Health Care

The public’s faith in the safety and efficacy of prescription drugs and vaccines has been shaken as never before. There’s skepticism about the role the big pharma plays in rolling out new medications, yet there are amazing breakthroughs in treating once fatal diseases. And then there’s the price for critical treatments that can be beyond the reach for many. How did we get here and how can we fix it? We are joined by Dr Jerry Avorn, professor of medicine at Harvard University Medical School and author of the new book, “Rethinking Medications: Truth, Power and the Drugs you Take.”

Health care price transparency is one of the few bipartisan issues in Washington, D.C. But much of the information is not helpful to patients, and there's no evidence that it's lowering costs.

In polls and focus groups, Trump voters say they want the government to do something about big medical bills. It's a big change from 5 years ago, pollsters say, and may not be on Trump's agenda.

Federal power only goes so far. State governors and legislatures have wide authority over local law enforcement, schools, health and how cities and counties handle immigration.

It's common for young people leaving jails and prisons to end up back behind bars, often after lapses related to untreated mental illness or substance abuse. A new law will help them get Medicaid.

Poverty is big business in America. The federal government spends about $900 billion a year on programs that impact poor Americans, including antipoverty programs like Medicaid, affordable housing and subsidies. There is a vast web of entrenched companies that profit from regulating the lives of the poor with business models that depend on exploiting low-income Americans. The new book Poverty for Profit explains.

Patients are protesting, bipartisan lawmakers are threatening regulation – and investors are selling their shares.

Donald Trump's first administration advanced rules forcing hospitals and insurers to reveal prices for medical services. Employers don't want to risk backtracking during Trump's second administration.

The Texas near-total abortion ban continues to reveal its unintended consequences that are making childbirth in the state less safe and increasing the rates of infant and maternal mortality.

The students saw the move as part of a political environment that has become increasingly hostile against LGBTQ+ people in Texas.