Category: NPR

On Wednesday, a federal judge in Texas will hear arguments from Republicans who want him to strike down the health law and from Democrats who say the law is constitutional and should stay in place.

On Wednesday, a federal judge in Fort Worth hears arguments over whether to suspend the Affordable Care Act also known as Obamacare. Twenty states, led by Texas, are bringing a fresh court challenge.

In signs the health care market may be maturing, an analysis of insurance filings shows premiums will rise less than 4 percent on average and companies plan to market more policies in more places.

A survey by the research group NORC at the University of Chicago shows 57 percent of American adults have been surprised by a health care bill that their insurance didn’t pay for.

Baltimore Health Commissioner Leana Wen had long worked to encourage breastfeeding. When she became a mother, she experienced just how challenging it could be.

Alec Raeshawn Smith was 23 when diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and 26 when he died. He couldn’t afford $1,300 per month for his insulin and other diabetes supplies, so he tried to stretch the doses.

In 34 states and the District of Columbia, there are religious exemptions that allow parents to forgo medical treatment for a child if it conflicts with their religious beliefs.

“I don’t feel any consumer should have to go through this,” says Drew Calver, of the huge surprise bill he got from an Austin hospital after his 2017 heart attack. He’s worried about other patients.

NPR’s Ari Shapiro talks with addiction medicine specialist Dr. Sarah Wakeman of Mass General about opioid use in prisons and the availability of treatment.

A standoff is heating up between the Trump administration and local leaders who are trying to open facilities where people can use opioids under the eye of medical staff.