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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.
Judge dismisses Trump suit against Wall Street Journal over Epstein letter
A federal judge in Miami handed President Trump a defeat in his defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal over a story about a birthday book for Jeffrey Epstein.
Congress returns with Iran war, DHS shutdown, expulsion votes on agenda
Lawmakers are returning to Washington to face major developments in the war with Iran, a lingering DHS shutdown and possible expulsion votes for some of their own members.
Roblox introduces age-based accounts amid child safety concerns
The California-based company said it will assign users ages 5 to 8 to a Roblox Kids account and users ages 9 to 15 to a separate account called Roblox Select.
U.S. stocks sink, oil prices rise amid Trump's blockade plan
Global oil prices jumped over $100 a barrel as investors fret over Trump's threat to launch a partial naval blockade of the vital trade route.
Exclusive
Lynette Hooker told friend in 2024 text: "I can't be out there with him"
Two years before her disappearance, Lynette Hooker temporarily split with her husband Brian, telling a friend, "Our marriage lasted 6 weeks cruising," and "It was bad. I can't be out there with him."
MoneyWatch
More MoneyWatch
Roblox introduces age-based accounts amid child safety concerns
The California-based company said it will assign users ages 5 to 8 to a Roblox Kids account and users ages 9 to 15 to a separate account called Roblox Select.
U.S. stocks sink, oil prices rise amid Trump's blockade plan
Global oil prices jumped over $100 a barrel as investors fret over Trump's threat to launch a partial naval blockade of the vital trade route.
Nationwide boom in AI data centers stirs resistance
To fuel their artificial intelligence initiatives, tech companies are building massive numbers of AI data centers, with more than 4,000 in operation across the country. But some communities, wary of the environmental and financial implications, are fighting back.
Fighting for health care claim approvals
Seventy-three percent of Americans say delays and denials of medical treatment by healthcare insurers are a major problem. Now, a company called Sheer Health says they will fight insurance battles on behalf of their clients.
Chinese electric vehicles pull into the lead
China's long-term investments in innovation are paying off in electric vehicles. Last year, the Chinese car company BYD overtook Tesla as the world's top seller of EVs, despite the U.S. market being virtually closed to them.
Politics
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Judge dismisses Trump suit against Wall Street Journal over Epstein letter
A federal judge in Miami handed President Trump a defeat in his defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal over a story about a birthday book for Jeffrey Epstein.
Pakistan pushing for Round 2 of "Islamabad Process" after failed Iran talks
A senior Pakistani government source told CBS News that Islamabad is in active contact with Washington and Tehran to bring them back to the negotiating table over the Iran war.
Congress returns with Iran war, DHS shutdown, expulsion votes on agenda
Lawmakers are returning to Washington to face major developments in the war with Iran, a lingering DHS shutdown and possible expulsion votes for some of their own members.
ICE detaining fewer non-criminals, driving a decline in detention population
The average daily ICE detention population declined by 12% from January to March, as a shakeup in DHS leadership suggests a potential shift in enforcement strategy.
Pennsylvania town faces fallout from Trump's environmental rule rollback
The Trump administration is ratcheting up attacks on environmental protections that Make America Healthy Again followers hold dear.
HealthWatch
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Pennsylvania town faces fallout from Trump's environmental rule rollback
The Trump administration is ratcheting up attacks on environmental protections that Make America Healthy Again followers hold dear.
Fighting for health care claim approvals
Seventy-three percent of Americans say delays and denials of medical treatment by healthcare insurers are a major problem. Now, a company called Sheer Health says they will fight insurance battles on behalf of their clients.
A teen athlete's headache wouldn't stop. It took a year to find a cure.
Jack Alston was used to migraines, but after two concussions in middle school, he was stuck with a headache that wouldn't go away.
Medicaid work rules will stress states' staffing capacity
Some states already don't have enough staff to quickly process Medicaid applications and answer enrollees' phone calls. Researchers say they may not be prepared to handle new Medicaid work rules, predicting people will lose coverage as a result.
Exclusive
2 more drug companies to officially launch on TrumpRx
Two more drug-making giants, Abbvie and Genentech, will start selling popular medications on the White House's discounted pharmaceutical site as soon as Monday.
World
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Pakistan pushing for Round 2 of "Islamabad Process" after failed Iran talks
A senior Pakistani government source told CBS News that Islamabad is in active contact with Washington and Tehran to bring them back to the negotiating table over the Iran war.
Premier League soccer player killed in attack on team bus in Ghana
Dominic Frimpong was killed after the team's bus was attacked by a group of suspected armed robbers, officials said Monday.
Pope says he has "no fear of the Trump administration" after president lashes out
Pope Leo has repeatedly warned that violence is becoming normalized and that religious language is at risk of being misused to justify it.
Live
U.S. imposes military blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz
The price of U.S. crude rose to $104.24 a barrel following the blockade announcement and Brent crude oil, the international standard, rose to $102.29.
Trump calls Pope Leo "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy"
Pope Leo has been critical of the war in Iran and other priorities of the Trump administration, but says his comments are "not meant as attacks on anyone."
Entertainment
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Britney Spears voluntarily checks into rehab after California DUI arrest in March
Pop star Britney Spears has voluntarily checked into rehab following her DUI arrest in Ventura County in March, a representative for the singer told CBS LA.
4/12: Sunday Morning - The Money Issue
Jane Pauley hosts our annual "Money Issue." Featured: Obstacles to home ownership; fighting health insurance denials; Chinese EVs; opposition to AI data centers; American Girl dolls; skin care mogul Scarlett Johansson; roller coasters; the popularity of bingo!; and is your phone eavesdropping on you?
American Girl: Celebrating girl power
Founded in 1986, American Girl has created dolls, books and accessories that tell the stories of young girls in every American era. On the toy's 40th anniversary, correspondent Faith Salie explores how making history come alive is also creating timeless bonds between generations that celebrate girlhood.
Scarlett Johansson on becoming a skin care mogul
The actress has played many roles in her career – and now, the Tony-winner and two-time Oscar-nominee has taken on another: launching her new line of products, called The Outset, designed for people with sensitive skin (like hers).
Extended interview: Scarlett Johansson
In this web exclusive, actress Scarlett Johansson talks about how dealing with her sensitive skin for years led to her founding a new line of skin care products, The Outset. She also discusses her life-changing roles, and the impact of artificial intelligence.
Technology
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Technology
New warning over AI
Former AI company founder and CEO Matt Shumer joins "CBS Mornings" to break down Anthropic's report about one of its AI models, Claude Mythos Preview. In the report, the company warned the program was "too powerful" to be released to the public and it worried about the program, which is designed to find security flaws in software, falling into the "wrong hands."
Sam Altman voices safety concerns
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, shared a personal blog post and photo of his family saying, "In the hopes that it might dissuade the next person from throwing a Molotov cocktail at our house, no matter what they think of me," following an attack outside his home last week. Altman suggested the incident was connected to the broader debate over AI, saying, "we should deescalate the rhetoric and tactics."
How AI powered robots are helping small farms
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
Nationwide boom in AI data centers stirs resistance
To fuel their artificial intelligence initiatives, tech companies are building massive numbers of AI data centers, with more than 4,000 in operation across the country. But some communities, wary of the environmental and financial implications, are fighting back.
Extended interview: Sen. Dave McCormick on AI
In this web exclusive, Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) talks with Robert Costa about how energy and the rise in artificial intelligence go hand-in-hand; America's rivalry with China over AI; and nuclear power.
Science
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First major forecast for 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is released
Colorado State University has released its annual Atlantic hurricane forecast, predicting 13 named storms and six hurricanes may develop during the 2026 season.
Creature thought to be world's oldest octopus isn't an octopus after all
Scientists have found evidence that a 300-million-year-old sea creature previously thought to be the world's oldest octopus is actually a nautilus relative.
March smashed heat records in several ways, federal data shows
Last month was the hottest March on record for the Lower 48 states, by the most for any month ever, federal data shows. And a forecast El Niño could heat Earth even more.
Emperor penguins listed as endangered species
The emperor penguin has been declared an endangered species as climate change pushes the icon of Antarctica a step closer to extinction, the global authority on threatened wildlife says.
Stunning photos from Artemis II show Earth, moon, eclipse from space
The astronauts aboard Artemis II are the first humans to see some parts of the far side of the moon with the naked eye.
Crime
More Crime
Crime
Lynette Hooker texts to friend about husband
Lynette Hooker's text messages to a friend in 2024, following her split with husband Brian Hooker, are emerging as questions linger about her disappearance in the Bahamas. CBS News' Cristian Benavides reports.
Premier League soccer player killed in attack on team bus in Ghana
Dominic Frimpong was killed after the team's bus was attacked by a group of suspected armed robbers, officials said Monday.
Remains of missing woman discovered in hidden grave decades later
Kimberly Langwell, a mom in Beaumont, Texas, had dinner plans with her teenage daughter and boyfriend on July 9, 1999 – but she never came home from work. It would take more than 20 years before one man's long-kept secret would expose her killer.
Authorities seize 5 tons of cocaine from banana, wine shipments
The drugs were seized at London Gateway, a deep-sea container port about 30 miles from London.
Latest on woman missing in the Bahamas
Lynette Hooker was reported missing in the Bahamas one week ago by her husband, Brian, who said she fell off their boat. Hooker was arrested on Thursday in connection to his wife's disappearance. "CBS Saturday Morning" speaks with people who knew the couple to learn more.
Space
More Space
Artemis II astronauts welcomed home to Houston after historic moonshot
The Artemis II astronauts flew back to the Johnson Space Center in Houston Saturday to cheers and applause from family members and hundreds of NASA workers.
9 highlights from Artemis II's epic journey around the moon
The Artemis II crew's nine-day moon mission set a record for the farthest any human has ever traveled from Earth. Here's a look at the key moments.
Artemis II crew splashes down to end historic moon mission
NASA's Artemis II astronauts returned to Earth with a splashdown landing in the Pacific Ocean after making a high-speed reentry through the atmosphere.
How an 8-year-old designed a zero-gravity indicator for Artemis II
The development of the mission mascot and viral sensation Rise began over a year before Artemis II blasted off.
As Artemis II heads back to Earth, crew stakes their lives on the heat shield
Despite problems during the unpiloted Artemis I reentry, the Artemis II crew is confident their heat shield will protect them during a fiery descent to Earth.
Latest Galleries
More Latest Galleries
Notable Deaths in 2026
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Evidence in the Barbara Kendhammer case
Does the evidence show a cover-up, or was Todd Kendhammer wrongfully convicted for the murder of his wife?
The life & near death of prizefighter Christy Salters-Martin
Christy Salters-Martin dominated in the boxing ring but faced her toughest challenger at home.
Timeline: The disappearance of George Smith
Family seeks answers in death of newlywed who disappeared in 2005 while on Mediterranean honeymoon cruise.
Who is Alix Tichelman?
Meet the tattooed beauty charged in the death of Google executive Forrest Hayes.
Latest CBS News Videos
More Latest CBS News Videos
Latest CBS News Videos
New warning over AI
Former AI company founder and CEO Matt Shumer joins "CBS Mornings" to break down Anthropic's report about one of its AI models, Claude Mythos Preview. In the report, the company warned the program was "too powerful" to be released to the public and it worried about the program, which is designed to find security flaws in software, falling into the "wrong hands."
Lynette Hooker texts to friend about husband
Lynette Hooker's text messages to a friend in 2024, following her split with husband Brian Hooker, are emerging as questions linger about her disappearance in the Bahamas. CBS News' Cristian Benavides reports.
Rise in online gambling among kids and teens
A recent survey shows 36% of boys between the ages of 11 and 17 have gambled in the past year. Among 17-year-old boys, it rises to 49%. Psychiatrist Dr. Sue Varma explains how parents can approach the topic with their kids.
New poll on Trump's handling of the economy
A recent CBS News poll shows Americans are reacting negatively to the U.S. economy and how President Trump is handling certain key issues. Political strategists Hyma Moore and Kevin Sheridan join CBS News with their take on the data.
Latest on Iran war after peace talks fail
Vice President JD Vance announced that the U.S. and Iran did not reach a deal during talks in Pakistan over the weekend. This comes as President Trump calls for a blockade at the Strait of Hormuz. CBS News' Weijia Jiang reports.