The Colonoscopies Were Free. But the ‘Surgical Trays’ Came With $600 Price Tags.
By Samantha Liss
Health providers may bill however they choose — including in ways that could leave patients with unexpected bills for “free” care. Routine preventive care saddled an Illinois couple with his-and-her bills for “surgical trays.”
New York Joins Local Governments in Erasing Billions in Medical Debt
By Yuki Noguchi, NPR News
New York City is the latest jurisdiction to buy and forgive a backlog of unpaid medical bills for its residents. Local governments across the country, including in the Chicago area, are doing the same to reduce debt burdens for lower-income residents.
Native American Communities Have the Highest Suicide Rates, Yet Interventions Are Scarce
By Cheryl Platzman Weinstock
Native Americans die by suicide at a higher rate than any other racial or ethnic group, yet research into effective and culturally appropriate interventions is uncommon.
Daily Edition for Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Health care affordability, hospital ratings, covid, abortion pill, gene therapy, prisoner health, and more are in the news.
With Trump Front of Mind, New Hampshire Voters Cite Abortion and Obamacare as Concerns
By Phil Galewitz
New Hampshire’s primary election was dominated by voters’ feelings about Donald Trump. But health care remains a concern — and for Democrats, preserving abortion access is a priority.
988-Hotline Counselors Air Concerns: More Training Needed to Juggle a Mix of Calls
By Colleen DeGuzman
Dozens of crisis counselors responded to a survey about their work experiences, painting a picture of uneven training, uncertainty about how long to stay on the line, and different policies on whether to inform a caller when police are on their way.
Preparing to Hang Up the Car Keys as We Age
By Judith Graham
As cognitive skills erode with age, driving skills weaken, but an aging driver may not recognize that. Advance directives on driving are one way to handle this challenge.
Daily Edition for Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Homelessness, ‘Medicare for All,’ water safety, mental health care, covid, RSV vaccines, birth control, and more are in the news.
In Los Angeles, Occupational Therapists Tapped to Help Homeless Stay Housed
By Molly Castle Work
Los Angeles County is deploying a small team of occupational therapists to help newly housed individuals adjust to life indoors. Therapists are trained to recognize disabilities and help with basic living skills, such as hygiene and cleanliness, that can help prevent clients from getting evicted or slipping back onto the streets.
What’s Indoor Air Quality Like in Long-Term Care Facilities During Wildfires? Worse Than You’d Think.
By Kylie Mohr
As climate change-driven wildfires increasingly choke large parts of the United States with smoke each summer, new research shows residents in long-term care facilities are being exposed to dangerously poor air, even those who don’t set foot outside during smoke events.
