Health Care http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1027&ft=1&f=1027 The state of health care, health insurance, new medical research, disease prevention, and drug treatments. Interviews, news, and commentary from NPR's correspondents. Subscribe to podcasts. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:00:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Health Care http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1027&ft=1&f=1027 House Passes Bill That Would Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks The legislation is one of the most far-reaching abortion bills in decades and follows the May murder convictions of Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell. The bill, which would ban nearly all abortions starting 20 weeks after fertilization, is unlikely to ever become law. Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/18/193197164/house-passes-bill-that-would-ban-late-abortions?ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/18/193197164/house-passes-bill-that-would-ban-late-abortions?ft=1&f=1027 The legislation is one of the most far-reaching abortion bills in decades and follows the May murder convictions of Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell. The bill, which would ban nearly all abortions starting 20 weeks after fertilization, is unlikely to ever become law.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Patients Lead The Way As Medicine Grapples With Apps Smartphone apps can help count calories or detect a heart attack. People are embracing them to manage many aspects of their health. But medical apps are largely unregulated now, so there's no easy way to be sure which ones are trustworthy and which ones aren't. Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:49:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/18/192777704/patients-lead-the-way-as-medicine-grapples-with-apps?ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/18/192777704/patients-lead-the-way-as-medicine-grapples-with-apps?ft=1&f=1027 Smartphone apps can help count calories or detect a heart attack. People are embracing them to manage many aspects of their health. But medical apps are largely unregulated now, so there's no easy way to be sure which ones are trustworthy and which ones aren't.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> How To Make Museums More Inviting For Kids With Autism A day at a museum promises fun for parents and kids alike. But for children who are on the autism spectrum, a seemingly simple museum exhibit may be too overwhelming to enjoy. Now, museums are coming up with ways to accommodate these visitors. Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:58:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/18/193092510/how-to-make-museums-more-inviting-for-kids-with-autism?ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/18/193092510/how-to-make-museums-more-inviting-for-kids-with-autism?ft=1&f=1027 A day at a museum promises fun for parents and kids alike. But for children who are on the autism spectrum, a seemingly simple museum exhibit may be too overwhelming to enjoy. Now, museums are coming up with ways to accommodate these visitors.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Some States Will Make It Easier To Get Insurance Answers You're in luck, if you live in the District of Columbia or one of the 21 states that have put in place specialists to handle questions and complaints private health insurance. Otherwise the maze could prove daunting. Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:32:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/17/192799820/some-states-will-make-it-easier-to-get-insurance-answers?ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/17/192799820/some-states-will-make-it-easier-to-get-insurance-answers?ft=1&f=1027 You're in luck, if you live in the District of Columbia or one of the 21 states that have put in place specialists to handle questions and complaints private health insurance. Otherwise the maze could prove daunting.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> After Long Search, Komen Foundation Replaces Brinker As CEO Dr. Judith Salerno, a geriatrician, is replacing Nancy Brinker, the cancer philanthropy's founder and longtime chief executive. The change comes more than a year and a half after a decision to halt grants to Planned Parenthood plunged the group into controversy. Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:36:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/17/192762127/after-long-search-komen-foundation-replaces-brinker-as-ceo?ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/17/192762127/after-long-search-komen-foundation-replaces-brinker-as-ceo?ft=1&f=1027 Dr. Judith Salerno, a geriatrician, is replacing Nancy Brinker, the cancer philanthropy's founder and longtime chief executive. The change comes more than a year and a half after a decision to halt grants to Planned Parenthood plunged the group into controversy.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> FTC Can Sue Firms In 'Pay For Delay' Drug Deals, Court Rules The ruling may end the era of what are also called "reverse-payment" deals, in which the maker of a brand-name drug pays a maker of generic drugs to not produce a lower-priced version of their product. The Federal Trade Commission can challenge such deals in court, the justices say. Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:58:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/06/17/192759943/ftc-can-sue-firms-in-pay-for-delay-drug-deals-court-rules?ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/06/17/192759943/ftc-can-sue-firms-in-pay-for-delay-drug-deals-court-rules?ft=1&f=1027 The ruling may end the era of what are also called "reverse-payment" deals, in which the maker of a brand-name drug pays a maker of generic drugs to not produce a lower-priced version of their product. The Federal Trade Commission can challenge such deals in court, the justices say.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Smartphones Help Bridge Gaps In Electronic Medical Records Hospitals, doctors and Medicare are making it easier for people to have access to their own health records. Some app developers have even created ways to have health information available even on a smartphone. Mon, 17 Jun 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/17/192596386/smartphones-help-bridge-gaps-in-electronic-medical-records?ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/17/192596386/smartphones-help-bridge-gaps-in-electronic-medical-records?ft=1&f=1027 Hospitals, doctors and Medicare are making it easier for people to have access to their own health records. Some app developers have even created ways to have health information available even on a smartphone.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> To Find Out How The Health Law Affects You, Ask The President The next move in the health care law is all about coverage for people who don't have health insurance. President Obama has been trying to clear up some of the confusion over who gets coverage, and when. But many questions remain to be answered. Mon, 17 Jun 2013 02:59:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/17/191585207/to-find-out-how-the-health-law-affects-you-ask-the-president?ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/17/191585207/to-find-out-how-the-health-law-affects-you-ask-the-president?ft=1&f=1027 The next move in the health care law is all about coverage for people who don't have health insurance. President Obama has been trying to clear up some of the confusion over who gets coverage, and when. But many questions remain to be answered.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Scientists Go Medieval To Solve Ancient Leprosy Puzzle Looking for clues to to modern-day leprosy, scientists dig up a 500-year-old mass grave and scan for ancient strains of bacteria in human remains. They find that the bacteria that cause leprosy haven't changed, humans have. Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:10:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/13/191337793/scientists-go-medieval-to-solve-ancient-leprosy-puzzle?ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/13/191337793/scientists-go-medieval-to-solve-ancient-leprosy-puzzle?ft=1&f=1027 Looking for clues to to modern-day leprosy, scientists dig up a 500-year-old mass grave and scan for ancient strains of bacteria in human remains. They find that the bacteria that cause leprosy haven't changed, humans have.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Judge Reluctantly Approves Government Plan For Morning-After Pill Women and teenagers should soon be able to buy emergency contraception with no age restrictions, according to a federal district judge's memorandum. But the Obama administration's plan will put just one brand-name formulation of the "morning after" pill on store shelves. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:38:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/13/191338760/judge-reluctantly-approves-government-plan-for-morning-after-pill?ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/13/191338760/judge-reluctantly-approves-government-plan-for-morning-after-pill?ft=1&f=1027 Women and teenagers should soon be able to buy emergency contraception with no age restrictions, according to a federal district judge's memorandum. But the Obama administration's plan will put just one brand-name formulation of the "morning after" pill on store shelves.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Prevention Pill Cuts HIV Risk For Injecting Drug Users Needle sharing and drug use put an estimated 4,000 people at risk for contracting HIV every year. Now, the same medications that are used to treat HIV-positive individuals might also protect the uninfected before they engage in risky behavior. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:52:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/13/191314158/prevention-pill-cuts-hiv-risk-for-injecting-drug-users?ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/13/191314158/prevention-pill-cuts-hiv-risk-for-injecting-drug-users?ft=1&f=1027 Needle sharing and drug use put an estimated 4,000 people at risk for contracting HIV every year. Now, the same medications that are used to treat HIV-positive individuals might also protect the uninfected before they engage in risky behavior.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> New York Hospitals Shelve Rivalries For Proton Beam Project Instead of waiting for individual hospitals to apply to build proton centers, a health planning council solicited proposals, promising to favor collaborative approaches. A five-hospital group that teamed with a private company got the go-ahead to build in New York City. Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:03:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/13/191275012/new-york-hospitals-shelve-rivalries-for-proton-beam-project?ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/13/191275012/new-york-hospitals-shelve-rivalries-for-proton-beam-project?ft=1&f=1027 Instead of waiting for individual hospitals to apply to build proton centers, a health planning council solicited proposals, promising to favor collaborative approaches. A five-hospital group that teamed with a private company got the go-ahead to build in New York City.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Fighting To Breathe: Living With COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that slowly robs sufferers of the ability to breathe. COPD is the third leading cause of death in the U.S., surpassed only by cancer and heart disease. There are treatments, but no cure for the disease. Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/12/191028683/fighting-to-breathe-living-with-copd?ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/12/191028683/fighting-to-breathe-living-with-copd?ft=1&f=1027 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that slowly robs sufferers of the ability to breathe. COPD is the third leading cause of death in the U.S., surpassed only by cancer and heart disease. There are treatments, but no cure for the disease.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> A Delay In Relief From Copays For Costly Drugs The Affordable Care Act sets annual limits on the amount that people will owe out of pocket for prescription drugs starting in 2014. But sick people in some plans won't get relief until the following year because the federal government is giving certain health plans extra time to comply. Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:37:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/11/190645567/a-delay-in-relief-from-copays-for-costly-drugs?ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/06/11/190645567/a-delay-in-relief-from-copays-for-costly-drugs?ft=1&f=1027 The Affordable Care Act sets annual limits on the amount that people will owe out of pocket for prescription drugs starting in 2014. But sick people in some plans won't get relief until the following year because the federal government is giving certain health plans extra time to comply.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Feds Buckle On Emergency Contraception Age Restrictions The administration had been trying to appeal a judge's ruling to make the morning-after birth control pill available over the counter with no age restrictions. The Justice Department said it would obey the order — sort of. The FDA may soon approve the over-the-counter sale of Plan B One Step without a prescription. Tue, 11 Jun 2013 05:23:08 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/11/190559971/feds-buckle-on-emergency-contraception-age-restrictions?ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/2013/06/11/190559971/feds-buckle-on-emergency-contraception-age-restrictions?ft=1&f=1027 The administration had been trying to appeal a judge's ruling to make the morning-after birth control pill available over the counter with no age restrictions. The Justice Department said it would obey the order — sort of. The FDA may soon approve the over-the-counter sale of Plan B One Step without a prescription.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

]]>