May 01 We're headed towards a 'post-antibiotic era,' World Health Organization warns By Robert Pursell In a report released Wednesday, the World Health Organization warned that society may soon be sliding into a “post-antibiotic era” in which common illnesses like pneumonia will once again become feared killers and surgery will come with heightened infection risks. Continue reading
May 01 Medicare wants to stop paying twice for hospice patient drugs By Susan Jaffe, Kaiser Health News New Medicare guidance taking effect today aims to stop the federal government from paying millions of dollars to hospice organizations and drug insurance plans for the same prescriptions for seniors. But the changes may make it more difficult for dying… Continue reading
Apr 30 Correcting 5 misconceptions about who pays for health care in the U.S. By Jay Hancock, Kaiser Health News Full implementation of the health law, and its wider coverage, new taxes and shifting subsidies, has renewed discussions of winners and losers, makers and moochers. Continue reading
Apr 29 Why boomers are retiring to college By Ellen Rolfes Step over nursing homes and golf communities. More baby boomers are reaching 67 and, unsatisfied with just the status quo options for retirement, they are looking for unique lifestyles that satiate their desire to join an active, intellectually stimulating and… Continue reading
Apr 28 Doctors worry wide use of testosterone could lead to heart problems By Sarah Varney Testosterone prescriptions in the U.S. more than tripled in the last decade, according to a study in JAMA Internal Medicine. But researchers suspect much of the testosterone dispensed at low T clinics isn’t tracked since it’s often bought with cash. Continue reading
Apr 25 Oregon decides to ditch its online health exchange for federal site By Gosia Wozniacka, Associated Press DURHAM, Ore. -- After months of trying to get its problem-plagued online health exchange to work, Oregon on Friday officially gave up on the state portal and decided to switch to the federal website -- the first state in the… Continue reading
Apr 24 Watch Appeal growing among kids, FDA cracks down on 'wild west' of e-cigarettes By PBS News Hour Continue watching
Apr 24 Money, the root of all infections By Ruth Tam Don’t accept anyone’s dirty money. Not because it’s wrong, but because it’s loaded with germs. Continue reading
Apr 24 FDA proposes new regulations for e-cigarettes By Anya van Wagtendonk Citing efforts “to make the next generation tobacco-free,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed new rules Thursday for e-cigarettes that would regulate the devices in a manner similar to traditional cigarettes. The new rule would require manufacturers of… Continue reading
Apr 23 Watch New Hepatitis-C drug raises hope at a hefty price By PBS News Hour A new drug has a 90 to 100 percent chance of curing the Hepatitis-C virus, but costs tens of thousands of dollars for a course of treatment. The announcement by the manufacturer that it earned more than $2 billion in… Continue watching