/tags/healthcare-costs healthcare costs en-US WLRN Tue, 28 Mar 2023 09:00:53 GMT /health/npr-breaking-news/2023-03-28/pay-up-kid-an-ers-error-sends-a-4-year-old-to-collections A Florida woman tried to dispute an emergency room bill, but the hospital and collection agency refused to talk to her — because it was her child's name on the bill, not hers. Tue, 28 Mar 2023 09:00:53 GMT /health/npr-breaking-news/2023-03-28/pay-up-kid-an-ers-error-sends-a-4-year-old-to-collections Daniel Chang /news/2022-08-30/hospitals-are-cutting-jobs-and-services-as-rising-costs-strain-their-budgets More than two years into the pandemic, hospital budgets are beginning to crack. One of the biggest drivers of financial shortfalls has been the cost to find workers. Tue, 30 Aug 2022 14:30:00 GMT /news/2022-08-30/hospitals-are-cutting-jobs-and-services-as-rising-costs-strain-their-budgets Katheryn Houghton - Kaiser Health News /news/2022-06-21/north-carolina-considers-new-laws-to-de-weaponize-medical-debt-and-protect-patients Medical debt can ruin lives, and in many states patients have few financial protections. North Carolina is considering a new law that could lead the way in shielding patients from high medical bills. Tue, 21 Jun 2022 09:52:32 GMT /news/2022-06-21/north-carolina-considers-new-laws-to-de-weaponize-medical-debt-and-protect-patients Aneri Pattani /news/npr-breaking-news/2022-04-27/hit-with-7-146-for-two-hospital-bills-a-family-sought-health-care-in-mexico A dad's COVID-19 and a mom's fainting spell cost thousands, so when their son dislocated his shoulder, they drove him to Mexicali, where facilities rival those in the U.S., and had him treated for $5. Wed, 27 Apr 2022 09:00:16 GMT /news/npr-breaking-news/2022-04-27/hit-with-7-146-for-two-hospital-bills-a-family-sought-health-care-in-mexico Paula Andalo /news/2022-02-10/florida-leaves-doctors-shielded-from-medical-malpractice-suits The Legislature will not overturn what critics deride as the state's "free kill" law, which generally prevents families from filing medical malpractice lawsuits against doctors or hospitals when the victims are adults. Thu, 10 Feb 2022 11:43:07 GMT /news/2022-02-10/florida-leaves-doctors-shielded-from-medical-malpractice-suits Melissa Hernandez De La Cruz /2022-01-24/how-a-south-florida-insurer-is-dealing-with-the-cost-of-covid-care-at-home-tests-and-obamacare The second year of COVID-19 could cost $50 million for health insurance company AvMed. Mon, 24 Jan 2022 20:15:08 GMT /2022-01-24/how-a-south-florida-insurer-is-dealing-with-the-cost-of-covid-care-at-home-tests-and-obamacare Tom Hudson /news/2022-01-12/medicare-proposes-covering-expensive-alzheimers-drug-for-those-in-clinical-trials Aduhelm is the first treatment approved in the country to slow cognitive decline in those living with Alzheimer's. Doctors have refused to prescribe it, given the lack of data and evidence behind it. Wed, 12 Jan 2022 13:01:57 GMT /news/2022-01-12/medicare-proposes-covering-expensive-alzheimers-drug-for-those-in-clinical-trials Jonathan Franklin /news/2021-11-18/the-pandemic-strained-mental-health-for-black-americans-its-also-amplifying-calls-for-change The COVID-19 pandemic continues to stress the mental health of many people. But it's been especially hard for some Black Americans, who have been disproportionately affected by the virus and already faced barriers to care. Thu, 18 Nov 2021 13:00:05 GMT /news/2021-11-18/the-pandemic-strained-mental-health-for-black-americans-its-also-amplifying-calls-for-change Stephanie Colombini /2021-11-02/democrats-deal-on-prescription-drugs-would-lower-costs-for-seniors Democrats agreed to a significant — but slimmed down — proposal to help lower prescription drug prices, bringing aboard notable holdouts on the measure, including Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. Wed, 03 Nov 2021 12:14:51 GMT /2021-11-02/democrats-deal-on-prescription-drugs-would-lower-costs-for-seniors Alana Wise /news/npr-breaking-news/2021-07-26/a-health-care-giant-sold-off-dozens-of-hospitals-but-continued-suing-many-patients As Community Health Systems has downsized, what remain are like zombie hospitals – little more than legal entities still taking patients to court even though the new owners don't sue. Mon, 26 Jul 2021 11:09:50 GMT /news/npr-breaking-news/2021-07-26/a-health-care-giant-sold-off-dozens-of-hospitals-but-continued-suing-many-patients Blake Farmer