Oct 15 We may soon have our first $1 million drug. Who will pay for it? And how? By Meghana Keshavan, STAT As the first gene therapies approach the market, drug makers, insurers, and patients are debating complex questions about cost, value, and payment plans. Continue reading
Oct 14 An old-school pharmacy hand-delivers drugs to Congress, a little-known perk for the powerful By Erin Mershon, STAT WASHINGTON — If House Speaker Paul Ryan comes down with the flu this winter, he and his security detail won’t be screeching off toward the closest CVS for his Tamiflu. Instead, he can just walk downstairs and pick up the… Continue reading
Oct 08 An outbreak waiting to happen: hepatitis A marches through San Diego’s homeless community By Usha Lee McFarling, STAT A hepatitis A outbreak that has stricken 481 people in San Diego could get worse because of the challenges of dealing with the homeless population. Continue reading
Sep 30 Deadly West Nile virus cases are spiking in LA. The first line of defense: chickens By Usha Lee McFarling, STAT More than six dozen sentinel chickens, living in coops dotted around Los Angeles, make up one of the first lines of defense in this sprawling county’s fight against West Nile virus. Continue reading
Sep 29 Lakes and pools can be deadly for children with autism. But tailored swim lessons can save lives By Leah Samuel, STAT Drowning is the most common fatal injury among children with autism, so community centers and schools are offering tailored swim lessons. Continue reading
Sep 23 HHS hints at major changes to Medicare that could mean higher costs for patients By Erin Mershon, STAT WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is signaling it will pursue significant changes to Medicare that could put beneficiaries on the hook for higher costs. In an informal proposal on Wednesday, federal health officials hinted at several new pilot programs it… Continue reading
Sep 17 End-of-life decisions can be difficult. This doctor thinks ‘nudges’ can help By Bob Tedeschi, STAT A critical care physician says "nudges" can help those with serious illnesses make sound decisions at a time of great emotional and physical complexity. Continue reading
Sep 16 They got hundreds of thousands to rally. Where does the March for Science go from here? By Lev Facher, STAT The rally was a demonstration of enthusiasm and political clout. But organizers now hope to turn a march into a movement. Continue reading
Sep 10 Could a mouthful of squid ink replace painful dental probes for gum disease? By Usha Lee McFarling, STAT A University of California, San Diego, nanoengineer is developing a way, using ultrasound and squid ink, to replace the worst part of the dental exam. Continue reading
Sep 09 Third dose of mumps vaccine could help stop outbreaks, researchers say By Helen Branswell, STAT The findings come as health officials confront large and protracted mumps epidemics that have become more common around the country. Continue reading