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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.
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Supreme Court says nation's top copyright official can keep job for now
The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it won't allow President Trump to remove the nation's top copyright official.
Supreme Court takes up challenges to AR-15 bans
The Supreme Court agreed to take up challenges to so-called assault-weapons bans in Cook County, Illinois, and Connecticut.
Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, striking down Trump's order
The Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down President Trump's executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship.
Supreme Court strikes down coordinated campaign spending limits
The Supreme Court struck down federal limits on the amount of money a political committee can spend in coordination with federal candidates.
Supreme Court upholds state transgender athlete bans in girls' and women's sports
The Supreme Court upheld state laws from West Virginia and Idaho that restricted participation by transgender athletes in girls' and women's sports.
MoneyWatch
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AI could make people dull, one scientist fears. Here's why.
AI tends to "play it safe within a user's preferences," nudging people toward more conventional choices, according to computational social scientist Sandra Matz.
Ford recalls more than 741,000 vehicles due to faulty park system
Ford estimates that 1% of the vehicles have the defect, according to the recall notice.
He dreamed of becoming a physician assistant. New loan rules may thwart him.
Starting July 1, the government will cap what graduate students may borrow in federal loans, forcing many toward private lenders with higher interest rates.
This number helps explain why many Americans are down on the economy
American workers' share of the nation's income is at its lowest point in almost 80 years, as more of the economy's gains flow to corporations and investors.
Here's what to know about Medicare's new GLP-1 weight-loss drug program
For the first time, Medicare will cover GLP-1 drugs prescribed solely for weight loss for eligible beneficiaries at a $50 monthly copay.
Politics
More Politics
Supreme Court says nation's top copyright official can keep job for now
The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it won't allow President Trump to remove the nation's top copyright official.
Supreme Court takes up challenges to AR-15 bans
The Supreme Court agreed to take up challenges to so-called assault-weapons bans in Cook County, Illinois, and Connecticut.
Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, striking down Trump's order
The Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down President Trump's executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship.
Supreme Court strikes down coordinated campaign spending limits
The Supreme Court struck down federal limits on the amount of money a political committee can spend in coordination with federal candidates.
Supreme Court upholds state transgender athlete bans in girls' and women's sports
The Supreme Court upheld state laws from West Virginia and Idaho that restricted participation by transgender athletes in girls' and women's sports.
HealthWatch
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HealthWatch
What is the viral trend looksmaxxing?
Looksmaxxing is a viral and controversial trend that encourages young men to maximize their appearance. Adam Yamaguchi shows why it's resonating with some people.
He dreamed of becoming a physician assistant. New loan rules may thwart him.
Starting July 1, the government will cap what graduate students may borrow in federal loans, forcing many toward private lenders with higher interest rates.
Here's what to know about Medicare's new GLP-1 weight-loss drug program
For the first time, Medicare will cover GLP-1 drugs prescribed solely for weight loss for eligible beneficiaries at a $50 monthly copay.
Former NFL star Chris Johnson says he's been diagnosed with ALS
Former NFL running back Chris Johnson announced that he was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in a "Good Morning America" interview.
Mom gets answers after fighting for diagnosis: "Something's wrong"
Michelle Williams struggled with high blood pressure and swelling for years before she was finally diagnosed with an unusual condition.
World
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Arrests made after bomb attack targets reporter threatened by mafia
Sigfrido Ranucci had just returned home at the time of the explosion, and his daughter had walked by a half-hour before, his employer said.
Rescuers cling to hope for survivors 6 days after Venezuela earthquakes
The earthquakes that hit Venezuela 6 days ago may have damaged or destroyed 58,000 buildings, NASA says, as rescuers race the clock to find survivors.
Prince Harry "exploring every option" to bring family on U.K. visit
Prince Harry's request for taxpayer-funded police protection during a visit home this summer was reportedly rejected by U.K. authorities.
Fossil found in drawer turns out to be first dinosaur bone from Antarctica
Dinosaur fossils are rare to find in Antarctica because of the unforgiving ice caps. But millions of years ago, the region was populated by lush forests.
Live
U.S.-Iran peace efforts inch along, mired by Israel's fight with Hezbollah
A long-term U.S.-Iran peace deal may depend on a separate agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Analysts say that presents a problem.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
Brandon Lake opens up about his music
Grammy-winner Brandon Lake is one of the biggest names in Christian music. He speaks with "CBS Mornings" about how his audience is growing, collaborations and how he got his start.
Taylor Swift wedding mystery deepens
Will Taylor Swift be marrying Travis Kelce this week at Madison Square Garden? Jericka Duncan reports.
Carl Rinsch sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for defrauding Netflix
According to prosecutors and testimony, Carl Rinsch told Netflix he needed $11 million to finish a show, but spent whopping sums on luxury cars, watches and other goods, including $638,000 on two mattresses.
Aide who planned JFK Jr.'s secret wedding weighs in on Swift-Kelce rumors
RoseMarie Terenzio, who was JFK Jr.'s former chief of staff and planned his secret wedding to Carolyn Bessette, said she doesn't think Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are getting married at Madison Square Garden.
Olivia Wilde, Edward Norton on "The Invite"
Olivia Wilde and Edward Norton, stars of "The Invite" preview the film, which explores the unraveling and evolution of two very different marriages over the course of an unforgettable evening. The two discuss if they brought any of their own experiences to the movie and Wilde, who also directed the film, shares why she was initially reluctant to star in it.
Technology
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AI could make people dull, one scientist fears. Here's why.
AI tends to "play it safe within a user's preferences," nudging people toward more conventional choices, according to computational social scientist Sandra Matz.
U.S. eases restrictions on Mythos AI model
The Trump administration is allowing Anthropic to restore access to its Mythos 5 AI model for a select group of U.S. companies and federal agencies. New York Times tech reporter Sheera Frenkel 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.
How trains drove American history
The transcontinental railroad changed just about everything in America: transportation, communications, commerce, cities, politics, even our perception of time. Correspondent David Pogue visits Steamtown National Historic Site, in Scranton, Pa., home to Big Boy, the biggest functioning steam train in the world, to learn how trains helped define an expansive America.
California creates AI job trend tracker
California now has the nation's first dashboard to publicly track artificial intelligence-related job trends, ones created and ones lost. As of now, early findings show no evidence of rising statewide unemployment from jobs exposed to AI. Till von Wachter, a faculty director of the California Policy Lab at UCLA, joins "The Takeout" to discuss.
Science
More Science
Fossil found in drawer turns out to be first dinosaur bone from Antarctica
Dinosaur fossils are rare to find in Antarctica because of the unforgiving ice caps. But millions of years ago, the region was populated by lush forests.
NASA prepares to launch rescue to save telescope from falling to Earth
The $30 million salvage operation gets underway as soon as this week with the planned launch of a robotic lifesaver.
Astronomers find 2 gigantic planets lighter than cotton candy
The featherweight pair — orbiting a star 1,110 light-years away — are the biggest exoplanets found to have less density than cotton candy.
Ancient Egyptian burial site reveals centuries of changing traditions
Human and animal remains unearthed in Egypt's Nile Delta reveal changing funerary practices over some 600 years, and the evolution of a key site itself.
Telescope snaps most detailed photo yet of Milky Way's heart
Euclid is on a mission to chart one-third of the sky in the hopes of shedding light on the enduring mysteries of dark matter and dark energy.
Crime
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Crime
Suspect in D.C. Israeli murders back in court
The man accused of killing two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., is back in court today. CBS News crime and public safety unit's senior coordinating producer Anna Schecter has more on the case.
Arrests made after bomb attack targets reporter threatened by mafia
Sigfrido Ranucci had just returned home at the time of the explosion, and his daughter had walked by a half-hour before, his employer said.
Over half a million dollars stolen from ATMs in "jackpotting" scheme
Four men are accused of stealing more than half a million dollars from ATMs in Connecticut, in a "jackpotting scheme," authorities said.
Monaco attack injures at least 3
Officials say a bomb went off at a residential building in Monaco, leaving at least three people injured, including a Ukrainian businessman. Chris Livesay reports.
Carl Rinsch sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for defrauding Netflix
According to prosecutors and testimony, Carl Rinsch told Netflix he needed $11 million to finish a show, but spent whopping sums on luxury cars, watches and other goods, including $638,000 on two mattresses.
Space
More Space
NASA prepares to launch rescue to save telescope from falling to Earth
The $30 million salvage operation gets underway as soon as this week with the planned launch of a robotic lifesaver.
Astronomers find 2 gigantic planets lighter than cotton candy
The featherweight pair — orbiting a star 1,110 light-years away — are the biggest exoplanets found to have less density than cotton candy.
Telescope snaps most detailed photo yet of Milky Way's heart
Euclid is on a mission to chart one-third of the sky in the hopes of shedding light on the enduring mysteries of dark matter and dark energy.
Interstellar comet may be oldest object ever seen in solar system
Exactly where the comet 3I/ATLAS came from within the Milky Way remains a mystery.
Researchers find "Pink Planet" has salty clouds: "We were very surprised"
The "Pink Planet," formally known as GJ504b, was discovered in 2013 and is technically not a planet but rather a "planetary-mass companion."
Latest Galleries
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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.
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.
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.
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
6/27: CBS Weekend News
High winds and heat are fueling Utah's out-of-control wildfires; Iranian drones target Bahrain after U.S. strikes Iran.
Suspect in D.C. Israeli murders back in court
The man accused of killing two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., is back in court today. CBS News crime and public safety unit's senior coordinating producer Anna Schecter has more on the case.
Supreme Court issues key rulings
The Supreme Court ruled to uphold birthright citizenship on Tuesday, thwarting President Trump's attempts to end the constitutional right. Meanwhile, the highest court allowed states to ban transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports, and struck down limits on coordinated campaign spending. CBS News' Jan Crawford has more.
The immense impact of birthright citizenship
The Supreme Court struck down President Trump's attempt to end birthright citizenship. Columbia Law School professor Elora Mukherjee and presidential historian Douglas Brinkley join "CBS News 24/7 with more.
Venezuela searches hit crucial point
The search for missing Venezuelans is hitting a critical point after last week's deadly earthquakes. CBS News' Camilo Montoya-Galvez has more.