When they need health care, Americans can be slapped with surprise medical costs because of loopholes in the law and “junk fees,” according to the White House. The Biden administration is taking action on several fronts to deal with these unexpected costs. “Evading the law and playing games to charge crazy, outrageous prices has to… read on > read on >
An experimental implant now under development could serve as a temporary monitor and pacemaker for ailing heart patients — then dissolve away when it’s no longer needed. The soft, lightweight and transparent implant is about the size of a postage stamp, and is made of polymers and metals that are biodegradable, researchers reported July 5… read on > read on >
American industry engages in some of the same high-risk practices as other countries in keeping and selling commercial animals that have the potential for triggering outbreaks of disease among humans, a new report shows. Researchers from Harvard Law School and New York University (NYU) studied this as part of a larger project in which they… read on > read on >
New federal initiatives could help save Americans money on health care costs. President Joe Biden announced plans Friday to target surprise medical bills, scam insurance and third-party credit cards and loans that carry high interest charges, the Associated Press reported. Limiting “junk” insurance plans is a key initiative. These are short-term policies that people sometimes… read on > read on >
“Forever chemicals” are widespread in the environment, and new research finds they can be detected in about 45% of U.S. tap water samples. The chemicals are per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS, and their spread through drinking water — both tap and well — may be even higher because researchers from the U.S. Geological… read on > read on >
A day at the beach can be fun with family and friends, but water pollution can ruin the experience. The problem is more widespread than many might think: In a new report, the Environment America Research & Policy Center, a nonprofit organization, found that half of U.S. beaches had potentially unsafe contamination levels in 2022.… read on > read on >
Dr. Richard Stumacher’s coworker at Northwell Health in New York City used to smoke to curb her severe anxiety, and tried multiple times to stop. “She went through the program and she would quit, and then she would fall off, and we would always support her,” said Stumacher, who specializes in pulmonary disease and critical… read on > read on >
For much of the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors have told patients who get a negative result after taking a rapid antigen test at home to test again 48 hours later. A new study confirms that’s the right advice. Whether you have symptoms or not, repeat testing after 48 hours may be required to rule out COVID… read on > read on >
Like people, dogs slow down as they age. Researchers wondered whether slowed walking could also signal mental decline. To learn more, they did a series of experiments that included measuring the dogs’ speed both on and off leash as well as cognitive testing. “Walking speed in people is strongly associated with cognitive decline,” said study… read on > read on >
Older American adults who live in warmer regions are more likely to have serious vision impairment than those who live in cooler places, new research finds. Living with average temperatures of 60 degrees Fahrenheit or above — think South Florida, for example — created much higher odds of blindness or trouble seeing even with glasses,… read on > read on >
