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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.
Ross Fire 100% contained after more than 3 weeks
The wildfire, which has torn through Palo Pinto and Jack counties, forced evacuations, closed roads and disrupted schools.
NASA spacecraft discovers moon crater bigger than Roman Colosseum
Scientists have discovered a crater on the moon that's bigger than the Roman Colosseum, the result of a powerful impact two years ago.
Virginia fines a Microsoft data center for emissions violations
As part of the settlement with Microsoft, the tech giant has agreed to invest $2.4 million toward an environmental project underway in Loudoun County.
AI doesn't have rights or feelings, Microsoft's AI chief says
Microsoft's Mustafa Suleyman said in an essay that trying to develop AI consciousness would be "catastrophic" for humanity.
Senate Democrats meet with El-Sayed, rallying around Michigan nominee
Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed met with Senate Democrats as they look to rally around his candidacy in the final sprint to November's election.
MoneyWatch
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AI doesn't have rights or feelings, Microsoft's AI chief says
Microsoft's Mustafa Suleyman said in an essay that trying to develop AI consciousness would be "catastrophic" for humanity.
Federal Reserve raises interest rates for the first time since 2023
The Fed increased its benchmark rate by 0.25 percentage points to battle resurgent inflation driven by soaring energy prices.
Amazon raises starting pay to $20 an hour and adds Whole Foods perks
Amazon said it is increasing its minimum pay for operations workers by $1 an hour and adding grocery discounts for all U.S. employees.
Own a car? You're getting socked by higher prices, and not only for gas
Car ownership costs have soared 50% since 2020, according to new economic data. Here's where motorists are getting dinged.
OpenAI backs measure that would require independent audits of AI models
Top OpenAI executive endorses plan that would require AI companies to submit their technology to third-party reviews to assess their safety.
Politics
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House passes bill to shield Americans from data center energy costs
The vote comes as lawmakers face increasing pressure to respond to the data center boom driven by the AI race.
House passes Russia sanctions bill, overcoming Democratic opposition
The bill was championed by GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, who suddenly died after announcing a deal had been reached with the White House to move forward.
ISIS-K member sentenced to 20 years in prison in case tied to Kabul bombing
An Islamic State group member was sentenced to 20 years in prison for aiding the terrorist organization that took credit for a suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members and about 160 Afghans at a Kabul airport.
Virginia fines a Microsoft data center for emissions violations
As part of the settlement with Microsoft, the tech giant has agreed to invest $2.4 million toward an environmental project underway in Loudoun County.
Feds paid $9.5 billion in leave costs in 2025 due to DOGE buyout
According to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report published Tuesday, the use of paid administrative leave increased by 435% from 2023 to 2025.
HealthWatch
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How Olympian Aly Raisman learned to advocate for her own health
In the latest episode of "Healthful," Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman discusses what she's learned about speaking up for herself and taking care of her body.
Investigation
A trusted seal made websites look legit. The weight-loss drug they sold wasn't.
Selling retatrutide commercially is prohibited by federal law. Yet, companies have promoted the drug on social media, thanks in part to being certified by LegitScript.
Outcome of employment lawsuit could promote use of skimpy health plans
A long-running lawsuit challenging what it means to be an employee and therefore have access to work-based health plans is being closely watched by health policy analysts.
Pennsylvania woman dies of measles complications, coroner reports
A 40-year-old woman died on Saturday from complications associated with measles, the coroner reported.
Strange symptom and a "weird" referral led to surprise Stage 4 cancer diagnosis
Kate Ping thought she was just stressed out. A nurse practitioner's surprising recommendation led to a shocking diagnosis.
World
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House passes Russia sanctions bill, overcoming Democratic opposition
The bill was championed by GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, who suddenly died after announcing a deal had been reached with the White House to move forward.
ISIS-K member sentenced to 20 years in prison in case tied to Kabul bombing
An Islamic State group member was sentenced to 20 years in prison for aiding the terrorist organization that took credit for a suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members and about 160 Afghans at a Kabul airport.
Village votes to leave U.K. in symbolic protest of plan to house asylum seekers
Residents of Piddington voted overwhelmingly to leave the United Kingdom in a symbolic referendum over plans to house asylum seekers nearby.
Humpback whale seen grieving dead calf in rare footage
The footage shows a female humpback whale staying close to the dead calf as it lies motionless on the seafloor, touching it with its head and fin.
Remains of ancient warhorse given honorific burial discovered in Egypt
Archaeologists say they've discovered the remains of a likely ancient Egyptian warhorse given an honorific burial more than 3,000 years ago.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
Judge Judy's son takes up the gavel in new show
Judge Judy has been a staple of daytime TV for 30 years, but now televised courts are becoming a family affair with her son, Adam Levy, picking up the gavel and donning the robe for "Adam's Law." Judge Levy joins CBS News to preview the new show.
Ed Sheeran speaks out on Macklemore decision
Ed Sheeran spoke out Tuesday after facing backlash for dropping Macklemore from his tour following the rapper's pro-Palestinian statements onstage. Shanelle Kaul reports.
Ed Sheeran breaks silence amid controversy
The rapper Macklemore was bumped from Ed Sheeran's U.S. concert tour for pro-Palestinian comments that some say crossed a line into prejudice. Now, four additional supporting acts have quit in solidarity and the headliner has addressed the controversy. Carter Evans reports.
Ed Sheeran's supporting acts pull out of tour after Macklemore was dropped
Aaron Rowe, Beoga, Lukas Graham and Finneas all released statements Tuesday on Instagram saying they were withdrawing from Ed Sheeran's tour.
Food & Wine unveils list of "Best New Chefs"
Food & Wine reveals its list of "Best New Chefs" this week. One of those talents is Masako Morishita of Perry's Restaurant in Washington, D.C., who joins to discuss her career move from NFL cheerleader to D.C. food icon and share one of her favorite recipes.
Technology
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House passes bill to shield Americans from data center energy costs
The vote comes as lawmakers face increasing pressure to respond to the data center boom driven by the AI race.
Reporter's first impressions of iPhone Duo
Apple has announced its first foldable iPhone called the Duo. While pre-orders for the nearly-$2,000 phone are just a month away, some people got their hands on it at Apple's launch event. CNET senior technology reporter Abrar Al-Heeti was one of them and joins CBS News to discuss.
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.
Alabama attorney general candidate on AI, more
House lawmakers are heading home for recess until after the midterms, leaving artificial intelligence regulation still stalled in Congress. Alabama Republican candidate for attorney general Katherine Robertson, who is currently leading a state investigation into OpenAI, joins "The Takeout" to discuss.
AI doesn't have rights or feelings, Microsoft's AI chief says
Microsoft's Mustafa Suleyman said in an essay that trying to develop AI consciousness would be "catastrophic" for humanity.
Science
More Science
Humpback whale seen grieving dead calf in rare footage
The footage shows a female humpback whale staying close to the dead calf as it lies motionless on the seafloor, touching it with its head and fin.
Remains of ancient warhorse given honorific burial discovered in Egypt
Archaeologists say they've discovered the remains of a likely ancient Egyptian warhorse given an honorific burial more than 3,000 years ago.
Anthropic CEO says "exponential" growth of AI is a "warning sign"
Artificial intelligence technology is developing at an "exponential" rate, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei told CBS News, calling the situation a "warning sign" for the industry that requires serious safeguards.
First-ever adult T. rex trackway found in North Dakota
Paleontologists have identified the first known trackway made by a full-grown Tyrannosaurus rex, and the discovery was made in the North Dakota badlands.
Ig Nobel prizes go to scientists studying cockroach milk, nose-blowing, more
Ten research teams were honored at a satirical science awards ceremony that was hosted outside the U.S. for the first time due to travel concerns. A study of cockroach milk was among the winners.
Crime
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Crime
Officials: Foreign actor breached tanker network
Federal authorities have confirmed that a foreign actor compromised the network of two oil tankers that were heading towards Texas in August. CBS News homeland security correspondent Nicole Sganga has the details.
Lindsay Clancy hires new lawyer for retrial
Lindsay Clancy has hired Martin Weinberg, one of Karen Read's attorneys, as she faces a retrial for the killings of her three children. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more.
Family blames abortion ban for woman's death
Tierra Walker, 37, died of preeclampsia when she was 20 weeks pregnant. Her family filed a lawsuit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and other doctors, alleging that the state's abortion ban led to her death. CBS News' Jericka Duncan reports.
Navy vet's murder solved after suspect who gave DNA dies by suicide
A veteran's 1987 murder has been solved, after the now-deceased suspect's DNA matched evidence at the scene of the killing, authorities said.
Georgia execution delayed for hearing under new law that may reduce sentence
A Georgia judge has put an execution on hold to allow time for a hearing on whether the sentence should be reduced under a new state law that lets victims of abuse have their sentences reconsidered.
Space
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NASA spacecraft discovers moon crater bigger than Roman Colosseum
Scientists have discovered a crater on the moon that's bigger than the Roman Colosseum, the result of a powerful impact two years ago.
NASA launches its Roman Space Telescope to explore the hidden universe
NASA's Roman Space Telescope launched shortly after daybreak from Kennedy Space Center and blazed toward an observation point 1 million miles away.
Roman Space Telescope promises 300-megapixel views of the cosmos
The $4.3 billion telescope is expected to discover tens of thousands of exoplanets while probing the nature of mysterious dark matter and energy.
First on CBS
Trump to honor Artemis II crew with nation's top space medal
President Trump plans to award the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to the crew of NASA's Artemis II mission in a ceremony Aug. 28.
NASA's Swift telescope will plunge toward Earth after rescue mission called off
The mission to save NASA's sinking space telescope has been called off, dooming the telescope to a fiery reentry later this year.
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.
Dolly Parton: An extraordinary life in pictures
Dolly Parton, the country music legend who became a feminist icon, has died at the age of 80. Here is a look back at her life in pictures.
Investigating the death of designer Sylvie Cachay
Sylvie Cachay was found dead in an overflowing bathtub at the exclusive Soho House in New York City on Dec. 9, 2010. A water leak at the hotel gave away a timeline that may have revealed her killer.
Summer music highlights of 2026
Summer is the time to enjoy live music, indoors and out. Scroll through our gallery of some of 2026's leading musical acts, featuring images by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.
Photos show celebrations at Obama Presidential Center
The Obama Presidential Center, museum and library opens in Chicago with a star-studded grand opening ceremony and public watch party on Midway Plaisance.
Latest CBS News Videos
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Latest CBS News Videos
Judge Judy's son takes up the gavel in new show
Judge Judy has been a staple of daytime TV for 30 years, but now televised courts are becoming a family affair with her son, Adam Levy, picking up the gavel and donning the robe for "Adam's Law." Judge Levy joins CBS News to preview the new show.
Midterm congressional races to watch
CBS News' director of elections and surveys Anthony Salvanto breaks down the congressional races to watch ahead of the midterm elections.
Eradicate Hate president on budget shortfalls
The Eradicate Hate Global Summit is underway in Pittsburgh, with a focus on preventing future tragedies by ending hate-fueled violence. The group's president, Brette Steele, joins "The Takeout" to discuss.
White House reacts to Fed interest rate hike
The Federal Reserve boosted interest rates for the first time since July 2023 on Wednesday. CBS News' Richard Escobedo and Natalie Brand have the details.
David Jolly on Florida gubernatorial campaign
Democrats are bullish this election cycle, even eyeing the governor's mansion in President Trump's adopted home state of Florida. The nominee, David Jolly, faces an uphill battle as Democrats haven't won a statewide race in the Sunshine State since 2018. Jolly joins "The Takeout" to discuss his campaign.