Health Care

Bishops Stand Strong Against Birth Control Mandate

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:28:00 -0500

The White House and American Catholic bishops are at a stalemate over a rule requiring many religious organizations to provide insurance coverage for contraception. "If the argument is over religious liberty," says one scholar, "the bishops win. If the argument is over contraceptives, the administration wins."

Feds Find Wide Variation In Serious Infections Linked To Catheters

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:58:00 -0500

Patients at hospitals in Maryland, Mississippi, Louisiana, Maine and New Hampshire were most likely to get blood infections caused by central lines, new federal data show. Medicare is gearing up to penalize hospitals with high rates of infections that are caused by the institutions.

'Congress Will Act': Fight Over Birth Control Coverage Moves To The Hill

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:17:00 -0500

Some religious groups have attacked the Obama administration's plan to require most employers to provide coverage for prescription contraceptives. GOP lawmakers are now vowing to overturn the requirement; meanwhile, Democrats say they'll fight to maintain it to protect women's health.

Teen Pregnancies Hit New Low, But Disparities Remain

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:53:00 -0500

While overall rates have dropped, there is still a major gap separating white, Hispanic and black teenagers. Non-Hispanic white teen pregnancy rates fell by 50 percent from their peak; Hispanic teen pregnancy rates, 37 percent; black teen pregnancy rates, 48 percent.

A Fresh Look At Antidepressants Finds Low Risk Of Youth Suicide

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:16:00 -0500

A fresh analysis finds no increase in suicide among young people taking Prozac. The results add a wrinkle to the long-running debate over the safety of the medicines for the treatment of depressed young people.

Planned Parenthood Still In Cross Hairs

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:31:00 -0500

Two anti-abortion groups say funding irregularities have been found in various state and federal audits of Planned Parenthood. The groups urged Congress to continue an investigation of Planned Parenthood.

Controversial Komen Policy Official Resigns

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:16:00 -0500

Karen Handel, a former Republican candidate for governor in Georgia, resigned her job, effective immediately, as vice president for public policy at Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The departure comes days after the breast-cancer charity reversed course on funding for Planned Parenthood.

Where Eye Care Is A Luxury, Technology Offers Access

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:19:00 -0500

Entrepreneurs and researchers are looking for ways to bring the cost of eye care down in the developing world. One group is working on technology that turns a smartphone into an eye exam machine, while another has developed glasses with liquid lenses that change prescriptions with the help of a pump.

The 'Morning After' Pill: How It Works And Who Uses It

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:01:00 -0500

Access to emergency contraception has swirled at the center of a recent flurry of debate over insurance coverage. The most popular brand, Plan B, is a pill women can take if their birth control fails or they forget to use it. Today, about 10 percent of sexually active women say they've used Plan B.

Komen's Race To Reverse Course: Questions And A PR Challenge

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:48:00 -0500

The nation's largest breast cancer charity now says it will continue giving grants to Planned Parenthood. But public relations specialists say the Komen foundation will have a tough time rebuilding its nonpartisan reputation.

Contraception Provision Sets Off Firestorm

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0500

The Obama administration reaffirmed its position that certain religious institutions have to provide health coverage that offers free contraception. U.S. Catholic bishops are vowing to fight this rule in Congress, in courts, and in churches. Host Michel Martin speaks with Laurie Goodstein of the New York Times.

In Reversal, Komen To Continue Funding Planned Parenthood

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:35:00 -0500

Earlier this week, the foundation moved to discontinue funding of breast cancer screening by Planned Parenthood. The change came because of a new Komen policy forbidding forbidding grants to organizations under official investigation. Now that policy has been changed again.

Advocates Say Flu Vaccine Should Be Mandatory For Health Workers

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:51:00 -0500

A voluntary approach to flu vaccination of health care workers has fallen short. To protect patients, vaccination should be mandatory, consumer and business groups said in Washington. They back a requirement for annual vaccination of all health workers with only limited exemptions.

Komen Issues Apology In Planned Parenthood Flap

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:56:00 -0500

After a national backlash, the Komen for the Cure breast cancer foundation says it will continue its funding to Planned Parenthood. Earlier this week, Komen said it would cut support for affiliates of Planned Parenthood, which performs breast cancer screenings, amid an investigation by GOP lawmakers into Planned Parenthood and its funding of abortion services.

Catholic Bishops Revolt Against Birth Control Rules

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:00:00 -0500

There's a battle going on between U.S. Catholic bishops and the Obama administration over its recent directive requiring religious institutions to offer coverage for contraception in their health care plans. Some have announced they will not comply with the mandate. Others are calling on parishioners to "defend the faith" and speak out against what they call an intrusion against religious liberty.

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