Health Coverage | PBS NewsHour Podcast | PBS

U.S. Launches National Strategy to Combat Alzheimer's Disease

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:30:00 EDT

As rates of Alzheimer's Disease continue to jump in the U.S., HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced Tuesday the first Congressionally mandated plan to help prevent and treat the disease. Margaret Warner discusses the details with NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins and Eric Hall, CEO of Alzheimer's Foundation of America.

A Drug to Prevent HIV's Spread: Truvada's Promises and Problems

Fri, 11 May 2012 18:20:00 EDT

The Food and Drug Administration gave the go-ahead Thursday to a drug combination called Truvada that is aimed at preventing the spread of HIV. Until now, it had only approved drugs for treating the disease. Ray Suarez discusses the details with Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases.

FDA Urges Caution Over Long-Term Use of Bone-Density-Building Drugs

Thu, 10 May 2012 18:38:00 EDT

Millions of women grapple with whether to take bone-density-building drugs to treat or prevent osteoporosis, but the FDA this week warned that long-term use of bisphosphonates can lead to rare fractures and side effects. Margaret Warner and Maine Medical Center's Dr. Clifford Rosen discuss the risks outlined by the FDA.

Will Obesity Reverse Rise in U.S. Life Expectancy?

Tue, 08 May 2012 18:18:00 EDT

Public health experts have long warned of a growing obesity epidemic in America. This week, the Institute of Medicine and others launched a major campaign in hopes of curbing the problem. Ray Suarez and Dr. Francis Collins of the National Institutes of Health discuss the personal and public consequences of obesity.

Newborns Addicted to Painkillers: Study Finds Troubling Spike in Cases

Tue, 01 May 2012 18:30:00 EDT

On average, one baby is born in the United States each hour addicted to opiates -- a class of drugs ranging from heroin to prescription painkillers, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Ray Suarez discusses the findings with lead author Dr. Stephen Patrick of the University of Michigan.

High-Deductible Plans a 'Quiet Revolution in Health Insurance'

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:25:00 EDT

As health costs rise, insurance plans characterized by lower premiums and higher out-of-pocket costs are on the rise in American workplaces. Health correspondent Betty Ann Bowser reports on the growing trend toward high-deductible health plans, and concerns that they may encourage delays in receiving needed medical care.

VA Adds 1,600 Workers to Fix Backlog, but 'Always More We Can Do'

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:09:00 EDT

Responding to a backlog of mental health cases and a blistering federal appeals court ruling, Veteran Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki said Thursday that the agency will hire 1,600 more professionals -- including psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers. Jeffrey Brown and the VA's Sonja Batten discuss the new hires' goals.

After Heart Attack, Turning Scar Tissue Back Into Beating Heart Cells

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:37:00 EDT

A study published Wednesday in the journal Nature revealed that scientists have managed to convert damaged tissue into functioning heart muscle by inducing mild heart attacks on lab mice then coaxing their hearts into rebuilding themselves. In collaboration with KQED's QUEST program, correspondent Spencer Michels reports.

SCOTUS v. POTUS: The Role of the Supreme Court, Historically

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:38:00 EDT

President Obama made his feelings known this week on the Supreme Court, "judicial activism" and "those who would overturn" the health reform law. Some say he's gone too far. Jeffrey Brown discusses the historical tug-of-war between the president and the Court with Georgetown Law's Louis Michael Seidman and Randy Barnett.

Medical Groups Call on Doctors to 'Choose Wisely,' Perform Fewer Tests

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:20:00 EDT

Nine medical specialty groups on Wednesday released a list of 45 medical tests and procedures they say are often unnecessary and costly -- and sometimes dangerous. Gwen Ifill discusses the "Choose Wisely" campaign with Dr. Glen Stream of the American Academy of Family Physicians and Dr. Eric Topol of Scripps Health.

News Wrap: Internet Giant Yahoo to Lay Off 14 Percent of Staff

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:15:00 EDT

In other news Wednesday, Internet giant Yahoo announced that it will lay off 2,000 employees as part of a plan to redeploy resources and boost revenues. Also, a barrage of tornadoes Tuesday damaged or destroyed 650 homes in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. No deaths and only a few serious injuries were reported.

A Hard-Hitting Story: Young Football Players Take Big-League Hits to Head

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:26:00 EDT

Virginia Tech researchers placed helmets with sensors on 7- and 8-year-old football players and collected data on more than 750 hits to the head over a season. The findings are the first quantitative study of the acceleration and risk that young brains face in youth football. Special correspondent Stone Phillips reports.

Health Reform's Fate: How the Supreme Court Will Decide

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:03:00 EDT

After three days of hearings on health care reform, Supreme Court justices held a secret preliminary vote Friday to deliberate the Affordable Care Act's future. Their decision is expected in late June. Jeffrey Brown and The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle discuss the steps ahead as the justices begin their deliberations.

Autism's Prevalence Grows: 'This Is a Big Problem'

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:16:00 EDT

The rate of autism diagnosis in American children continues to climb, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. Jeffrey Brown discusses the latest research into the group of disorders with CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden and the University of Rochester Medical Center's Dr. Susan Hyman.

After Hearings, GOP Candidates Redouble Health Reform Critiques

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:03:00 EDT

As the Supreme Court decides how to rule on the health reform law following this week's hearings, Republican candidates Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney touched on the topic Thursday. Judy Woodruff, The Washington Post's Amy Gardner and The Boston Globe's Brian Mooney discuss how health care is being debated on the campaign trail.