Category: NPR

Why the U.S. pandemic playbook was no match for COVID

In his new book, former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb lays out what it will take for the U.S. to be ready to face future health crises.

J&J is asking the FDA to authorize its COVID-19 booster shots

Johnson & Johnson asks the Food and Drug Administration to allow extra shots of its COVID-19 vaccine as the U.S. government moves toward expanding its booster campaign.

Health workers know what good care is. Pandemic burnout is getting in the way

The pandemic has intensified burnout among health care workers. They say it’s eroding their passion for the job and the quality of patient care. Here’s how some of them are trying to solve it.

Democrats’ spending bill includes plan to get free health care to uninsured Americans

There are more than 2 million uninsured adults in states that didn’t expand Medicaid. Congressional Democrats have a plan to cover them — if they can find money for it in the massive spending bill.

A Hospital Gives Its Staff Panic Buttons After Assaults By Patients Triple

From 2019 to 2020, assaults on hospital staff by patients tripled at Cox Medical Center in Branson, Mo. Now personal panic buttons are being implemented to alert hospital security more easily.

The Bill For His COVID Test In Texas Was A Whopping $54,000

A businessman from Dallas got a PCR test for the coronavirus at a suburban emergency room. The charge for his test was “egregious” but not illegal, say health care analysts. Here’s what happened.

A death in Dallas: what’s at stake as Congress weighs Medicaid fix for uninsured

More than 2 million Americans are uninsured because they live in the 12 states that didn’t expand Medicaid. 60% are people of color. Will Congress help by including them in the new spending bill?

As Vaccine Deadlines Approach, Hospitals Fear Staffing Shortages Will Occur

About a dozen states have vaccination mandates covering health care workers in hospitals, long-term care facilities — or both.

The Vaccine Mandate For Healthcare Workers Means Hospitals Are Losing Staff

New York healthcare workers must be vaccinated for COVID-19 or lose their jobs. At one rural hospital, opposition to the vaccine is exacerbating an existing labor shortage, forcing cuts to services.

The Cost Of Forced Psychiatric Care Like Britney Spears Got Can Be Ruinous

The pop star was forced into psychiatric care — and compelled to pay for it. That could happen to anyone during an episode of serious mental illness, adding a financial threat to the health woes.