Politics: Issues

Samsung's smartphones have become big sellers in the United States and elsewhere, and that has helped lead to a stubborn trade gap with South Korea.

Politics & Government

Trump Wants To Overhaul Trade, And Pact With South Korea Is In His Sights

1:17pm September 07, 2017

by Jim Zarroli

The Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement was supposed to expand export opportunities for American companies, but the trade deficit with South Korea has only grown wider.

The Children's Health Insurance Program relies on money from state and federal governments to help subsidize the cost of medical care for some kids not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid.

Will Congress Continue Health Care For 9 Million Children?

6:23pm September 06, 2017

by Phil Galewitz

The popular Children's Health Insurance Program is up for renewal Sept. 30. Policy analysts say it's unclear whether a deeply divided Congress facing major deadlines will get the job done.

Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Dick Durbin, D-Ill., spoke about their Dream Act to help protect DACA recipients at a press conference on Tuesday.

Here Are 4 Options Congress Could Take On DACA

1:29pm September 06, 2017

by Jessica Taylor

There are bills already pending in Congress that could provide many of DACA's protections to the DREAMers. Some also include a path to citizenship.

How Life Could Change For DACA Dreamers Under Trump Administration

5:24pm September 03, 2017

Thousands of people could be affected when President Trump makes a decision about the future of DACA. NPR's Michel Martin talks with dreamer Nestor Nuñez Vasquez about how his life could change.

Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander chairs the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee; Sen. Patty Murray is the committee's ranking Democrat.

5 Controversial Ideas For Shoring Up Health Insurance Markets

4:38pm August 30, 2017

by Julie Rovner

Lawmakers looking to stabilize the health insurance exchanges may consider a number of proposals — including pushing young adults off a parent's plan or letting people buy into Medicare and Medicaid.

National

Trump Signs Memo Implementing Ban On Transgender People Enlisting In The Military

7:28pm August 25, 2017

by Jim Kane

A senior White House official says transgender individuals will not be allowed to join the armed services. Meanwhile, the Trump administration will determine what to do with those already serving.

The Senate health committee meets next month to discuss ways to stabilize the insurance markets. Insurers have until Sept. 27 to commit to selling policies on the ACA marketplaces in 2018.

Four Steps That Could Cut Health Insurance Premiums And Boost Enrollment

6:12pm August 25, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

For now, the Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land. A consulting firm lays out four steps it says would lead to insurance coverage for millions more, at a lower cost.

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen testifies before the Senate Banking Committee in July. President Trump has given mixed signals about whether he will re-appoint her when her term as chair expires in February.

Fed Chief Yellen Warns Against Dismantling Bank Regulations

2:31pm August 25, 2017

by Jim Zarroli

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's remarks in Jackson Hole, Wyo., on Friday put her at odds with President Trump. She applauded the post-crisis regulations that he says are hurting businesses.

Across the state of Maine, the number of prescriptions for painkillers is dropping. But some patients who have chronic pain say they need high doses of the medication to be able to function.

Intent On Reversing Its Opioid Epidemic, A State Limits Prescriptions

9:34am August 23, 2017

by Patty Wight

Maine is among a handful of states putting limits on the painkiller dose that doctors can prescribe a patient. Some doctors and patients say the law is helping, while others say it goes too far.

Queue Listen Now

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (left) and Ohio Gov. John Kasich will present a plan that fleshes out a set of principles they wrote about in an op-ed in The Washington Post.

Governors Preparing Bipartisan Health Care Plan For Congress To Consider

6:26pm August 22, 2017

by Rachel Estabrook

Colorado Democrat John Hickenlooper and Ohio Republican John Kasich are nearing completion on a plan to strengthen the Affordable Care Act exchanges that they will present to the Senate next month.