Oct 17 Your devices are probably ruining your productivity. Here’s why By Lesley McClurg, KQED Science Mounting evidence shows that multitasking could impair the brain’s cognitive abilities. Continue reading
Oct 17 Cities prepare referendums for taxing sugary drinks By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline Voters in three California cities and one in Colorado will decide next month whether to slap a special tax on sugary drinks like soda and sports thirst-quenchers after costly, high-stakes campaigns that are pitting healthy-lifestyle advocates against the beverage and… Continue reading
Oct 17 Frustration runs deep for customers forced to change health plans By Jordan Rau, Kaiser Health News Doctor and hospital switching has become a recurring scramble as consumers on the individual market find it difficult or impossible to stay on their same plans amid rising premiums and a revolving door of carriers willing to sell policies. Continue reading
Oct 16 Watch 10:21 California to vote on legalizing recreational marijuana By Saskia de Melker, Melanie Saltzman California, the first state to legalize medical marijuana 20 years ago, will vote in November on whether to legalize recreational use for people over the age of 21. With 39 million residents and the world’s 6th-largest economy, California’s status could… Continue watching
Oct 16 The insulin market is heading for a shakeup. But patients may not benefit By Rebecca Robbins, STAT The insulin market, dominated by old drugs that have skyrocketed in price, is on the verge of a shakeup. Continue reading
Oct 15 What side effects? Most consumers don’t read drug risk information By Ed Silverman, STAT A new study comes amid ongoing concern that consumers do not read or have difficulty reading prescription drug risk information. Continue reading
Oct 14 Watch 4:05 News Wrap: Medicare rolls out new system for paying doctors By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Friday, Medicare is changing the way it compensates doctors and other clinicians. Starting in 2019, care providers will be allowed to choose whether they want to be paid for quality instead of quantity. Also, swollen rivers… Continue watching
Oct 14 Watch 5:30 This cancer survivor wants to stop kids in the Philippines from lighting up By PBS News Hour As smoking rates have fallen in the U.S. and Europe, tobacco companies have focused their advertising elsewhere, especially Asia. In the Philippines, 25 percent of the population smokes, and cigarettes are a leading cause of death. But one former smoker… Continue watching
Oct 14 Medicare unveils far-reaching overhaul of doctors’ pay By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press Medicare on Friday unveiled a far-reaching overhaul of how it compensates doctors and other clinicians. Continue reading
Oct 14 In some states, Medicaid rules make it more difficult to treat addiction By Christine Vestal, Stateline Finding and paying for addiction treatment remains a challenge for low-income Americans. Continue reading