Category: NPR

HHS secretary talks drugs up for Medicare price negotiation before leaving office

The Biden Administration announced the next batch of 15 prescription drugs that will be included in price negotiations with companies — with the aim of lowering costs for people covered by Medicare.

RFK Jr. faces a complicated confirmation with some opposition on both sides of the aisle

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s views on vaccines and abortion rights are raising alarms across the political spectrum, as he’s one of the more controversial picks for the president-elect’s Cabinet.

States that voted for Trump saw some of the biggest surges in ACA signups

The number of people enrolled in Affordable Care Act health insurance plans has doubled over the last four yeas. NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe talks with healthcare navigator Katie Roders Turner about the reasons.

A record 24 million sign up for ACA plans, Biden administration says

About 24 million people have signed up for Affordable Care Act plans with about a week to go in open enrollment. But that could all change when President-elect Trump takes office.

A record 24 million sign up for ACA plans, Biden administration says

About 24 million people have signed up for Affordable Care Act plans with about a week to go in open enrollment. But President-elect Trump has talked about possibly repealing the 14-year-old ACA.

Nevada home health care workers prepare to lobby for another wage hike

After Nevada gave home care workers a huge raise, from about $11 to $16 an hour, turnover in the industry fell sharply. Now, caregivers are preparing to lobby for another wage hike.

What the new medical debt-credit report rule could mean for patients, health industry

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s move could lead to providers seeking high payments before treatment, an economist warns. A health scholar says it could protect patients’ financial futures.

Potential fraud could have earned insurance companies billions off of Medicare Advantage

NPR’s Eric Deggans talks to Wall Street Journal reporter Christopher Weaver about the newspaper’s yearlong investigation into potential fraud in the Medicare Advantage program.

Big Health Care is ending a terrible year. Is anyone happy with this business?

Patients are protesting, bipartisan lawmakers are threatening regulation – and investors are selling their shares. 

The health care industry’s very bad year

The killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO has sparked scrutiny of the business of health care. But even the investors making money from this business have been unhappy with it this year.