Category: NPR

Fresh Challenges To State Exclusions On Transgender Health Coverage

Although federal law prohibits health insurance plans from discriminating against transgender individuals, a Georgia county specifically excludes trans-related health care from coverage.

U.S. Hospitals And Insurers Might Be Forced To Reveal The True Prices They Negotiate

A little-noticed Trump administration proposal would require hospitals, doctors and insurers to post the true, negotiated price for a medical procedure or service, as opposed to the “list” price.

How Much Difference Will Eli Lilly’s Half-Price Insulin Make?

The Indianapolis-based drugmaker said Monday that it would offer a generic version of Humalog insulin, one of its best-selling medicines. The move could help blunt criticism about high prices.

Cancer Leads Athlete To Tough Choice

Cyclocross racer BrittLee Bowman chose a double mastectomy when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at 34.

Unvaccinated Boy, 6, Spent 57 Days In The Hospital With Tetanus

It was Oregon’s first pediatric case in more than 30 years. “It was difficult to take care of him, to watch him suffer,” says Judith Guzman-Cottrill, an infectious-disease specialist.

Commentary: Can Oklahoma Eliminate Overdose Deaths?

While there’s been progress in lowering the death rate from prescription opioids in Oklahoma, the number of opioid prescriptions written in the state outpaces the national average.

Some ‘Cheaper’ Health Plans Have Surprising Costs

Well-known insurers are selling new sorts of health plans outside the Affordable Care Act exchanges that may sound cheaper but aren’t necessarily. Some, for example, charge extra for common surgeries.

U.S. Cities Skeptical Of FDA Warnings Against Medicine Imports From Canadian Firm

Critics question claims by federal officials that CanaRX jeopardizes patient safety. Many U.S. companies, cities, counties and school districts rely on the firm to help employees get cheaper medicine.

How Much Is Today’s HIV Research Centered Around The Search For A Cure?

For the second time ever, a man’s HIV infection has been sent into remission. NPR’s Mary Louise Kelly talks with Rowena Johnston, director of research for the Foundation for AIDS Research.

Bone Marrow Transplant Renders Second Patient Free Of HIV

British doctors report the apparent eradication of HIV from a patient who was undergoing treatment for cancer. It’s only the second time this has been accomplished, despite many attempts.