health care

Tennessee Man Sent Home From ER Twice Dies Of COVID-19

11:08am October 27, 2020

by Blake Famer

Nashville, Tenn., resident died of COVID-19 after being sent home from a hospital twice. Uninsured COVID-19 patients are rarely told their bills are covered by the government, an investigation shows.

When Tiffany Qiu found herself on the hook for her usual 30% Blue Shield of California coinsurance after the hospital quoted 20%, she pushed back.

Health & Safety

Hit With An Unexpectedly High Medical Bill, Here's How A Savvy Patient Fought Back

11:05am October 27, 2020

by Anna Almendrala

When the hospital tried to bill her for more than what she'd been quoted, Tiffany Qiu refused to pay the extra amount and the bill went to collections. She still didn't back down.

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On average, each U.S. nursing home is connected to seven others through shared staff, a study by Yale and UCLA researchers suggests. Rigorous infection control measures can curb the spread of the coronavirus, but many workers say they still don't have suf

They Work In Several Nursing Homes To Eke Out A Living, And That May Spread The Virus

6:30pm October 26, 2020

by Jackie Fortiér

Most nursing homes are connected by shared staff to seven others. Instead of limiting workers to one facility to curb COVID-19 spread, advocates urge better pay and more PPE for nursing home staff.

What's At Stake In The U.S. Health Care Debate?

12:29am October 26, 2020

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Kaiser Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner about where health care policy stands today.

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Marissa Tuping, a rural midwife, and Risa Calibuso, right, arrive in Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital on July 21. Calibuso gave birth to her son moments later.

The Philippines Has A Policy Against Home Births. It's Not Playing Well In A Pandemic

10:48am October 25, 2020

by Xyza Cruz Bacani

The "No Home Birth" policy was created to reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates. But critics say it makes giving birth expensive and complicated — especially during the coronavirus crisis.

President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden have widely divergent views on health care issues.

Comparing Biden's And Trump's Different Visions For Health Care

2:18pm October 22, 2020

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

From Medicare to Obamacare to controlling drug costs, the candidates mostly differ in their approach to health care. Here's a quick guide to their views and proposals.

When Angela Settles' husband, Darius, got sick with COVID-19, he was worried about medical bills. He worked two jobs but had no health insurance.

Hospital Bills For Uninsured COVID-19 Patients Are Covered, But No One Tells Them

1:10pm October 22, 2020

by Blake Farmer

The CARES Act provides funds to pay medical bills for uninsured COVID-19 patients. But a young man's death in Nashville, Tenn., shows people often don't know about the program until it's too late.

Rural communities across the country, places largely spared during the early days of the pandemic, are now seeing spikes in infections and hospitalizations.

COVID-19 Surges In Rural Communities, Overwhelming Some Local Hospitals

12:31pm October 22, 2020

by Will Stone

As COVID-19 cases increase, many rural communities, places which were largely spared during the early months of the pandemic, are now contending with a spike in infections and hospitalizations.

How Will The U.S. Distribute COVID-19 Antibody Drugs If They Get FDA Approval?

6:28pm October 21, 2020

by Richard Harris

COVID-19 antibody drugs appear to be helping people avoid hospitalization. Tens of thousands of people a day could be candidates to take the drugs, but the scarce supply has to be rationed.

Queue Listen Now

Karla Monterroso says after going to Alameda Hospital in May with a very accelerated heart rate, very low blood pressure and cycling oxygen levels, her entire experience was one of being punished for being 'insubordinate.'

Health & Safety

'All You Want Is To Be Believed': Sick With COVID-19 And Facing Racial Bias In The ER

5:01am October 21, 2020

by April Dembosky

When a Latina woman went to a Bay Area hospital, a doctor was dismissive of her COVID symptoms. Is unconscious bias one reason people of color are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus?