Health Care

the U.S. Medicare Handbook is photographed in Washington

Why Is Medicare So Complicated?

Open enrollment is happening now for Medicare until December 7, but why is it so complicated to understand?

 | Emily Grossberg

flyers promoting Blue Cross Blue Shield and Obama Care are on display to attract Hispanic customers

Explaining Health Care Disparities Among Hispanics

The largest minority group in America has limited access to health care. What causes these disparities?

 | Axel Turcios

U.S. President Joe Biden.

Biden Pushing Lower Prescription Drug Costs In Midterm Press

The White House said President Biden will also sign an executive order that will direct HHS to look for additional ways to lower drug costs.

 | AP

Andrew Kuzyk and Pamela Andersen sit at their yard sale

Patients, Loved Ones Struggle To Pay Rising Health Care Costs

One man and his wife downsized and sold most of their belongings to pay for his medical costs as he fights brain cancer.

 | Lindsey Theis

Front row from left, youth mental health leader Ayanna Kelly, first lady Jill Biden, youth mental health leader Juan Acosta

Biden Administration Lays Out Roadmap To Mental Health Integration

Integrating mental health into primary care could help increase access to behavioral health services.

 | Kellan Howell

Mental health poster

Where Is Mental Health Funding Going?

Tackling the mental health crisis from a political standpoint often comes down to one thing —funding. So where is the money going?

 | Stephanie Liebergen

President Joe Biden and Medicare recipient Bob Parant.

Millions Of Americans Will Save On Medicare Fees Next Year

A rare 3% drop in monthly premiums is likely to be paired with a historically high cost-of-living increase for millions of Social Security recipients.

 | AP and Scripps News Staff

President Joe Biden

President Biden's Strategy To End U.S. Hunger Includes More Benefits

President Biden is hosting a conference this week on hunger, nutrition and health, the first by the White House since 1969.

 | AP

A nurse prepares a vaccine dose.

Pandemic Fatigue Could Cause Problems For Public Health

As most people get tired of dealing with the pandemic, experts worry Congress will too, which could affect vaccines, tests and other policies.

 | Scripps News Staff

Dr. Anthony Fauci

Fauci Announces December Departure From Government Service

Dr. Anthony Fauci — the nation's top infectious disease expert — has said his departure from the federal government does not mean he's retiring.

 | AP and Scripps News Staff

A doctor prepares a syringe with the monkeypox vaccine.

More Monkeypox Vaccines Will Be Made Available Ahead Of Pride Events

The U.S. is setting aside an extra 50,000 doses of monkeypox vaccines, specifically for large-scale pride events.

 | Maura Sirianni

President Biden gives pen he used to sign the "PACT Act of 2022" to Brielle Robinson, daughter of Sgt. Heath Robinson.

Veterans 'Burn Pits' Bill Marks A Personal Victory For Biden

Burn pits were used in Iraq and Afghanistan to dispose of chemicals, cans, plastics, medical equipment and human waste.

 | AP and Scripps News Staff

Pharmaceuticals spill out of a pill bottle.

Senate Rules Referee Weakens Dem Drug Plan In Economic Bill

Dems were told to remove language imposing hefty penalties on drugmakers that boost their prices beyond inflation in the private insurance market.

 | AP

U.S. President Joe Biden.

Biden Announces New Efforts To Address Youth Mental Health Crisis

The Biden administration also urged governors across the nation to invest more in school-based mental health services.

 | Scripps News Staff and Stephanie Liebergen

Servicios de la Raza, a social services organization that serves Denver, Colorado

Legislation Will Bridge Insurance Gap Among Hispanic Population

According to Census data, the Hispanic population is the least insured in the U.S. Some solutions are leveling the playing field.

 | Vanessa Misciagna and Scripps News Denver

Why Aren't Mental Health Resources Available To Everyone?

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness one in five Americans experience mental illness in a given year.

 | Maritsa Georgiou and Brandi Scarber

A firefighter pulls out a Safe Haven box.

Safe Haven Boxes Allow People To Safely Surrender Babies

Boxes from an Indiana non-profit lock and send alerts to first responders once a baby is placed inside the box.

 | Amber Strong

Dr. Caitlin Bernard, a reproductive healthcare provider, speaks during an abortion rights rally.

Indiana Doctor's Lawyer Tells AG To Halt False Statements

A lawyer issued a "cease and desist" letter over false information being spread on a physician who performed an abortion on a 10-year-old rape victim.

 | AP

The Walgreens logo on the front of a store.

Walgreens, Florida Settle Opioid Costs Lawsuit For $683M

Walgreens was the 12th and final defendant to settle with Florida, which will bring in more than $3 billion for the state to tackle opioid addiction.

 | AP and Scripps News Staff

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki

White House Pleads For More COVID Funding; GOP Questions Spending

With the White House asking Congress to pass additional COVID relief funding, Republicans question how the previous $1.9 trillion package was spent.

 | AP

Emergency techs push a gurney into a hospital.

New Law Reducing Surprise Medical Billing Still Has Gaps

Under the "No Surprises Act," everyone who takes care of you at an emergency room will be in-network. But the law won't help every person.

 | Scripps News Staff

psilocybin mushrooms

More Doctors Are Embracing Psychedelics

Once shunned by the medical establishment, psychedelics are experiencing a comeback.

 | Kellan Howell and Scripps News Staff

Young man holds head in hands.

Why Some Psychiatric Facilities Prioritize Out-Of-State Patients

Some children in need of immediate psychiatric care are forced to travel hundreds of miles to facilities across state lines.

 | Scripps

A nurse checks on a COVID-19 patient.

Uninsured Americans Could Soon Be Charged For Covid Testing, Vaccines

A federal program that was reimbursing health care providers for costs of COVID care has run out of money.

 | Kellan Howell

A shuttered Center for Covid Control site in Chicago.

Newsy Investigates: Government Money For Troubled COVID-19 Testing Lab

Ex-employees describe how the Center for Covid Control may have over-billed a government fund for Americans without health insurance.

 | Patrick Terpstra

HIV In The Deep South

In Real Life: HIV In The Deep South

Southern states account for 51% of new HIV cases in the nation. Mississippi is breaking down barriers and stigmas in an effort to reduce transmission.

 | Cody LaGrow and Alexandra Travis

Exam table inside a doctor's office

Young Doctors Struggle To Learn Abortion Procedures Amid State Bans

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends doctors receive standardized training on abortion care during residency.

 | WTVF

A doctor at Northwestern Medicine looks at X-rays of lungs

Doctors See Growing Demand For Lung Transplants During Pandemic

A pulmonary surgeon and oncologist are creating new protocols for treating lung cancer patients after treating 54-year-old Albert Khoury.

 | Lindsey Theis

An empty Center for COVID Control testing site

Newsy Investigates: Tax Dollars Kept Flowing To Troubled COVID-19 Lab

Lax laws allowed little oversight and lots of government reimbursement at a COVID-19 testing company accused of reporting false test results.

 | Patrick Terpstra

Bottles of medication

Purdue Pharma, U.S. States Agree To New Opioid Settlement

In all, the settlement plan could be worth more than $10 billion over time.

 | AP