Medicare

Medicare pays hospital-owned facilities more for the same service than it pays independent facilities. A proposal with broad support aims to end that practice, which can save money for patients. But rural hospitals say this can push them to cut services or close their doors.

The rapid growth of private Medicare Advantage plans is raising questions about what care could — and should — look like for all 80 million people expected to be on Medicare by 2030.

A federal pilot project tests handing the reins of some hospice care over to private insurers. The experiment, which began in 2021, could ultimately transform the end of life care available to millions of Americans.

Considering the country’s divided Congress, Americans shouldn’t hold their breath for major health reform legislation this year. On the other hand, 2023 is shaping up to see some incredibly consequential health policy changes that could impact millions.

An overhaul of Medicare’s prescription drug benefit will lower costs for seniors while changing incentives for insurers and drugmakers.

The Inflation Reduction Act gives Medicare historic new powers to lower prescription drug prices, but lawsuits, loopholes and opposition from the drug industry could undermine them.

Transferring critically ill patients is becoming increasingly difficult, according to hospital leaders, government officials and industry advocates. Patients are spending hours — or sometimes days — in rural hospital emergency rooms waiting for an ambulance.

Side Effects has been picked to join other public radio collaborations in America Amplified - Election 2020, a national initiative designed to produce…

For months, Democratic presidential candidates have been swarming Iowa, seeking support for the caucuses on February 3. Healthcare -- and how to pay for…

Holmes Co., Ohio, is a patchwork of farmland. Modest houses perch on sloping hills and laundry hangs from clothes lines, flapping in the wind. There are…