Helen Palmer

Latest Stories (187)

Hospital closures on the horizon?

Nov 28, 2006
A state commission in New York today is likely to recommend closure of dozens of public hospitals to streamline health care delivery and costs. Helen Palmer reports.

Getting drug ads to your TV faster

Nov 21, 2006
The FDA has reached a new deal with pharmaceutical companies: Drug makers will now pay fees in return for a speedier review process of their TV ads. Helen Palmer reports.

The cost of cancer

Nov 21, 2006
A new survey says cancer patients — insured or not — are having a hard time keeping up with their treatment bills. Helen Palmer reports.

Questioning the flu shot

Nov 20, 2006
The CDC recommends flu shots for 185 million of us, but some experts question how effective they really are — and whether it's actually a good public health investment. Helen Palmer reports.

Medicare Part D enrollment, take two

Nov 15, 2006
Enrollment starts today for year two of the government's Medicare Part program. Not everyone's satisfied, but it's been mostly a success for seniors — and insurers, Helen Palmer reports.

Is it <i>really</i> universal health insurance?

Nov 13, 2006
The health insurance industry's main lobby group today unveils a plan to provide access to health coverage for all Americans. Does it live up to its promise? Helen Palmer reports.

Blueprint for safer surgery

Nov 9, 2006
The FDA has a new plan to improve safety monitoring for medical devices like pacemakers, defibrillators and those spring-like stents that pop arteries open during surgery. Helen Palmer reports.

Stem-cell research finds a home in Missouri

Nov 8, 2006
<strong>WEB EXTRA:</strong> Missouri voters on Tuesday approved expanding stem-cell research. The Show Me State plans to show the world it can be a stem-cell center. Helen Palmer reports.

Funding stem cell research

Nov 8, 2006
Despite the outcome of Tuesday's ballot initiative in Missouri, the debate over embryonic stem cell research isn't likely to end soon. Meantime, funding for the research continues to grow. Helen Palmer reports.

Fat and happy

Nov 1, 2006
New research out of Harvard finds mice given large amounts of a compound found in red wine were able to consume high-calorie diets without the usual bad side effects of getting fat. Helen Palmer reports.