If you buy your own health insurance through state and federal marketplaces, ’tis the season to compare prices, change coverage, and take advantage of subsidies. Here’s what to know.
Category: NPR
Millions of American families struggle to get food on the table, report finds
17 million U.S. households were food insecure in 2022. That’s 3.5 million more than the prior year. Families with children and people of color experienced higher than average rates of food insecurity.
Patients struggle to navigate abortion with changing laws and provider confusion
Abortion laws have changed so dramatically in the U.S., it’s hard for patients to navigate what’s legal where. A new study finds it’s difficult even to know which hospitals offer abortion services.
Verbal abuse of healthcare workers has been up — as have their mental health problems
A new CDC report finds a rise in threats and verbal abuse aimed at health care workers since the start of the pandemic. The harassment is linked to high levels of anxiety, depression and burnout.
Bernie Sanders will vote no on Biden’s pick to lead NIH, but nomination may proceed
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.
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.
