Category: Health Industry

States Set Minimum Staffing Levels for Nursing Homes. Residents Suffer When Rules Are Ignored or Waived.

The Biden administration set stringent new federal staffing rules. But for years, nursing homes have failed to meet the toughest standards set by states.

How to Find a Good, Well-Staffed Nursing Home

Here are the telltale signs to look for in nursing homes to avoid, and resources that can point to better places.

From Dr. Oz to Heart Valves: A Tiny Device Charted a Contentious Path Through the FDA

The story of MitraClip, a device Dr. Oz helped invent to treat faulty heart valves, is a cautionary tale about the science, business, and regulation of medical technology.

Lack of Affordability Tops Older Americans’ List of Health Care Worries

Rising health care costs are fueling anxiety among older Americans covered by Medicare. They’re right to be concerned.

Pain Doesn’t Belong on a Scale of Zero to 10

A popular scale for measuring pain doesn’t work, but medicine still has no better alternative.

The Supreme Court Just Limited Federal Power. Health Care Is Feeling the Shockwaves.

A Supreme Court ruling restricting federal power will likely have seismic ramifications for health policy. A flood of litigation — with plaintiffs like small businesses, drugmakers, and hospitals challenging regulations they say are too expensive or burdensome and not authorized by law — could leave the country with a patchwork of disparate health regulations.

The Concierge Catch: Better Access for a Few Patients Disrupts Care for Many

Increasingly, Americans pay for the privilege of seeing a doctor. Research shows concierge medicine can further hamper access to care for those who can’t afford the upgrade.

1st Biden-Trump Debate of 2024: What They Got Wrong, and Right

A debate marked by President Joe Biden’s faltering performance featured clashes over insulin costs, inflation, abortion, immigration, and Jan. 6.

Supreme Court Upends Purdue Pharma Opioid Settlement

The court struck down a $6 billion bankruptcy plan from Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin. What does this mean? We’ll explain.

Battleground Wisconsin: Voters Feel Nickel-and-Dimed by Health Care Costs

In the swing state of Wisconsin, the cost and availability of health care have emerged as key issues. Voters there say prescriptions, procedures, and health insurance policies are too expensive, and must be addressed by the next president, whether Republican or Democrat.