health care

Voters in Kirkwood, Mo., cast ballots on Nov. 6, 2018 that helped decide the balance of power in Congress. Next week they'll get the chance to decide whether to expand Medicaid in their state. The measure could extend health coverage to more than 230,000

Health & Safety

Will Missouri Be The Next Red State To Expand Medicaid? Voters To Decide

5:00am July 30, 2020

by Cara Anthony

Advocates for expansion say it would create jobs, protect hospitals from budget cuts, bring billions of federal taxpayer dollars back to the state, and bring health coverage to 230,000 more people.

Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to arrive near or over Florida this weekend. The state says it will suspend coronavirus testing as a precaution.

Florida Will Pause Coronavirus Testing Due To Impending Storm

11:12pm July 29, 2020

by Bill Chappell

After the state's testing sites close Thursday evening, they won't reopen until at least Tuesday morning — part of the safety precautions for Tropical Storm Isaias.

Diversity In Coronavirus Vaccine Trials Demanded From Drug Companies

4:05pm July 29, 2020

by JoNel Aleccia

There are growing demands that drugmakers and investigators ensure diversity in coronavirus vaccine trials by including racial minorities, older people and those with underlying medical conditions.

Queue Listen Now

Florida Health Workers Say They're Feeling The Strain Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

4:05pm July 29, 2020

by Stephanie Colombini

The surge in Florida's coronavirus cases is straining the health care system that's trying to save as many people as possible and protect doctors and nurses from getting sick.

Queue Listen Now

Healthcare workers talk in the Covid-19 unit at United Memorial Medical Center in Houston, Texas in July.

Health & Safety

In Texas, 2 Big Problems Collide: Uninsured People And An Uncontrolled Pandemic

11:13am July 28, 2020

by Ashley Lopez

Nearly 700,000 Texans have lost health insurance during the pandemic, and the state already had more uninsured people than any other. Many Texans with COVID-19 symptoms hesitate to seek treatment.

Michael Conley, who is deaf, models a mask that has a transparent panel in San Diego on June 3. Face coverings can make communication harder for people who rely on reading lips, and that has spurred a slew of startups and volunteers to make masks with pla

Demand Surges For See-Through Face Masks As Pandemic Swells

10:02am July 28, 2020

by Yuki Noguchi

Face coverings are key to stopping spread of the coronavirus, but also slow communication, especially for people who don't hear well. Volunteers and companies suggest some transparent alternatives.

2 Coronavirus Vaccines Move To Final Testing Phase

5:56pm July 27, 2020

by Joe Palca

Two potential coronavirus vaccines started their final phase of testing Monday. Each trial will include up to 30,000 volunteers.

Queue Listen Now

President Trump speaks during a briefing Tuesday at the White House with a chart showing case fatality rate behind him.

Trump's Favorite Coronavirus Metric, The Case Fatality, Is Unreliable

10:00pm July 24, 2020

by Tamara Keith

President Trump often cites the coronavirus case fatality rate, saying it is more important than the number of cases or deaths. But medical experts say it's not a good way to measure the pandemic.

Queue Listen Now

City in Washington State Drives Hospitalizations Down In Coronavirus Battle

4:36pm July 24, 2020

by Will Stone

The only hospital in Yakima, Wash., nearly reached its capacity in June due to the coronavirus. But the community took action and now offers lessons on how to bring hospitalizations down.

Queue Listen Now

Studies Suggest Immunity To The Coronavirus Is Likely To Be Short Term

6:46pm July 22, 2020

by Richard Harris

Some studies suggest immunity to the coronavirus doesn't last long. That might have implications for the development of vaccines.

Queue Listen Now