Health Inc. http://www.npr.org As spending on care rises, the business of health keeps getting more important. We feature news on and analysis of drugmakers, health insurers, hospitals, doctors and others in the business of providing health care. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Fri, 24 May 2013 10:57:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Health Inc. http://www.npr.org Health Insurance At 'Good Prices' Coming To Calif. Exchange It's the first disclosure of prices in the nation's most populous state for individual health insurance that complies with the Affordable Care Act, and the menu of affordable options surprised some consumer advocates and analysts who had been expecting premiums to be much higher. Fri, 24 May 2013 10:57:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/24/186430860/health-insurance-at-good-prices-coming-to-calif-exchange?ft=1&f=133188447 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/24/186430860/health-insurance-at-good-prices-coming-to-calif-exchange?ft=1&f=133188447 It's the first disclosure of prices in the nation's most populous state for individual health insurance that complies with the Affordable Care Act, and the menu of affordable options surprised some consumer advocates and analysts who had been expecting premiums to be much higher.

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]]> It Came From Norway To Take On A Medical Goliath A company that got its start assessing the risks of ocean-going vessels now checks U.S. hospitals for quality. Known as DNV, the firm is bringing competition to an area of health care that obsesses insiders yet is little known by patients. Fri, 10 May 2013 10:16:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/09/182631394/it-came-from-norway-to-take-on-a-medical-goliath?ft=1&f=133188447 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/09/182631394/it-came-from-norway-to-take-on-a-medical-goliath?ft=1&f=133188447 A company that got its start assessing the risks of ocean-going vessels now checks U.S. hospitals for quality. Known as DNV, the firm is bringing competition to an area of health care that obsesses insiders yet is little known by patients.

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]]> Pfizer Goes Direct With Online Viagra Sales To Men Men still need a prescription for the diamond-shaped blue pills. But instead of going to the pharmacy in person, or taking their chances buying from an online pharmacy of unknown repute, men will be able to buy Viagra from the maker of the drug itself and have it shipped to their homes. Mon, 06 May 2013 11:47:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/06/181577694/pfizer-goes-direct-with-viagra-sales-to-men?ft=1&f=133188447 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/06/181577694/pfizer-goes-direct-with-viagra-sales-to-men?ft=1&f=133188447 Men still need a prescription for the diamond-shaped blue pills. But instead of going to the pharmacy in person, or taking their chances buying from an online pharmacy of unknown repute, men will be able to buy Viagra from the maker of the drug itself and have it shipped to their homes.

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]]> Recalls Of Dietary Supplements Highlight Mystery Ingredients More than 200 dietary supplements have been recalled in recent years because they contain drugs that aren't listed on the label, an analysis finds. The ingredients are potentially harmful, researchers say. Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:17:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/04/18/177791285/recalls-of-dietary-supplements-highlight-mystery-ingredients?ft=1&f=133188447 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/04/18/177791285/recalls-of-dietary-supplements-highlight-mystery-ingredients?ft=1&f=133188447 More than 200 dietary supplements have been recalled in recent years because they contain drugs that aren't listed on the label, an analysis finds. The ingredients are potentially harmful, researchers say.

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]]> Quality Conundrum: Complications Boost Hospital Profits Hospitals can make more money when surgery leads to complication that need to be fixed. Critics say the current payment system rewards hospitals for bad care and fails to provide incentives that would benefit patients. Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/04/16/177481476/quality-conundrum-complications-boost-hospital-profits?ft=1&f=133188447 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/04/16/177481476/quality-conundrum-complications-boost-hospital-profits?ft=1&f=133188447 Hospitals can make more money when surgery leads to complication that need to be fixed. Critics say the current payment system rewards hospitals for bad care and fails to provide incentives that would benefit patients.

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]]> Supreme Court Asks: Can Human Genes Be Patented? Same-sex marriage got huge headlines at the Supreme Court last month, but in the world of science and medicine, the case being argued on Monday is far more important. The lawsuit deals with a truly 21st century issue that in some cases can pit drugmakers against patients. Mon, 15 Apr 2013 03:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/04/15/177035299/supreme-court-asks-can-human-genes-be-patented?ft=1&f=133188447 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/04/15/177035299/supreme-court-asks-can-human-genes-be-patented?ft=1&f=133188447 Same-sex marriage got huge headlines at the Supreme Court last month, but in the world of science and medicine, the case being argued on Monday is far more important. The lawsuit deals with a truly 21st century issue that in some cases can pit drugmakers against patients.

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]]> Wait For Obamacare Price Tags Could Last Months In many states the deadlines for companies to file their insurance for sale on new exchanges aren't until late May. Some states with early deadlines have no plans to disclose the rates anytime soon. Fri, 12 Apr 2013 15:05:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/04/12/177048642/wait-for-obamacare-price-tags-could-last-months?ft=1&f=133188447 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/04/12/177048642/wait-for-obamacare-price-tags-could-last-months?ft=1&f=133188447 In many states the deadlines for companies to file their insurance for sale on new exchanges aren't until late May. Some states with early deadlines have no plans to disclose the rates anytime soon.

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]]> Companies On The Move Look For Healthy Workers Penny-pinching CEOs are relocating businesses to places with fitter workers and lower health costs. Colorado, where adult obesity rates are low, is playing up its health advantage as it tries to lure companies to move. Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:58:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/04/09/176712349/companies-on-the-move-look-for-healthy-workers?ft=1&f=133188447 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/04/09/176712349/companies-on-the-move-look-for-healthy-workers?ft=1&f=133188447 Penny-pinching CEOs are relocating businesses to places with fitter workers and lower health costs. Colorado, where adult obesity rates are low, is playing up its health advantage as it tries to lure companies to move.

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]]> New Medical School Wants To Build Ranks Of Primary Care Doctors Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn., is spending $100 million to open a medical school in the fall. Its goal is to have more than 50 percent of its graduates go into primary care. Tue, 02 Apr 2013 03:23:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/04/02/175945921/new-medical-school-wants-to-build-ranks-of-primary-care-doctors?ft=1&f=133188447 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/04/02/175945921/new-medical-school-wants-to-build-ranks-of-primary-care-doctors?ft=1&f=133188447 Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn., is spending $100 million to open a medical school in the fall. Its goal is to have more than 50 percent of its graduates go into primary care.

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]]> Obamacare Won't Affect Most 2012 Taxes, Despite Firm's Claim H&R Block claims it's equipped to guide you through the Affordable Care Act and the law's implications for your taxes this year. But the law doesn't really affect 2012 returns. Fri, 29 Mar 2013 03:06:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/03/29/175588783/obamacare-wont-affect-most-2012-taxes-despite-firms-claim?ft=1&f=133188447 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/03/29/175588783/obamacare-wont-affect-most-2012-taxes-despite-firms-claim?ft=1&f=133188447 H&R Block claims it's equipped to guide you through the Affordable Care Act and the law's implications for your taxes this year. But the law doesn't really affect 2012 returns.

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]]> Employers Try To Spur Healthy Behaviors With Health Plan Rewards Surveys show that an increasing number of employers are providing employees with financial incentives to stay healthy. Many employers now contribute to employee health savings accounts, but only if employees make sure to take care of their health. Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:23:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/03/26/175387366/employers-try-to-spur-healthy-behaviors-with-health-plan-rewards?ft=1&f=133188447 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/03/26/175387366/employers-try-to-spur-healthy-behaviors-with-health-plan-rewards?ft=1&f=133188447 Surveys show that an increasing number of employers are providing employees with financial incentives to stay healthy. Many employers now contribute to employee health savings accounts, but only if employees make sure to take care of their health.

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]]> Is Your Medicine Vegan? Probably Not Go looking for animal products, and you will find them everywhere, including pharmaceutical drugs. That's the word from a new guide to animal-derived products in everyday products written by two German "professional vegans." Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:42:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/03/13/174205188/is-your-medicine-vegan-probably-not?ft=1&f=133188447 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/03/13/174205188/is-your-medicine-vegan-probably-not?ft=1&f=133188447 Go looking for animal products, and you will find them everywhere, including pharmaceutical drugs. That's the word from a new guide to animal-derived products in everyday products written by two German "professional vegans."

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]]> Matchmaker, Er, Match Week, Make Me A Doctor During match week, med students learn if, and where, they will go for a residency program. It's a nerve-wracking process, but it's supposed to give students an advantage – allowing them to have the same ability to rank their favorite programs as hospitals have to choose the best applicants. Fri, 15 Mar 2013 16:31:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/03/15/174427862/matchmaker-er-match-week-make-me-a-doctor?ft=1&f=133188447 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/03/15/174427862/matchmaker-er-match-week-make-me-a-doctor?ft=1&f=133188447 During match week, med students learn if, and where, they will go for a residency program. It's a nerve-wracking process, but it's supposed to give students an advantage – allowing them to have the same ability to rank their favorite programs as hospitals have to choose the best applicants.

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]]> When It Comes To Health Care, Patients Don't Want To Weigh Costs Patients feel little personal responsibility for keeping health costs lower, a study found. They were also unlikely to accept a less expensive treatment option, even if it was nearly as effective as a more expensive choice. Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/03/12/174106660/when-it-comes-to-health-care-patients-don-t-want-to-be-swayed-by-cost?ft=1&f=133188447 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/03/12/174106660/when-it-comes-to-health-care-patients-don-t-want-to-be-swayed-by-cost?ft=1&f=133188447 Patients feel little personal responsibility for keeping health costs lower, a study found. They were also unlikely to accept a less expensive treatment option, even if it was nearly as effective as a more expensive choice.

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]]> Health Insurers Brace For Consumer Ratings In Some States Several states are scrambling to decide what information about quality would be useful to the millions of people and small businesses expected to shop for insurance coverage in new marketplaces beginning in October. Fri, 01 Mar 2013 11:55:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/03/01/173235845/health-insurers-brace-for-consumer-ratings-in-some-states?ft=1&f=133188447 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/03/01/173235845/health-insurers-brace-for-consumer-ratings-in-some-states?ft=1&f=133188447 Several states are scrambling to decide what information about quality would be useful to the millions of people and small businesses expected to shop for insurance coverage in new marketplaces beginning in October.

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