Author's posts
The many roadblocks that keep women from getting mammograms
In addition to cost and access, there are other factors of daily life that keep many women from getting screened for breast cancer, research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds.
Medicare plans can now cover the weight-loss drug Wegovy
Private Medicare plans that pay for prescription drugs can now cover obesity medicine Wegovy, if it’s prescribed to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in people at high risk.
A growing wave of local governments are erasing billions in medical debts
New York City joined other localities this week in pledging to buy up and forgive residents’ unpaid medical bills. The trend started in Cook County, Ill., and is spreading around the country.
NYC joins a growing wave of local governments erasing residents’ medical debt
The city is partnering with the nonprofit RIP Medical Debt to buy up and forgive unpaid medical bills. The trend started in Cook County, Ill., and is spreading to cities across the country.
Lung cancer survival rates rise, but low screening rates leave many people at risk
A new survey finds more people are surviving lung cancer and racial disparities are shrinking. But unless it’s caught early, lung cancer still has a low survival rate.
The hospital ran out of her child’s cancer drug. Now she’s fighting to end shortages
Laura Bray couldn’t watch her 9-year-old’s leukemia go untreated. She started campaigning to fix a broken system and get patients the treatments they need in the face of drug shortages.
This year’s COVID vaccine rollout is off to a bumpy start, despite high demand
Some people are finding pharmacies still don’t have supply of the shots, and others are having insurance coverage troubles. Here’s what’s going on.
‘Hi, Doc!’ DM’ing the doctor could cost you (or your insurance plan)
Virtual access to doctors is a huge plus for patients. But it’s a lot of new work for physicians. And the health care business model hasn’t caught up with this new reality.
Some cancer drugs are in short supply, putting patients’ care at risk. Here’s why
The recent, abrupt shortage of critical cancer drugs is forcing doctors to ration essential medications. It highlights a broken business model in generic drugs.
Post-pandemic, even hospital care goes remote
A growing number of hospitals are shifting care into patients’ homes. That means moving medications, machines and staffing with it, but hospitals are finding patients heal better, and it’s cheaper.
