October 2009 - NPR Health Blog - The Network of Care

Finance Finally Gets to Yes On Health Bill

By Julie Rovner and April Fulton Many people thought this day would never come. And despite dueling studies about the impact released over the weekend, the Senate Finance Committee votes on a bill to revamp the nation's health system. The Senate Finance...

Published Tue, Oct 13 2009 5:58 AM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Health Overhaul

BPA Safer Than Contraceptives In Rat Study

By Jon Hamilton The plastic additive bisphenol A (BPA) may not be so bad after all, according to results from a new animal study funded by the federal government. (David McNew/Getty Images) Some earlier research in rodents suggested BPA, which is found...

Published Fri, Oct 30 2009 2:12 PM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Environmental health

Name Changer Is Rarely A Game Changer, Madame Speaker

By Ron Elving Down in Florida this week, visiting with seniors in a place called Sunrise, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi adopted a shiny new name for the "public option" -- the issue on which hangs the fate of the health care overhaul. She called...

Published Thu, Oct 29 2009 9:34 AM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Health Overhaul

Get Your Flu Shots, Health Pros

By Scott Hensley We've heard plenty of civilians questioning whether to get vaccinated against swine flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the answer is pretty much, "Yes, you should." For those on the fence, new data...

Published Wed, Oct 14 2009 9:17 AM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Swine Flu (H1N1)

Poisoned Harvard Scientists Say Spiked Coffee Was No Accident

By Scott Hensley Spend a little time in a biology lab, and you figure out pretty quickly nothing much gets done without using chemicals that could hurt you. But nobody bargains on someone putting poison in the office espresso machine, as apparently happened...

Published Tue, Oct 27 2009 6:15 AM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Research

Senate To Include Public Option In Health Overhaul Bill

By Scott Hensley Well, the public option just got another lease on life. Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada says the public option is back on. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) --> Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada now...

Published Mon, Oct 26 2009 1:55 PM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Health Overhaul, Insurance

House Health Bill Could Swell With Expected Amendment

By Mary Agnes Carey If the 1,190-page health bill trotted out Thursday isn't hefty enough for you, just wait a little while. There's more material on the way. House Minority Whip Roy Blunt warns there could be surprises in an amendment to the...

Published Fri, Oct 30 2009 6:44 AM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Health Overhaul, Congressional activity

Report Backs White House Claim Of $700 Billion In Wasteful Health Spending

By Christopher Weaver The notion that Americans spend $700 billion a year on health care that doesn't leave them healthier is Exhibit A in the Obama team's case that health costs can be cut without rationing. Budget director Orszag testifies at...

Published Thu, Oct 29 2009 2:01 PM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Health Overhaul, Costs

Women Who Had Mammograms Fared Better With *** Cancer

By Richard Knox The life-saving value of mammograms has been debated a lot, causing some women to question recommendations for annual exams. The white arrow points out cancer in this mammogram. (NIH via Wikimedia Commons) (The white arrow points out cancer...

Published Thu, Oct 08 2009 10:25 AM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Cancer

Family Doctors Sign Educational Deal With Coca-Cola

By Maggie Mertens When health questions crop up, the first resource for answers is often the family doctor. But if eating right is on your mind, how would you feel if the doctor's professional society is taking money from the soft-drink industry?...

Published Thu, Oct 15 2009 2:01 PM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Doctors, Public Health, Ethics

Mask Skirmish Marks New Front In Swine Flu Battle

By Richard Knox So when the swine flu hits, should the doctors and nurses at your local hospital make do with regular old surgical masks to keep the new H1N1 virus at bay or go with a beefier and more costly respirator? N-95 masks, like this one being...

Published Thu, Oct 15 2009 6:57 AM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Swine Flu (H1N1)

Maybe Fido Needs A Public Option

By Scott Hensley When it comes to our pets' health, out-of-pocket expenses have been just about the only kind until pretty recently. But now there's health insurance for your pet. For Harriet's owners, the health insurance premiums were worth...

Published Mon, Oct 19 2009 2:23 PM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Pets

Free Surgery Attracts Uninsured In Colorado

By Scott Hensley As Washington wrangles over how to expand health coverage, some folks are taking direct action to help the uninsured right now. People wait to be screened for a chance at free surgery in Pueblo, Colo. (Cameron Allen) (Cameron Allen) Read...

Published Fri, Oct 09 2009 11:53 AM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Health Overhaul, Insurance

A Rethink On Prostate and *** Cancer Screening

By Scott Hensley To screen or not to screen is becoming a hot question in cancer again. Has the push for early detection of prostate and *** cancer, in particular, been oversold? A blood test can detect a prostate cancer like this one, but can't necessarily...

Published Wed, Oct 21 2009 6:57 AM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Cancer, Public Health, Prevention

6 'Healthy' Foods You Can Probably Live Without

By Maggie Mertens When a food claims to be a "Smart Choice" or "Heart Healthy," and it's written right there on the front of the package, should you believe it? Not all the time, says the Food and Drug Administration. Should snacks...

Published Wed, Oct 21 2009 1:13 PM by NPR Blogs: NPR Health

Filed under: Nutrition

October 2009 - NPR Health Blog

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