Congress required health plans to fully cover COVID-19 testing, but insurance companies say they should only have to pay if tests are “medically necessary” or ordered by a doctor.
Category: NPR
A New Addiction Crisis: Treatment Centers Face Financial Collapse
Alcohol and drug consumption have increased recently, but fewer patients have sought treatment. Most treatment centers face possible closure even as they anticipate a post-pandemic surge in need.
What Zebra Mussels Can Tell Us About Errors In Coronavirus Tests
The standard test for infection with the coronavirus looks for a genetic fingerprint. Laboratory errors, including contamination, can lead to false results, a problem seen with environmental testing.
As California Trains 20,000 Contact Tracers, Librarians and Tax Assessors Step Up
California is paying to train a huge contingent of contact tracers by July. Many of the new recruits are librarians: they’re curious, tech savvy, and great at talking to strangers.
New Government Rule Removes Non-Discrimination Protections For LGBTQ In Health Care
The Trump administration has finalized a rule on Friday that would remove non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people when it comes to health care and health insurance.
Transgender Health Protections Reversed By Trump Administration
Trump has reversed Obama-era protections that prohibit discrimination in health care based on gender identity. Critics warn the rule could harm a vulnerable group — LGBTQ people — during a pandemic.
Intensive Care Nurse Shares Her Experience Of Working With Newborns During Pandemic
Claire Panke, a neonatal intensive care nurse, talks about the changes COVID-19 has brought to her unit. For example, parents must visit babies one at a time and wear masks.
Texas Cities Experience Disparities In Access To The Coronavirus Testing
Dallas is one of the major Texas cities facing disparities in access to COVID-19 testing, resulting in less testing in black neighborhoods. A visit to the city’s north and south reveals the divide.
Questions About How Crash Program Is Picking Coronavirus Vaccines To Back
As Operation Warp Speed pushes to develop a COVID-19 vaccine in record time, the number of candidates is being narrowed. The factors guiding the decision about which projects to fund is unclear.
First Known U.S. Lung Transplant For COVID-19 Patient Performed In Chicago
A young woman in her 20s was healthy before the coronavirus struck her. After two months on a ventilator and ECMO device, her transplanted lungs are now working
