Category: NPR

Medicare is cutting payments to 786 hospitals with the highest infection and complication rates. The list includes a third of the hospitals proclaimed as the nation’s “best” in one prominent ranking.

A woman who had recently traveled to China gave the respiratory virus to her husband when she returned to Chicago, CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield said.

Does the virus have an official name yet? Can I get the disease from touching goods shipped from China? How worried should we be in the U.S.? We answer questions from our readers.

A young man averted disaster after a friend took him to the nearest hospital just before his appendix burst. But more than a year later, he’s still facing a huge bill for his out-of-network surgery.

With the Iowa caucus and major primaries just weeks away, many voters say they’re still confused about how presidential candidates differ on health care. Here’s a guide to key issues and terms.

Medicaid expansion is making people healthier. It’s also costing states more than expected. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is scrambling to close a $6 billion deficit tied to Medicaid expansion.

An expert panel convened by the FDA says the drug Makena should be withdrawn from the market because a review of its effectiveness shows it doesn’t work. But OB-GYNS who prescribe the drug disagree.

A study this month showed giving extra social services to the neediest patients didn’t reduce hospital readmissions. Now health advocates say that might not be the right measurement of success.

The for-profit hospice industry has grown, allowing more Americans to die at home. But few family members realize that “hospice care” still means they’ll do most of the physical and emotional work.

Drugs to treat multiple sclerosis can run $70,000 a year or more. Patients hoped competition from a generic version of one of the most popular brands would spur relief, but prices went up. Here’s why.