemic

5:39pm October 31, 2020

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Dr. Randy Tobler, CEO of Scotland County Hospital in Memphis, Mo., about the impact the coronavirus surge is having on his facility and staff.

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Tony Potts, a 69-year-old retiree living in Ormond Beach, Fla., receives his first injection earlier this year as a participant in a Phase 3 clinical trial of Moderna's COVID-19 candidate vaccine.

Advisers To CDC Debate How COVID-19 Vaccine Should Be Rolled Out

9:41pm October 30, 2020

In advance of a COVID-19 vaccine being available, a group of independent medical advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention weighed Friday who should get the vaccine first and how.

How Presidential Election Could Reshape Medicaid

4:58pm October 30, 2020

by Blake Farmer

Medicaid provides health care for millions of low-income Americans. The presidential election could reshape Medicaid — at a critical moment for health care.

The ICU at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, Fla., was 99% full this week, according to an internal report produced by the federal government. It's among numerous hospitals the report highlighted with ICUs filled to over 90% capacity.

Internal Documents Reveal COVID-19 Hospitalization Data The Government Keeps Hidden

9:30am October 30, 2020

Where are hospitals reaching capacity? Which metro areas are running out of beds? NPR has learned federal agencies collect and analyze this information in detail but don't share it with the public.

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Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has detailed plans to combat the coronavirus crisis.

Coronavirus Is A Key Campaign Issue: What's Joe Biden's Plan?

5:59pm October 28, 2020

by Allison Aubrey

With cases surging, the coronavirus pandemic is heating up as an election issue. Voters have seen President Trump's approach to the crisis play out in real-time, but how would Biden handle things?

Politics & Government

Candidates In A Closely Watched State Senate Race Differ On Healthcare, Education

5:03pm October 28, 2020

by David Ford

All eyes are on the state senate race for North Carolina District 31. The Republican-leaning district is a must-win for Democrats hoping to take back the chamber, and they're investing a

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Hospitals In Rocky Mountain States Struggling To Keep Up With Coronavirus Surge

4:21pm October 28, 2020

by John Daley

Hospitals in Utah are full and poised to start rationing care. They're also filling up in Montana and Idaho. Colorado is trying to avoid those states' fate.

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What Is Biden's Coronavirus Response Plan?

4:21pm October 28, 2020

by Allison Aubrey

Joe Biden's pandemic plan has seven points. He'd ask states to mandate masks. He also has detailed proposals on testing, contact tracing, creation of a public health job corps and other measures.

Female physicians spend more time with each patient than male doctors do and their patients report increased satisfaction. But the extra time spent adds up and results in less income for the women.

Female Doctors Spend More Time With Patients, But Earn Less Money Than Men

5:00am October 28, 2020

by Mara Gordon

Female physicians spend more time with each patient than male doctors do and their patients report increased satisfaction. But the extra time adds up and results in less money.

Police stand guard outside of a rally with Vice President Pence on Oct. 13 in Waukesha, Wis. The state is experiencing a surge of COVID-19 cases, threatening to overwhelm rural hospitals.

As COVID-19 Cases Surge In Wisconsin, Health Workers Brace For More

6:30pm October 27, 2020

Rural areas are of particular concern as COVID-19 cases rise in Wisconsin. One big worry: having enough staff in hospitals.