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Medical Price Roulette
Man relieved of $1.7 mllion debt relief
An update on the story of Alexis Hernandez, who fought to survive after an explosion only to be hit with a $1.7 million medical debt for his treatment at a burn center in Brooke Army Medical center. While his debt was finally waived after the story and urgings of legislators, others with similar stories still face their huge medical bills. Anna Werner reports
COVID long-haulers may face financial hurdles
Some long-haulers suffering from long-term coronavirus symptoms are now facing financial challenges as well. Anna Werner spoke with several people who faced challenges getting disability and health care coverage.
Some Cologuard users hit with unexpected high bills after cancer test
"I am mad because I pay so much every month for this insurance," on Cologuard user told CBS News. "I just feel like I'm really getting raked over."
Man billed $1.7 million by government for life-saving burn treatment
"I never expected, never in my life to live through something like this," Alexis Hernandez told CBS News' Anna Werner.
Company pauses plan to send 9,000 back to office after pushback
Epic Systems, a medical records software company, "is going to have to adhere by the same rules as everyone else," a local official said.
COVID-19 tests should be free, but these people still got big bills
People returning to their jobs could wind up having to pay for COVID-19 tests, experts warn.
His coronavirus test wasn't processed, but he got billed $9,000
Congress passed a law making coronavirus tests free, but all costs may not be covered by all insurers.
Alabama couple struggling after hospital sues over medical debt
KC and Daryl Roberts were paying what they could each month toward the more than $30,000 hospital bill.
Woman fighting with insurance for follow-up breast cancer tests
Mammograms can save lives, but in some cases, insurance companies are refusing to cover follow-up tests ordered by doctors.
Women shocked by "hidden" cost of mammograms
Health insurance covers mammograms every one to two years, but many women often need secondary tests that aren't covered
Man drives five hours for surgery insurance won't cover
Around the country, middle-class Americans with high-deductible insurance plans are heading to dozens of cash-based surgery centers
Regulators want to change law after CBS News report
"After hearing about — and resolving — a recent issue, we know that if it could happen to one consumer, it could happen to others"
Even with insurance, woman hit with $40,000 in medical bills
When Molly McKenna went to a clinic in agonizing pain, doctors told her it was an emergency. Only later did she learn much of her treatment was out-of-network
How to find out health care costs in advance
How much will that cost? Why did that cost so much? Always ask. Take notes, take names, take numbers
Man hit with $650,000 in medical bills finally gets relief
Frank Esposito was hit with $650,000 in medical bills after his insurance company said his surgery didn't qualify as an emergency
Medical bills jump from $220 to $4,000 a month – for treatment her life depends on
"I was like, how is this even possible?" one patient said of the unpredictable charges
She needed two rounds of ultrasound exams. Why did one cost 10 times more?
Medical prices vary greatly, even within the same city. "It's either unethical or dishonest," said one patient hit with a surprise bill
Ways to save on health care costs
ClearHealthCosts offers some practical tips to help you beat back your health care costs
How to read a medical bill or explanation of benefits
An insurance company's "explanation of benefits" often confuses matters more
Back surgery saved him from paralysis. Then the bills arrived: over $650,000
Frank Esposito, a tool and die maker from Long Island, New York, drained $49,000 from his retirement account and still owes over $220,000
Appealing a claim denial, or how to turn "no" into "yes"
If your insurance company denied a treatment or a medication in advance, and you want help, here's where to start
10 steps for appealing a claim or bill
So you got a huge bill, and you're sure there's been a mistake. Here's a step-by-step course of action
CBS News investigates lack of transparency in health care prices
"Nothing about the United States' health care system really makes sense," one doctor said
Health
Baby formula supplies dwindle amid widening shortage
FDA working to boost formula supplies, with more than half of popular products out of stock in some U.S. states.
Omicron surge adds complications to U.S. economy
The spread of the Omicron variant is causing an additional complication to the U.S. economy, which is already struggling with high inflation and a supply chain crisis. And data shows nearly 9 million Americans were out of work in January because they were caring for someone with COVID-19 or being ill with the virus themselves. Joshua Hausman, associate professor of public policy and economics at the University Of Michigan and research associate at the National Bureau Of Economic Research, joins CBSN's Lana Zak with more.
FDA works to approve vaccines for kids under 5
The White House is now working to provide Americans with free N95 masks and at-home COVID-19 test kits. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration is reviewing the vaccines for kids under the age of 5. Emergency medicine physician Dr. Owais Durrani joins CBSN's Lana Zak to discuss the latest efforts to combat the virus.
Kids' COVID-19 hospitalizations on the rise
COVID-19 hospitalizations for children are climbing, with an average of more than 900 kids admitted a day. CBS News' Michael George reports, then Dr. Gigi Chawla, chief of pediatrics at Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota, joins CBSN to discuss the latest.
COVID-19 infections rising in kids
CBS News correspondent Carter Evans reports on a rise in pediatric COVID-19 cases in communities like Kansas City, Missouri. Then Dr. Bob Lahita, director of the Institute for Autoimmune and Rheumatic Diseases at St. Joseph Health and a professor of medicine at New York Medical College, joins CBSN to discuss the latest on COVID-19.
COVID vaccines don't affect fertility, study finds
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 does not reduce the chances of getting pregnant, new research shows. Meanwhile, as the Omicron variant continues to strain hospitals, military troops are deploying to help. CBS News' Bradley Blackburn has more on the pandemic response.
Omicron batters states with low vaccination rates
Thursday marks two years since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in the U.S. CBS News' Bradley Blackburn has more on how the virus is impacting states with low vaccination rates, and the battle over masks in schools. Then, emergency medicine physician Dr. Anand Swaminathan joins CBSN's Lana Zak to discuss the latest.
U.S. debuts site for free at-home COVID tests
Some hospitals are overwhelmed, facing an influx of COVID-19 patients. Meanwhile, Pfizer says that its oral pill is showing efficacy against Omicron in lab tests. Dr. Jen Caudle joins CBSN to break down some of the latest coronavirus headlines.
Omicron continues to overwhelm U.S. hospitals
The Biden administration is planning to give out 400 million free N95 masks to Americans in the coming weeks as the coronavirus surge tightens its grip on hospitals in hard-hit areas of the country. CBS News correspondent Carter Evans reports from Missouri, where COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising among the unvaccinated. Then, Dr. Payal Patel, an infectious disease physician at the University of Michigan Medical School, joins CBSN's Lana Zak to discuss the latest.
North Carolina hospitals overwhelmed
COVID-19 infections are continuing to surge in parts of the U.S. In North Carolina, recent data shows one in three people tested positive for the virus. And some local hospitals are struggling to keep up. CBS News national correspondent Manuel Bojorquez reports from Charlotte.
U.S.
More U.S.
Son of former Red Sox star George Scott accused of killing 8-year-old son
The father is also a person of interest in the disappearance of the mother, who was last seen in 2019, authorities said.
2 dead after plane crash in Mississippi
Tupelo Fire Department Sergeant Michael Moody confirmed the deaths to CBS News.
Art museum in Chicago gives veterans a place to heal
The National Veterans' Art Museum offers a space for those who served to share their stories, talent and trauma.
Lifeguard shortage may force half of public pools to close or limit hours
A shortage of lifeguards is threatening all kinds of summer fun.
Suspect captured in fatal shooting of West Virginia officer
The shooting happened in the same county where a sheriff was shot to death in 2013.
MoneyWatch
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Biden signs debt ceiling bill that pulls U.S. back from brink of default
With just two days to spare, President Joe Biden has signed legislation that lifts the nation's debt ceiling.
AI eliminated nearly 4,000 jobs last month, report says
A report of U.S. job cuts showed roughly 5% of job losses in May were due to AI technology.
Another major insurer is halting new policy sales in California
Allstate and others say thousands of natural disasters in recent years have made the state too expensive to cover.
Judge bans AI-generated filings — unless they get human oversight
AI has a place in the profession, but is currently limited in its capabilities, a Texas judge said.
Netflix shareholders vote to reject executives' pay packages
The symbolic vote on executives' multi-million dollar pay packages comes amid an ongoing writer's strike.
Politics
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Biden signs debt ceiling bill that pulls U.S. back from brink of default
With just two days to spare, President Joe Biden has signed legislation that lifts the nation's debt ceiling.
Trump lawyers told DOJ they couldn't find classified doc discussed in audio
The recording — from a July 2021 meeting at Trump's golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey — is a crucial piece of evidence that prosecutors obtained in recent months.
RNC sets first GOP primary debate for Aug. 23
The Republican National Committee also set the rules for the first GOP primary debate of the 2024 presidential cycle.
VP Harris to be a "leading voice" on gun violence heading into 2024
The Biden-Harris campaign plans to make addressing gun violence a key focus of President Biden's reelection effort.
CIA chief secretly met with Chinese counterpart in Beijing last month
CIA Director William Burns traveled secretly to Beijing last month, becoming the most senior U.S. official to visit China since the U.S. shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon.
HealthWatch
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Makers of toxic "forever chemicals" lied about safety, study claims
Companies hid evidence of PFAS' link to dead dogs, enlarged livers and birth defects, according to researchers.
Sweden close to becoming first "smoke free" country in Europe
Sweden, which has the lowest rate of smoking in the Europe Union, is close to declaring itself "smoke free."
Winter saw "large spike" in very rare pediatric brain infections, CDC reports
At least 102 were hospitalized in December, nearly double an earlier peak.
Canada is putting warning labels on each cigarette: "Poison in every puff"
The warnings - in English and French - include "poison in every puff," "tobacco smoke harms children" and "cigarettes cause impotence."
Fewer babies born in 2022, and teen births decline, CDC reports
The decline in births is "a very small difference" from the year before.
World
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Political clashes in Senegal leaves 15 dead
Rights groups have condemned the government crackdown, which has included arbitrary arrests and restrictions on social media.
3 Israeli soldiers killed in gun battle at Egyptian border
It was the first deadly exchange of fire along the Israel-Egypt border in over a decade.
Nearly 300 killed in one of India's deadliest train accidents
Footage from the accident site showed bodies lined up on tracks and the injured being shifted to hospitals while rescuers desperately looked through the overturned and jumbled metal train compartments.
At least 288 killed, 850 injured in India train derailment
Images broadcast on local stations showed smashed train compartments torn open with blood-stained holes of twisted metal, and scores of passengers lying beside the tracks.
CIA chief secretly met with Chinese counterpart in Beijing last month
CIA Director William Burns traveled secretly to Beijing last month, becoming the most senior U.S. official to visit China since the U.S. shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
The Heavy performs "I Feel the Love"
British band "The Heavy" is known for their unique blend of blues, gospel and soul music. Their work has been featured in countless TV shows, movies and video games, and now they're out with their sixth studio album. Here is The Heavy with "I Feel the Love."
The Heavy performs "Hurricane Coming"
British band "The Heavy" is known for their unique blend of blues, gospel and soul music. Their work has been featured in countless TV shows, movies and video games, and now they're out with their sixth studio album. Here is The Heavy with "Hurricane Coming."
The Heavy performs "Feels Like Rain"
British band "The Heavy" is known for their unique blend of blues, gospel and soul music. Their work has been featured in countless TV shows, movies and video games, and now they're out with their sixth studio album. Here is The Heavy with "Feels Like Rain."
Jacky Oh, Wild 'N Out cast member, dead at 32
The star of the improv show and longtime partner of DC Young Fly reportedly died in Miami on Wednesday.
Padma Lakshmi to leave "Top Chef" after 17 years
Padma Lakshmi joined the popular cooking show as a host in 2006.
Technology
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Technology
What jobs are safe from AI?
Artificial intelligence will likely remake the workplace. A recent analysis from Goldman Sachs looked at the global impact, and found that AI could replace 300 million full-time jobs. Futurist Martin Ford joined CBS News to discuss the jobs he believes AI likely won't take, and what you can do if you're concerned your job may be replaced.
How to protect your home security camera from hackers
It's important to practice good "cyber hygiene" to prevent hackers, and even employees, from accessing sensitive information.
Money stored on apps like PayPal could be at risk, feds warn
Financial watchdog urges consumers who keep funds with a digital app to transfer the money to an insured bank account.
"The ChatGPT Revolution" explored in CBS doc
In a new documentary, CBS Reports explores the unleashing of artificial intelligence, a rapidly evolving technology. Entrepreneur João Santos, who created AIsthetic, an apparel company using CHatGPT as the CEO, joins CBS News.
Meta threatens news ban in California over bill to support journalism
Owner of Facebook and Instagram could bar users in the state from sharing news over bill requiring tech companies to pay news publishers.
Science
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Multiple rare sightings of wolverine in California confirmed
In the last century, only two wolverines were spotted in California.
Phoenix limits construction amid water crisis
Arizona is limiting new construction around Phoenix as the state's water supply continues to dwindle. State officials say there isn't enough groundwater for housing construction that's already been approved. CBS News senior national and environmental correspondent Ben Tracy has more.
South Dakota zoo welcomes litter of "critically endangered" red wolves
A litter of six red wolf pups, a highly endangered species of which there are only about two dozen in the wild, was born at the Great Plains Zoo in South Dakota on Thursday.
Atlantic hurricane season officially begins
The Atlantic hurricane season has officially begun and forecasters are already watching some activity in the Gulf. CBS News senior weather and climate producer David Parkinson joins with a preview of the season, and national correspondent Manuel Bojorquez investigates Florida's flood insurance crisis.
Trucker detained after a "weird" potato spill on a key Denmark bridge
Officials say it "looks weird," and could have been an accident - or a protest over new environmental restrictions on diesel trucks hauling heavy loads.
Crime
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Suspect captured in fatal shooting of West Virginia officer
The shooting happened in the same county where a sheriff was shot to death in 2013.
At least 3 killed in stabbing, carjacking rampage in California cities
A man killed at least three people during a violent rampage in the Northern California cities of Milpitas and San Jose, police said.
"Dangerous" inmate on the run after escaping Missouri jail; 6 others caught
Seven inmates escaped, but most were recaptured within hours. The remaining escapee should be considered "armed and dangerous," police said.
Man arrested for aiming gun at woman's head after friend used his driveway
The driver said he pulled into the driveway to reposition his vehicle when the homeowner banged on his rear window with a gun.
Wanted woman poisons her lookalike with cheesecake to steal her identity
Viktoria Nasyrova was suspected of murder in Russia. This photo of her in sunglasses gave away her hiding place in New York.
Space
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Space
Livestream captures images of Mars
In a first of its kind event, the European Space Agency on Friday livestreamed images of Mars in what it called an opportunity "to get as close as it's currently possible" to the Red Planet.
A strawberry moon will take the night sky this weekend. Here's how to see it.
Around the world, people can catch a sweet treat in the night sky this weekend.
For first time ever, a near livestream of Mars
Up until Friday, all images seen of the planet were technically of its past.
Boeing again delays first piloted test flight of Starliner crew ferry ship
A new launch target was not announced, but Boeing officials said a flight this year is still feasible. In theory.
Webb telescope discovers traces of water in atmosphere of exoplanet
Scientists first made a brightness map of the exoplanet, then a temperature map of the atmosphere.
Latest Galleries
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Summer music heats up 2023
Live performances are in full swing this summer. Scroll through our concert gallery, featuring pictures by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.
N.J. woman survives a home invasion, brutal stabbing by a young stranger
Despite losing three quarters of the blood in her body, Donna Ongsiako was able to help police find the person who almost took her life.
Notable Deaths in 2023
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
How investigators solved murder of missing Florida woman
Vero Beach Police investigators focused on cellphone tower pings and surveillance footage cameras to catch a man who murdered his former girlfriend.
Lamar Johnson's 28-year fight for freedom
Lamar Johnson was convicted of Markus Boyd's murder in 1995. He always insisted he was innocent, but it would take almost three decades for a court to agree.
Latest Videos
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Latest Videos
The ChatGPT Revolution | CBS Reports
The artificial intelligence revolution has arrived. AI tools such as ChatGPT offer the power to transform fields like business, art, medical research and more. But this technology also brings ethical uncertainty and peril. CBS Reports explores the unleashing of this still rapidly evolving creation and some of the possible dangers.
The Dish: Pasta
Calling all pasta lovers for a full tasting of Chef Missy Robbins' fresh pasta dishes in New York. Then we head to Italy for a classic tortellini in broth creation, and so much more.
The Heavy performs "I Feel the Love"
British band "The Heavy" is known for their unique blend of blues, gospel and soul music. Their work has been featured in countless TV shows, movies and video games, and now they're out with their sixth studio album. Here is The Heavy with "I Feel the Love."
The Heavy performs "Hurricane Coming"
British band "The Heavy" is known for their unique blend of blues, gospel and soul music. Their work has been featured in countless TV shows, movies and video games, and now they're out with their sixth studio album. Here is The Heavy with "Hurricane Coming."
Niki Segnit researches flavor combinations
Niki Segnit has spent years researching perfect flavor combinations. She released the best-selling flavor thesaurus in 2010, and her follow-up work, “The Flavor Thesaurus: More Flavors” is out this month. Charlie D’Agata visited her London kitchen for a taste.