Category: NPR

Therapists say a new law requiring upfront cost estimates could discourage patients

Some mental health providers object to the new requirement, which is part of the No Surprises Act. They say giving detailed cost estimates could discourage patients from getting care.

Hospitals ask Biden administration to help lower the soaring cost of travel nurses

It’s now been a year since the American Hospital Association alleged price gouging and asked the White House to investigate and act. Bidding wars among states have only escalated.

How some states are trying to upgrade their glitchy, outdated health care technology

The pandemic exposed how old-school tech hampers access to health care and other public services. With new federal funding, states finally have a way to upgrade, if they seize the opportunity.

Why omicron is crushing hospitals — even though cases are often milder than delta

People who get infected with omicron are less likely to go to the hospital, go on a ventilator or die. But with the current huge volume of patients, hospitals are still struggling to treat them all.

Workers have few job protections during the trauma of a miscarriage

About a quarter of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. Despite the large number of workers affected, no national laws protect them when they need time off to deal with the loss.

Vaccinate and test. That advice isn’t much help to parents who have kids under 5.

Parents of children too young for vaccines are exhausted. As omicron surges, they keep trying to protect their kids. But some feel isolated and even forgotten by those who just want to move on.

Seniors are at high risk of COVID, but Medicare doesn’t pay for rapid tests

The laws governing Medicare don’t provide coverage for self-administered diagnostic tests, including rapid antigen tests. Here’s how older adults can get free tests anyway.

The doctor didn’t show up, but the hospital ER still billed $1,012

A toddler burned his hand on the stove. The pediatrician told mom over the phone to take him to the emergency room. But after a long wait for a doctor who never showed, they left. Then the bill came.

A medical ethicist weighs in on how to approach treating unvaccinated people

Sarah McCammon speaks with doctor and ethicist Carla Keirns of the University of Kansas Health Center about how best to treat unvaccinated people who fall ill with COVID-19.

Thousands gather for the March for Life protest, as Supreme Court weighs Roe v. Wade

The annual march in Washington, D.C., occurs around the anniversary of the Roe decision. This year, as the Supreme Court considers overturning some of its protections, protesters say they feel hope.