NPR Topics: 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. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:26:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/thumbnail/npr_generic_image_75.jpg Health Care http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1027&ft=1&f=1027 yes 'Public Option' Remains Possible Snag As Vote Looms Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid needs 60 votes — that's every Democrat and both Independents — to clear the way for a vote on historic heath care legislation Saturday. The final two Democrats fell in line Saturday afternoon — Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. But the holdouts still expressed strong reluctance about the "public option" in Reid's bill. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:26:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120653061&ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120653061&ft=1&f=1027 Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid needs 60 votes — that's every Democrat and both Independents — to clear the way for a vote on historic heath care legislation Saturday. The final two Democrats fell in line Saturday afternoon — Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. But the holdouts still expressed strong reluctance about the "public option" in Reid's bill. no Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid needs 60 votes — that's every Democrat and both Independents — to clear the way for a vote on historic heath care legislation Saturday. The final two Democrats fell in line Saturday afternoon — Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. But the holdouts still expressed strong reluctance about the "public option" in Reid's bill.

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]]> Breast Cancer Guidelines' Impact On Black Women White women have higher breast cancer rates overall, but black women get the disease more often before age 40. They also tend to have more aggressive cancers and lower survival rates. That concerns Dr. Marisa Weiss, a Philadelphia oncologist. She tells host Guy Raz how the breast screening recommendations released this week by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force could have an especially rough impact on black women. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120652943&ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120652943&ft=1&f=1027 White women have higher breast cancer rates overall, but black women get the disease more often before age 40. They also tend to have more aggressive cancers and lower survival rates. That concerns Dr. Marisa Weiss, a Philadelphia oncologist. She tells host Guy Raz how the breast screening recommendations released this week by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force could have an especially rough impact on black women. 214 no White women have higher breast cancer rates overall, but black women get the disease more often before age 40. They also tend to have more aggressive cancers and lower survival rates. That concerns Dr. Marisa Weiss, a Philadelphia oncologist. She tells host Guy Raz how the breast screening recommendations released this week by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force could have an especially rough impact on black women.

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]]> Health Care Bill Clears Key Hurdle In Senate Senate Democrats pushed through a procedural wall Saturday night and formally opened the floor debate on their effort to overhaul the nation's $2.5 trillion health care system. The Senate mustered 60 votes, the exact number required to end a Republican filibuster against consideration of the bill, in a straight party-line vote. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:53:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120649888&ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120649888&ft=1&f=1027 Senate Democrats pushed through a procedural wall Saturday night and formally opened the floor debate on their effort to overhaul the nation's $2.5 trillion health care system. The Senate mustered 60 votes, the exact number required to end a Republican filibuster against consideration of the bill, in a straight party-line vote. no Senate Democrats pushed through a procedural wall Saturday night and formally opened the floor debate on their effort to overhaul the nation's $2.5 trillion health care system. The Senate mustered 60 votes, the exact number required to end a Republican filibuster against consideration of the bill, in a straight party-line vote.

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]]> Expect Senate Health Bill To Change, Durbin Says The historic health care overhaul plan proposed by Congressional Democrats makes its way to the Senate for a test vote tonight. The sweeping legislation sets the stage for a showdown between Republicans and a fragmented Democratic majority. Sixty votes are required to advance the bill toward full debate. Host Scott Simon speaks with Sen. Dick Durbin, the majority whip of the Senate. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120646658&ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120646658&ft=1&f=1027 The historic health care overhaul plan proposed by Congressional Democrats makes its way to the Senate for a test vote tonight. The sweeping legislation sets the stage for a showdown between Republicans and a fragmented Democratic majority. Sixty votes are required to advance the bill toward full debate. Host Scott Simon speaks with Sen. Dick Durbin, the majority whip of the Senate. 274 no The historic health care overhaul plan proposed by Congressional Democrats makes its way to the Senate for a test vote tonight. The sweeping legislation sets the stage for a showdown between Republicans and a fragmented Democratic majority. Sixty votes are required to advance the bill toward full debate. Host Scott Simon speaks with Sen. Dick Durbin, the majority whip of the Senate.

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]]> Republicans Hope For Just One Defection No Republicans will vote Saturday night to advance the Senate's health care bill to full debate, Republican Whip Sen. John Kyl says. That leaves the fate of the vote in the hands of a few moderate Democrats, all of whom are needed to reach the 60 votes required to push the bill forward. Host Scott Simon speaks with Kyl on his party's chances of defeating the bill. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120646662&ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120646662&ft=1&f=1027 No Republicans will vote Saturday night to advance the Senate's health care bill to full debate, Republican Whip Sen. John Kyl says. That leaves the fate of the vote in the hands of a few moderate Democrats, all of whom are needed to reach the 60 votes required to push the bill forward. Host Scott Simon speaks with Kyl on his party's chances of defeating the bill. 250 no No Republicans will vote Saturday night to advance the Senate's health care bill to full debate, Republican Whip Sen. John Kyl says. That leaves the fate of the vote in the hands of a few moderate Democrats, all of whom are needed to reach the 60 votes required to push the bill forward. Host Scott Simon speaks with Kyl on his party's chances of defeating the bill.

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]]> A Week Of Changes For Women's Health For the second time in a week, a panel of medical experts has recommended that younger women be tested less frequently for cancer. The latest advice is that women can wait until 21 to have their first Pap test for cervical cancer. Many women can skip annual Pap smears after that. The guidance comes after another recommendation earlier this week that routine mammograms needn't start until age 50. NPR digital health correspondent Scott Hensley has been following the changes and joins host Scott Simon to talk about it. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120646686&ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120646686&ft=1&f=1027 For the second time in a week, a panel of medical experts has recommended that younger women be tested less frequently for cancer. The latest advice is that women can wait until 21 to have their first Pap test for cervical cancer. Many women can skip annual Pap smears after that. The guidance comes after another recommendation earlier this week that routine mammograms needn't start until age 50. NPR digital health correspondent Scott Hensley has been following the changes and joins host Scott Simon to talk about it. 225 no For the second time in a week, a panel of medical experts has recommended that younger women be tested less frequently for cancer. The latest advice is that women can wait until 21 to have their first Pap test for cervical cancer. Many women can skip annual Pap smears after that. The guidance comes after another recommendation earlier this week that routine mammograms needn't start until age 50. NPR digital health correspondent Scott Hensley has been following the changes and joins host Scott Simon to talk about it.

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]]> Overlooked In The Rush To Digitize Medical Records The administration has made $45 billion available for doctors and hospital across the country to digitize medical records. This money, part of the government's stimulus plan, promises what amounts to a gold rush for major technology firms, who have begun competing to win those accounts. But Fred Schulte, senior reporter for the Huffington Post Investigative Fund, says some health care professionals wonder if the promise of electronic medical records has been exaggerated. Host Scott Simon talks to Schulte about the potential pitfalls. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120646690&ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120646690&ft=1&f=1027 The administration has made $45 billion available for doctors and hospital across the country to digitize medical records. This money, part of the government's stimulus plan, promises what amounts to a gold rush for major technology firms, who have begun competing to win those accounts. But Fred Schulte, senior reporter for the Huffington Post Investigative Fund, says some health care professionals wonder if the promise of electronic medical records has been exaggerated. Host Scott Simon talks to Schulte about the potential pitfalls. 350 no The administration has made $45 billion available for doctors and hospital across the country to digitize medical records. This money, part of the government's stimulus plan, promises what amounts to a gold rush for major technology firms, who have begun competing to win those accounts. But Fred Schulte, senior reporter for the Huffington Post Investigative Fund, says some health care professionals wonder if the promise of electronic medical records has been exaggerated. Host Scott Simon talks to Schulte about the potential pitfalls.

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]]> Rolling The Dice On Mammograms Every 1,900 screenings for women in their 40s produces just one case in which cancer is discovered. But what if you're the one? Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120645754&ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120645754&ft=1&f=1027 Every 1,900 screenings for women in their 40s produces just one case in which cancer is discovered. But what if you're the one? 166 no Every 1,900 screenings for women in their 40s produces just one case in which cancer is discovered. But what if you're the one?

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]]> Insurance Mandate Could Spur Walk-In Clinic Boom As it gets more difficult to see a primary care doctor, walk-in medical centers are picking up the slack. And if Congress succeeds in passing a nationwide health insurance mandate, the urgent care industry expects even more growth. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:09:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120473819&ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120473819&ft=1&f=1027 As it gets more difficult to see a primary care doctor, walk-in medical centers are picking up the slack. And if Congress succeeds in passing a nationwide health insurance mandate, the urgent care industry expects even more growth. 240 no As it gets more difficult to see a primary care doctor, walk-in medical centers are picking up the slack. And if Congress succeeds in passing a nationwide health insurance mandate, the urgent care industry expects even more growth.

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]]> Evidence-Based Medicine: Hard For Some To Swallow Patients often find it difficult to base medical decisions on study results. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:07:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120620408&ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120620408&ft=1&f=1027 Patients often find it difficult to base medical decisions on study results. 218 no Patients often find it difficult to base medical decisions on study results.

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]]> Health Care Concessions A Bow To Moderates The public option looms large in the minds of voters and certain lawmakers, but not so much in the Senate health care bill. There it limits eligibility, kicks in late, includes an opt-out provision for states, and is expected to cost more than private plans. Leaders say they had to weaken it to round up the 60 votes they need to move the bill forward. Still, its inclusion continues to jeopardize needed support for passage, because several members of the Democratic caucus adamantly oppose any public option. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120624310&ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120624310&ft=1&f=1027 The public option looms large in the minds of voters and certain lawmakers, but not so much in the Senate health care bill. There it limits eligibility, kicks in late, includes an opt-out provision for states, and is expected to cost more than private plans. Leaders say they had to weaken it to round up the 60 votes they need to move the bill forward. Still, its inclusion continues to jeopardize needed support for passage, because several members of the Democratic caucus adamantly oppose any public option. 222 no The public option looms large in the minds of voters and certain lawmakers, but not so much in the Senate health care bill. There it limits eligibility, kicks in late, includes an opt-out provision for states, and is expected to cost more than private plans. Leaders say they had to weaken it to round up the 60 votes they need to move the bill forward. Still, its inclusion continues to jeopardize needed support for passage, because several members of the Democratic caucus adamantly oppose any public option.

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]]> Costs Of Prescription Drugs Spike Prices for brand-name prescription drugs are on the rise. In some cases, they are up by more than 8 percent despite a decline in generic drug prices. Uwe Reinhardt, a professor of economics and public affairs at Princeton University, offers his insight. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120624314&ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120624314&ft=1&f=1027 Prices for brand-name prescription drugs are on the rise. In some cases, they are up by more than 8 percent despite a decline in generic drug prices. Uwe Reinhardt, a professor of economics and public affairs at Princeton University, offers his insight. 264 no Prices for brand-name prescription drugs are on the rise. In some cases, they are up by more than 8 percent despite a decline in generic drug prices. Uwe Reinhardt, a professor of economics and public affairs at Princeton University, offers his insight.

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]]> 'Botax' In Senate Health Bill Upsets Plastic Surgeons Levies on liposuction, breast augmentation and other cosmetic procedures would generate billions of dollars to help cover the uninsured. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:38:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613801&ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613801&ft=1&f=1027 Levies on liposuction, breast augmentation and other cosmetic procedures would generate billions of dollars to help cover the uninsured. no Levies on liposuction, breast augmentation and other cosmetic procedures would generate billions of dollars to help cover the uninsured.

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]]> Debating Benefits, Risks Of Routine Mammograms New guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend women start getting routine mammograms at age 50, not 40. Ira Flatow and guests take a closer look at the guidelines and what they mean for women's health. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613264&ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613264&ft=1&f=1027 New guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend women start getting routine mammograms at age 50, not 40. Ira Flatow and guests take a closer look at the guidelines and what they mean for women's health. 1564 no New guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend women start getting routine mammograms at age 50, not 40. Ira Flatow and guests take a closer look at the guidelines and what they mean for women's health.

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]]> Listeners Reject, Accept New Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Tell Me More host Michel Martin and Lee Hill, the program's "digital media guy," comb through listener feedback and offer important news updates to recent conversations heard on the program. This week, the audience shares personal stories in reaction to controversial new guidelines issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a component of the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency says suggests women can now wait an additional 10 years before getting an annual mammogram. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120608136&ft=1&f=1027 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120608136&ft=1&f=1027 Tell Me More host Michel Martin and Lee Hill, the program's "digital media guy," comb through listener feedback and offer important news updates to recent conversations heard on the program. This week, the audience shares personal stories in reaction to controversial new guidelines issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a component of the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency says suggests women can now wait an additional 10 years before getting an annual mammogram. 256 no Tell Me More host Michel Martin and Lee Hill, the program's "digital media guy," comb through listener feedback and offer important news updates to recent conversations heard on the program. This week, the audience shares personal stories in reaction to controversial new guidelines issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a component of the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency says suggests women can now wait an additional 10 years before getting an annual mammogram.

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