Since January, hospitals were supposed to be disclosing true prices for their services, as a way to empower patients to shop around. Turns out, compliance is spotty and the data can be hard to find. More
The Biden administration released the first part of regulations to implement a law that bans surprise medical bills, outlining what types of charges will be outlawed starting in 2022. More
Although most well-known patient organizations have important missions and provide invaluable services to patients, many appear unable or unwilling to take positions on consumer issues such as lowering prescription drug prices that might anger their drug corporation funders.
Plans like United Healthcare say it’s necessary to contain health care costs. Experts say it’s the wrong approach. More
The idea is that permanent, stable housing is a key to good health More
We must train providers to understand their unique needs in order to deliver affirming, compassionate treatment More
Black and Hispanic students have lost up to 12 months of learning, which could lead to lower incomes and shorter, sicker lives. More
The pandemic has stripped our emotional reserves even further, laying bare our unique physical, social, and emotional vulnerabilities. More
How New Hospital Transparency Regulations Fall Short More
Consumers may think they’re safer or more “natural” than pharmaceuticals, but multiple studies show they are sometimes adulterated with medicines and unknown additives. More
A new WHO reports lays out ethical principles for AI in medicine, but applying them won't be easy More
When Aduhelm’s prospects appeared dead, Biogen mounted a secret campaign to resurrect the drug and convince the FDA to approve it. More
Nearly 70% of all U.S. physicians are now employed by hospitals or corporations. More
If the most important measure of society is the well‐being of its populace, then dismantling the direct linkage between one's health and race should be our most urgent priority. More
Overtreatment and low-value care may cost more than $100 billion per year. In the new Back Surgery (Spinal Fusion) rating, we incorporate a measure of overuse that was calculated for U.S. News by data scientists at the Lown Institute, a nonpartisan think tank. This measure is also a component of the Overuse metric of the Lown Institute Hospitals Index. Because a pattern of overuse or low-value care is not compatible with being a high-quality provider, U.S. News will explore additional opportunities to incorporate measures of value in future editions of Best Hospitals. More
Use of robot-assisted surgery has increased dramatically since its advent in the 1980s, and nearly all surgical subspecialties have adopted it. However, whether it has advantages compared with laparoscopy or open surgery is unknown. More
Estimates vary wildly about how much Biogen’s new Alzheimer’s drug will cost Medicare — and the total will have real consequences. More
The case of Laura Baker, a brain cancer patient who was unable to get a CT scan because of her size, highlights the health care challenges very heavy people face. More
A new questionnaire funded by AbbVie conflates antidepressant side effects with bipolar disorder and isn't actually a "screening" tool. More
Two new studies analyzing hospital price transparency find that fewer than 25% of hospitals are complying with the new CMS rule. More