Medical Treatments

Leilani Schweitzer: How Can Hospitals Be More Transparent About Medical Errors?

9:47am December 01, 2017

by NPR/TED Staff

Leilani Schweitzer lost her son due to a medical error. She says the hospital's honesty and openness helped her heal. She now works to provide that level of honesty to patients at the same hospital.

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Chalfonte LeNee Queen of San Diego grappled with violent vomiting episodes for 17 years until she found out her illness was related to her marijuana use.

Rare And Mysterious Vomiting Illness Linked To Heavy Marijuana Use

10:49pm November 30, 2017

by Pauline Bartolone

For a small percentage of people who smoke marijuana, long term use can make them sick with violent vomiting. California doctors worry they'll see more cases when pot is fully legalized in January.

What makes drug prices so high? Let us count the ways.

Report: Here's What The Feds Can Do To Cut Drug Prices

6:19pm November 30, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine get very specific in their recommendations of actions they think the federal government should take to lower prescription drug costs.

A coalition of mental health advocacy groups is calling on federal regulators, state agencies and employers to conduct random audits of insurers to make sure they are in compliance with the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.

Health Insurers Are Still Skimping On Mental Health Coverage

12:09pm November 30, 2017

by Jenny Gold

Behavioral care is four times more likely to be out-of-network than medical or surgical care, a nationwide study shows. That can make treatment unaffordable even for people who have health insurance.

Bacterial cells can now read a synthetic genetic code and use it to assemble proteins containing man-made parts.

Scientists Train Bacteria To Build Unnatural Proteins

6:25pm November 29, 2017

by Richard Harris

Bacteria engineered with an expanded genetic alphabet can produce novel proteins, which could lead to the development of new drugs.

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Peter Saltonstall, president of the National Organization of Rare Disorders, speaks at a rally Tuesday in support of tax credits for companies that develop drugs for rare diseases.

Health & Safety

Advocates For Patients With Rare Diseases Defend Tax Credits For Orphan Drugs

6:13pm November 29, 2017

by Sarah Jane Tribble

The Republican tax plan could reduce or eliminate federal tax credits that reward companies for developing drugs to treat rare diseases. People who benefit from the medicines have objected.

Make sure the proposed test or treatment is necessary. Ask what might happen if you don't get the service right away.

7 Ways You Can Protect Yourself From Outrageous Medical Bills

2:59pm November 29, 2017

by Marshall Allen

Prepare to joust over bills with hospitals, medical providers and insurers. You can win by being smart and assertive and acting before a test or treatment is administered.

After decades of disappointment, doctors have been able to treat several different types of genetic conditions by giving each patient a healthy version of their defective gene.

Gene Therapy Shows Promise For A Growing List Of Diseases

1:09pm November 29, 2017

by Rob Stein

After decades of hope and disappointment, doctors have now been able to treat several different types of genetic conditions by giving each patient a healthy version of their defective gene.

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Christina Arenas reviews her medical bills at home in Washington, D.C. She complained about a mammogram and ultrasounds that she felt were unnecessary and sought a refund.

Health & Safety

Epidemic Of Health Care Waste: From $1,877 Ear Piercing To ICU Overuse

5:02pm November 28, 2017

by Marshall Allen

Unnecessary or needlessly expensive care costs hundreds of billions of dollars a year. Patients, employers and taxpayers are footing the bill.

Jared Haley, general manager of the C-Axis plant in Caguas, Puerto Rico, says computer-operated milling machines, like this one can cost more than a half million dollars. Heat and humidity in the plant after Hurricane Maria left many of the machines inope

Puerto Rico's Medical Manufacturers Worry Federal Tax Plan Could Kill Storm Recovery

5:25pm November 27, 2017

by Greg Allen

Drug companies and medical device makers in Puerto Rico are still struggling with power and staffing shortages. One device manufacturer says the future of his industry on the island is uncertain.

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