archive

November 30, 2012 Sometimes the real trick for improving health is getting people, including doctors, to hear the right message and then do something about it. So what's the best way to get the word out about a decades-old generic drug that could save the lives of critically injured patients? You make a comic book.

Summary

November 29, 2012 By delaying the age at which people can join Medicare, the federal government could save millions of dollars. But if 65- and 66-year-olds have to find health insurance on the open market, states, employers and individuals of all ages will end up paying a lot more.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

November 29, 2012 On Jan. 1, Medicare is set to cut payments to doctors by nearly 30 percent. Lawmakers of both parties want to prevent this. So why is it imminent?

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

November 26, 2012 A policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics urges doctors to write prescriptions in advance to let teens have fast access to emergency contraception. The pills are currently available over the counter only to those 17 and older.

Summary

November 21, 2012 The last three decades have seen a dramatic increase in early-stage, but not late-stage, breast cancers, as mammography has become routine. Some researchers are concerned that women are being treated for cancers that would never turn deadly.

Transcript

On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

November 21, 2012 Easier access to oral contraceptives could reduce unintended pregnancies, doctors say. But the Food and Drug Administration would have to allow purchases of the pill without a prescription, and that's not going to happen anytime soon.

Summary

November 21, 2012 CPRPrevious research has found that patients with online access to their doctors made fewer trips to the doctor's office. But a large, just-published study shows just the opposite: Patients who can email their physicians may schedule more visits.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

November 20, 2012 More than 40 percent of surgical complications occur after patients are at home. The solution for the problem isn't keeping patients in the hospital longer, researchers say. Better instructions to patients and improved monitoring could help.

Summary

November 15, 2012 Two Republican governors announced Thursday afternoon that they would not create exchanges in their states. A Democratic governor chose a hybrid model for her state. Then, the federal government pushed back the states' decision deadline, again.

Summary