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As large hospital systems buy up independent medical practices, the cost of health care rises

Sep 6, 2017
Large hospital systems gobbled up independent OB/GYN practices. As competition went down, prices have gone up.
Dr. Sarah Azad examines patient Ruby Lin at her private practice in Mountain View, California. 
Jenny Gold/courtesy of KHN

To fix Obamacare, look back at another health care battle

Sep 6, 2017
Medicare Advantage was once in jeopardy, too. But then Congress stepped in.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Harvey aftermath: Chemical plants still down

Sep 5, 2017
Chemicals plants that are needed to make many of the things that we use every day are still offline. It could get expensive. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.

Budget is slashed for Obamacare sign up ads

Sep 1, 2017
The Department of Health and Human Services announced it would cut Obamacare advertising money by $90 million, a 90 percent overall cut. The money was meant to be used to encourage people to sign up for insurance coverage. To critics, this is just another sign the Trump Administration is trying to sabotage the law that […]

Economists don't think price gouging is a problem. But what about our social values?

Sep 1, 2017
High prices limit hording and increase supply. But that's bad for business, one expert argues.
People wait in line to buy water at the Coastal Industrial and Specialty gas welding supplies store yesterday after the water supply to the city of Beaumont, Texas, was shut down from the effects of Hurricane Harvey.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Fires at flooded Arkema chemical plant in Texas worry residents

Aug 31, 2017
“I’m just worrying about what we’re gonna be breathing,” one local resident told us.
A Harris County Sheriff vehicle blocks access on the Crosby Dayton Road which leads towards the Arkema Chemical Plant in Crosby, Texas on August 31, 2017.
MANDEL NGAN / Getty Images

Houston plans aid for medically fragile as Harvey pounds on

Aug 29, 2017
As Harvey continues to pummel Houston, the city is using call lists and maps to help community health workers keep in touch with thousands of people. Some are in wheelchairs, others may need oxygen, ventilators or other medical devices that rely on electricity. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.

For public good, not for profit.

Can compassion have economic benefits?

Aug 29, 2017
Louisville, Kentucky, is providing compassion training in public schools and the city’s jail.
Louisville, Kentucky declared itself a “compassionate city,” by signing onto an international compassion charter in 2011.  Louisville’s mayor, Greg Fischer, is a former businessman who lists making his city more compassionate as one of his top goals.
Jeff Gentner / Getty Images

Study shows racial disparities in infant intensive care

Aug 28, 2017
“Our research is not uncovering racial bias,” the lead author at Stanford says.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Colleges see growing need for mental health services

Aug 23, 2017
With anxiety and depression on the rise, counseling centers respond.
A student walks near Royce Hall on the campus of UCLA  in Los Angeles, California.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images