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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.
Pay for American workers is lagging inflation — again
U.S. wage growth is lagging inflation for the first time since 2023, eroding consumers' purchasing power.
Live
3 killed in shooting at Islamic Center of San Diego, police say; 2 suspects dead
Three people were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, and two suspected shooters were found dead inside a vehicle nearby, police said.
American doctor working in Congo tests positive for Ebola
An American medical missionary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has a confirmed case of Ebola, and is being taken to Germany for treatment.
Jury unanimously dismisses Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI
California jury dismissed all charges, finding that Musk missed the three-year statute of limitations to file suit.
U.S. announces Ebola-related travel restrictions amid outbreak in Congo, Uganda
The Trump administration announced it's restricting people who don't have U.S. passports from entering the country if they have been in Congo, South Sudan or Uganda amid the Ebola outbreak.
MoneyWatch
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Pay for American workers is lagging inflation — again
U.S. wage growth is lagging inflation for the first time since 2023, eroding consumers' purchasing power.
Jury unanimously dismisses Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI
California jury dismissed all charges, finding that Musk missed the three-year statute of limitations to file suit.
NextEra Energy to acquire Dominion in a $67 billion utility deal
The combined company will serve about 10 million utility customers across Florida, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Is the answer to the housing crunch right in your own backyard?
Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs, are small, fully-functional secondary homes located on the same property as a main home, usually in the backyard, filling a vital need where housing has proved scant or expensive.
CBS News poll finds many voice frustration with Trump's economic approach
Gas prices, inflation weigh on Americans. Many see lack of clarity on what's happening in Iran.
Politics
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Trump says he's called off plans for a "scheduled attack of Iran"
President Trump said he received a request from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
U.S. announces Ebola-related travel restrictions amid outbreak in Congo, Uganda
The Trump administration announced it's restricting people who don't have U.S. passports from entering the country if they have been in Congo, South Sudan or Uganda amid the Ebola outbreak.
Cuba's leader says country poses "no threat" to U.S. after military drone report
The Trump administration has placed intense pressure on Cuba's communist leadership.
Supreme Court tells lower courts to take new look at 2 voting rights cases
At issue in the cases was who can bring lawsuits in federal court to address potential violations of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
Trump settles IRS lawsuit, sets up $1.7B fund for claims of "weaponization"
President Trump had accused the Treasury Department and IRS of unlawfully allowing a government contractor to leak his tax returns and those of his sons and company.
HealthWatch
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American doctor working in Congo tests positive for Ebola
An American medical missionary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has a confirmed case of Ebola, and is being taken to Germany for treatment.
Ebola strain in latest outbreak has no vaccine, no treatment
The virus behind the latest Ebola outbreak is the Bundibugyo virus, which is less common and there is no vaccine or treatment.
U.S. announces Ebola-related travel restrictions amid outbreak in Congo, Uganda
The Trump administration announced it's restricting people who don't have U.S. passports from entering the country if they have been in Congo, South Sudan or Uganda amid the Ebola outbreak.
Inside the "troubled teen" industry, when help sometimes does more harm
A CBS News investigation into youth residential treatment programs finds allegations of abuse, a lack of federal oversight, and families left to navigate a multibillion-dollar industry largely on their own.
Hantavirus-hit cruise ship arrives in Netherlands
The cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak has docked at the Dutch port of Rotterdam for disinfection, wrapping up a troubled journey that put world health authorities on alert.
World
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Trump says he's called off plans for a "scheduled attack of Iran"
President Trump said he received a request from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Gunman kills 6, wounds 8 in latest shooting rampage in Turkey
A man armed with a rifle carried out a string of attacks, killing at least six people and wounding eight others, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
American doctor working in Congo tests positive for Ebola
An American medical missionary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has a confirmed case of Ebola, and is being taken to Germany for treatment.
198 pounds of cocaine found hidden in Kim Kardashian brand underwear
A truck driver was sentenced to over 13 years in prison for smuggling $9.4 million worth of cocaine in a shipment of Skims, Kim Kardashian's shapewear brand.
Ebola strain in latest outbreak has no vaccine, no treatment
The virus behind the latest Ebola outbreak is the Bundibugyo virus, which is less common and there is no vaccine or treatment.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
2-time "Survivor" contestant on 50th season
Rob Cesternino, a 2-time "Survivor" castaway, talks about the upcoming "Survivor 50" finale, who he think will make the final three and who is his favorite to win the game.
Hayden Panettiere opens up in new memoir
Golden Globe-nominated actor Hayden Panettiere shares her story and opens up about life in the spotlight as a young actor, postpartum depression and her healing journey.
5/17: Sunday Morning "By Design"
Jane Pauley hosts our annual look at design. Featured: Tiny homes in your backyard; Louis Vuitton; Adobe house construction; Finland's Marimekko; domino art; Philadelphia food favorites; chandeliers; Longwood Gardens; rare maps; and director Jon Favreau of "The Mandalorian and Grogu."
"Call Her Daddy" podcast host Alex Cooper announces pregnancy
"Call Her Daddy" host Alex Cooper said on Instagram that she and husband Matt Kaplan are expecting their first child.
Director Jon Favreau on "The Mandalorian and Grogu"
Jon Favreau, creator of the "Star Wars" series "The Mandalorian," has now brought the father-son relationship of Pedro Pascal's bounty hunter and his charge "Baby Yoda" to the big screen.
Technology
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Jury unanimously dismisses Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI
California jury dismissed all charges, finding that Musk missed the three-year statute of limitations to file suit.
Jury to start deliberations in OpenAI trial
A nine-person jury will begin deliberations Monday in Elon Musk's $150 billion civil lawsuit against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Rachel Metz, artificial intelligence reporter for Bloomberg, joins with more.
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.
An adobe renaissance
For thousands of years, civilizations around the world have built houses out of earth – whether it be mud brick, wattle and dab or rammed earth. But adobe (the practice of making mudbricks) has now become today's "it" building material, from museums around the world designed using adobe, to do-it-yourselfers constructing homes from the very dirt beneath their feet. Correspondent Conor Knighton looks at the history of adobe, and how ancient adobe materials are being merged with 3-D printing techniques.
Atlanta residents report Waymo traffic jams
Atlanta residents say they're waking up to traffic jams of self-driving Waymo vehicles confused by neighborhood signage.
Science
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El Niño could bring "double whammy" of high tide flooding, NOAA warns
The upcoming El Niño could trigger frequent and widespread flooding in coastal areas around the United States, even when storms aren't actively taking place, scientists warn.
New dinosaur weighing as much as 9 elephants identified by scientists
The long-necked herbivore is the largest ever found in Southeast Asia, researchers said.
How a growing El Niño will affect 2026 hurricane season in Atlantic, Pacific
The last time an El Niño pattern occurred was in 2023, when the Eastern Pacific hurricane season produced 20 tropical systems.
NASA spacecraft to fly past Mars on voyage to rare metal asteroid
NASA's Psyche spacecraft will slingshot past Mars on Friday, on its way toward a rare metal-rich asteroid.
Emperor penguins in focus as Antarctica talks start in Japan
Greater protections for endangered emperor penguins and how to manage growing tourism are topping the agenda at talks on Antarctica in Japan.
Crime
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Crime
Police probing mosque shooting as a hate crime
At least three victims, and two suspected shooters, are dead in Monday's shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, police say. CBS News' Samantha Vinograd and Anna Schecter have the latest.
San Diego mosque shooting | Special Report
Three adults and two suspects are dead after a shooting on Monday at the Islamic Center of San Diego. "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil leads a special report.
1 suspect dead after San Diego mosque shooting
At least one of two shooters at a San Diego mosque is dead, sources say. Police say the threat is neutralized. CBS News' Anna Schecter reports.
Police: Threat neutralized at San Diego mosque
San Diego police said the threat at the Islamic Center of San Diego "has been neutralized" after officers responded to a reported active shooter on Monday. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has the latest.
Witness on San Diego Islamic Center shooting
An active shooter has been reported at the Islamic Center of San Diego. CBS affiliate KFMB reports.
Space
More Space
SpaceX launches cargo ship to International Space Station
The International Space Station-bound SpaceX Cargo Dragon is loaded with 6,500 pounds of needed equipment, research gear and crew supplies.
NASA maps show Earth's brightest and darkest regions at night
Researchers expected to find "a gradual increase in artificial light at night," but instead saw "much more nuanced patterns," NASA said.
NASA spacecraft to fly past Mars on voyage to rare metal asteroid
NASA's Psyche spacecraft will slingshot past Mars on Friday, on its way toward a rare metal-rich asteroid.
UFO files reveal astronauts saw mysterious objects and lights in 1972
NASA's Apollo 17 crew reported seeing three mysterious dots and sparks that resembled fireworks, according to new files released by the Pentagon.
Pentagon begins releasing UFO files: "It's time the American people see"
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement that the documents "have long fueled justified speculation — and it's time the American people see it for themselves."
Latest Galleries
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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
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Latest CBS News Videos
Police probing mosque shooting as a hate crime
At least three victims, and two suspected shooters, are dead in Monday's shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, police say. CBS News' Samantha Vinograd and Anna Schecter have the latest.
San Diego mosque shooting | Special Report
Three adults and two suspects are dead after a shooting on Monday at the Islamic Center of San Diego. "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil leads a special report.
1 suspect dead after San Diego mosque shooting
At least one of two shooters at a San Diego mosque is dead, sources say. Police say the threat is neutralized. CBS News' Anna Schecter reports.
Police: Threat neutralized at San Diego mosque
San Diego police said the threat at the Islamic Center of San Diego "has been neutralized" after officers responded to a reported active shooter on Monday. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has the latest.
Witness on San Diego Islamic Center shooting
An active shooter has been reported at the Islamic Center of San Diego. CBS affiliate KFMB reports.