The Vermont senator held up the nomination process for Dr. Monica Bertagnolli to lead the health agency in order to make a point about drug prices. Now, he says he’ll vote against her.
Category: NPR
The hospital ran out of her child’s cancer drug. Now she’s fighting to end shortages
Laura Bray couldn’t watch her 9-year-old’s leukemia go untreated. She started campaigning to fix a broken system and get patients the treatments they need in the face of drug shortages.
Law enforcement eyes opioid settlement cash for squad cars and body scanners
Some state and federal governments have started tapping in to opioid settlement funds for law enforcement expenses. Many argue it should go toward treating addiction instead.
Too much red meat is linked to a 50% increase in type 2 diabetes risk
A study finds people who eat more than one serving of red meat a day are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Processed meats, like bacon and hot dogs, were linked to an even higher risk.
Medicare Advantage keeps growing. Tiny, rural hospitals say that’s a huge problem
More than half of seniors choose private Medicare Advantage plans instead of traditional Medicare. As rural enrollment increases, many small-town hospitals say that threatens their viability.
Medicare shoppers often face a barrage of unsolicited calls and aggressive ads
Medicare’s annual open enrollment period began Oct. 15, allowing seniors to choose new plans. New rules this year are supposed to crack down on misleading marketing but buyers should still beware.
Kaiser Permanente workers win 21% raise over 4 years after strike
The health care giant and the coalition of unions that walked out for three days earlier this month announced a contract deal that averts another strike.
‘Irth’ hospital review app aims to take the bias out of giving birth
Founded by a Black mom, the app gathers reviews by and for people of color about their experience with the health care system during pregnancy and delivery.
States grappling with the homeless crisis turn to Medicaid for a solution
Some states are trying out a radical new kind of medical treatment: housing, paid for with Medicaid dollars.
Michigan Democrats want to ease access to abortion. But one Democrat is saying no
Michigan Democrats want to pass new bills to remove abortion obstacles like a 24-hour waiting period, and a ban on Medicaid reimbursement. But one Democrat doesn’t agree — and they need her vote.
