When A Tattoo Means Life Or Death. Literally
A gravely ill man arrives at the hospital, alone and unconscious, with a tattoo across his chest: "Do Not Resuscitate." It sparks deep conversation about end-of-life care in America.
Hospitals
Home Care Agencies Often Wrongly Deny Medicare Help To The Chronically Ill
Home health firms sometimes turn away Medicare beneficiaries who have chronic health problems by incorrectly claiming Medicare won't pay for their services, say advocates for patients.
Hospitals Brace Patients For Pain To Reduce Risk Of Opioid Addiction
As hospitals assess their role in the opioid crisis, some are trying to change patient expectations by warning them to expect some pain. Doctors in those hospitals are prescribing fewer opioids.
Hospitals In States That Expanded Medicaid Less Likely To Close
Hundreds of thousands of people gained health insurance in states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. In those states, hospitals were less likely to close.
Hospitals Nationally Hit Hard By Medicare's Safety Penalties
Seven states saw a third or more of their hospitals punished under the federal health law's campaign against hospital-acquired conditions. Critics accuse some unscathed hospitals of gaming the system.
7 Ways You Can Protect Yourself From Outrageous Medical Bills
Prepare to joust over bills with hospitals, medical providers and insurers. You can win by being smart and assertive and acting before a test or treatment is administered.
Should Hospitals Be Punished For Post-Surgical Patients' Opioid Addiction?
Many surgeons prescribe strong pain medicine without knowing how much their patients actually need. A group of doctors says hospitals should be accountable for patients' long-term opioid use.
Hurricane Damage To Manufacturers In Puerto Rico Affects Mainland Hospitals, Too
The island is a major center for drug and medical device manufacturing. After Hurricane Maria, those products, including small IV bags, are running short throughout the U.S.
After Maine Voters Approve Medicaid Expansion, Governor Raises Objections
Republican Gov. Paul LePage vetoed Medicaid expansion several times before, so advocates took the measure to the ballot box. Now the governor is placing financial conditions on moving ahead.
Counting The Heavy Cost Of Care In The Age Of Opioids
The city of Baltimore says it needs more money to distribute a lifesaving opioid overdose medication. And a recent study finds the cost of treating overdoses in U.S. hospital ICUs has risen sharply.