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Health Inc. : Shots - Health News As spending on care rises, the business of health keeps getting more important. We feature news on and analysis of drugmakers, health insurers, hospitals, doctors and others in the business of providing health care.
Shots - Health News

Shots

Health News From NPR

Health Inc.

Wednesday

Life After Ice Buckets: ALS Group Faces $94 Million Challenge

Bill Gates, Martha Stewart, LeBron James, Lindsay Lohan, Kermit the Frog and Conan O'Brien all got icily drenched for charity. via YouTube hide caption

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via YouTube

Health Inc.

Life After Ice Buckets: ALS Group Faces $94 Million Challenge

The ALS Association has raised more than $94 million in recent weeks via its online ice bucket challenge — compared with $2.7 million this time last year. Now what?

Life After Ice Buckets: ALS Group Faces $94 Million Challenge

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Hello, May I Help You Plan Your Final Months?

From her cubicle at Vital Decisions in Cherry Hill, N.J., Kate Schleicher counsels people who are seriously ill. Emma Lee/WHYY hide caption

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Emma Lee/WHYY

Health Inc.

Hello, May I Help You Plan Your Final Months?

WHYY

The company Vital Decisions hires social workers to help people make end-of-life plans in advance, over the phone. But the counselors are paid by insurers. Critics see a conflict of interest.

Hello, May I Help You Plan Your Final Months?

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Build A Toothbrush, Change The World. Or Not

The MD Brush has an unusual grip that automatically angles the brush head at 45 degrees. Meredith Rizzo/NPR hide caption

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Meredith Rizzo/NPR

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Build A Toothbrush, Change The World. Or Not

You think bringing a new toothbrush to market is easy? The seven-year saga of two dental entrepreneurs struggling to bring their patented brush to consumers suggests otherwise.

Build A Toothbrush, Change The World. Or Not

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Thursday

Would A Prize Help Speed Development Of Ebola Treatments?

Dr. Bruce Ribner, medical director of Emory University Hospital's infectious disease unit, embraces Dr. Kent Brantly (left) who was treated with an experimental Ebola medicine and released from the Atlanta hospital Thursday. John Bazemore/AP hide caption

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John Bazemore/AP

Health Inc.

Would A Prize Help Speed Development Of Ebola Treatments?

Even though the current outbreak in West Africa has become the largest ever, Ebola isn't the most attractive business proposition for drugmakers. The right financial incentives might change that.

Tuesday

Cardiologist Speaks From The Heart About America's Medical System

Health Inc.

Cardiologist Speaks From The Heart About America's Medical System

Fresh Air

In his new memoir, Doctored, Sandeep Jauhar describes a growing discontent among doctors and how it's affecting patients. He says rushed doctors are often practicing "defensive medicine."

Cardiologist Speaks From The Heart About America's Medical System

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Pittsburgh Health Care Giants Take Fight To Each Other's Turf

The headquarters for University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield dominate the Pittsburgh skyline much as they organizations have dominated health care in the region for decades. Jeff Brady/NPR hide caption

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Jeff Brady/NPR

Health Inc.

Pittsburgh Health Care Giants Take Fight To Each Other's Turf

Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center worked together for decades. But tensions have prompted a split and uncertainty in Pittsburgh's health care market.

Pittsburgh Health Care Giants Take Fight To Each Other's Turf

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Wednesday

Tuesday

Colorado Case Puts Workplace Drug Policies To The Test

Workplace drug testing for marijuana may need updating in light of changing laws, a case before the Colorado Supreme Court suggests. Kai-Huei Yau/MCT/Landov hide caption

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Kai-Huei Yau/MCT/Landov

Health Inc.

Colorado Case Puts Workplace Drug Policies To The Test

The urine test employers typically use to detect marijuana picks up cannabis smoked or swallowed days or weeks earlier. Should firms be allowed to fire workers who legally use marijuana at home?

Colorado Case Puts Workplace Drug Policies To The Test

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Monday

Sunday

Two Doctors Weigh Whether To Accept Obamacare Plans

Doctors say they need to accept patients with a variety of types of insurance in order for them to stay in businesses. iStockphoto hide caption

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iStockphoto

Health Inc.

Two Doctors Weigh Whether To Accept Obamacare Plans

WNPR

Fears of a medical system that favors the wealthy grow as some doctors reject Affordable Care Act insurance. Insurers need to balance the need to offer consumers low rates and paying doctors enough.

Two Doctors Weigh Whether To Accept Obamacare Plans

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Wednesday

California Nurses Union Braces For Contract Battle

Members of the California Nurses Association say they rallied in Sacramento in May to raise public awareness of their concerns about patient care in California hospitals. April Dembosky/KQED hide caption

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April Dembosky/KQED

Health Inc.

California Nurses Union Braces For Contract Battle

KQED

The largest union of nurses in California starts contract negotiations Thursday with Kaiser Permanente's hospitals. Talks went smoothly four years ago, but this round will likely be more contentious.

California Nurses Union Braces For Contract Battle

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Tuesday

Monday

Pharmaceutical Companies Accuse Hospitals Of Misusing Discounts

David Chance recuperates at Oregon Health and Science University. Kristian Foden-Vencil/Oregon Public Broadcasting hide caption

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Kristian Foden-Vencil/Oregon Public Broadcasting

Health Inc.

Pharmaceutical Companies Accuse Hospitals Of Misusing Discounts

OPB

Drugmakers offer medicines at a bargain price to hospitals that treat large numbers of poor patients. Hospitals sometimes resell the drugs at full price and make hefty profits.

Pharmaceutical Companies Accuse Hospitals Of Misusing Discounts

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Friday

Monday

Power To The Health Data Geeks

Dave Vockell, CEO of the software company Lyfechannel, takes first place — and wins $20,000 — in the Code-a-Palooza Challenge at Health Datapalooza 2014. David Hathcox/David Hathcox for Health Data Consortium hide caption

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David Hathcox/David Hathcox for Health Data Consortium

Health Inc.

Power To The Health Data Geeks

There's a gold rush on in health information technology. Entrepreneurs and venture capitalists are betting on companies that aim to help consumers, insurers and providers save money.

Power To The Health Data Geeks

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