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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.
Data centers are changing America's landscape, report says
Hundreds of data centers are sprouting up across the U.S. over farmland, shrubland and forest, with thousands more on the way, according to the Washington Post.
2 indicted in connection with counterfeit Ozempic scheme in Florida
Two Indian citizens are accused of smuggling counterfeit Ozempic to distributors in the U.S. at discounted prices.
Former "American Idol" contestant Caleb Flynn found guilty in wife's murder
Flynn was found guilty of killing his wife, Ashley, in February and attempting to blame the murder on a break-in at their home.
Supreme Court revives Trump's third-country deportation policy for now
The Supreme Court said in an unsigned order it will hear arguments in the challenge to the Trump administration's third-country-removal policy in December.
Thune to ramp up midterm campaign stops as GOP defends Senate majority
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is set to travel to states with key Senate races in the coming weeks as the GOP fights to hold on to its majority in the upper chamber.
MoneyWatch
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Data centers are changing America's landscape, report says
Hundreds of data centers are sprouting up across the U.S. over farmland, shrubland and forest, with thousands more on the way, according to the Washington Post.
Sam Altman unveils "dots," OpenAI's new AI personal agent
OpenAI says its new agent can schedule meetings, make travel arrangements, debug computer systems and handle other workplace tasks.
U.S. ban on almost $1 billion in Canadian imports takes effect
The United States has banned nearly $1 billion worth of Canadian imports, including alcoholic beverages, dairy products and motorcycles.
OpenAI halts model release over safety concerns: "Didn't quite meet the bar"
OpenAI said it has chosen not to release its new GPT-6.1 Astra model due to concerns about safety, as industry leaders warn of the risks posed by ever-more-powerful AI technology.
Peperoncini product recalled after "pest contaminant" found in jar
California food manufacturer said it is investigating after a consumer posted a video showing a rodent in a jar of the company's peperoncinis.
Politics
More Politics
Trump and major AI executives sign "morally binding" voluntary controls
President Trump and the leaders of the country's largest artificial intelligence companies have signed a set of voluntary safety standards, as calls mount for tighter guardrails on powerful AI technology.
2 indicted in connection with counterfeit Ozempic scheme in Florida
Two Indian citizens are accused of smuggling counterfeit Ozempic to distributors in the U.S. at discounted prices.
Supreme Court revives Trump's third-country deportation policy for now
The Supreme Court said in an unsigned order it will hear arguments in the challenge to the Trump administration's third-country-removal policy in December.
Thune to ramp up midterm campaign stops as GOP defends Senate majority
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is set to travel to states with key Senate races in the coming weeks as the GOP fights to hold on to its majority in the upper chamber.
First on CBS
Feds charge Venezuelan man shot by ICE agent with assaulting an officer
Federal prosecutors in Texas have charged a Venezuelan delivery driver who was shot by an ICE agent earlier this month with assaulting a federal officer.
HealthWatch
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Severely disabled toddler euthanized in the Netherlands under new rules
Dutch doctors decided to euthanize a child just under the age of 2 under new rules allowing the procedure for children suffering unbearably.
Food safety becomes election issue as major outbreaks, recalls cause concern
Recent outbreaks of foodborne illness and high-profile recalls have made food safety a concern of voters.
Teen's headache reveals family health risk: "Saving people's lives"
Minutes into a run, Caroline McCaffrey was struck with a massive headache. The resulting medical journey would reveal a family risk for a dangerous condition.
Will an FDA crackdown curb access to cheaper GLP-1 weight-loss drugs?
The FDA has warned a major compounding pharmacy that it violated federal law by making copies of blockbuster weight-loss drugs in "inordinate amounts."
Bone health and the "silent disease": 4 things women should know
In the latest episode of "Healthful," Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein, an orthopedic surgeon at Duke University School of Medicine, discusses what women should know about protecting their bones.
World
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Severely disabled toddler euthanized in the Netherlands under new rules
Dutch doctors decided to euthanize a child just under the age of 2 under new rules allowing the procedure for children suffering unbearably.
Trump and Rubio question U.K. handling of possible plot against air base
Rubio claims a possible terror plot against a U.K. air base used by U.S. forces "clearly involved" a foreign actor, but there are few facts to support that.
Search for missing students leads to human remains, 17 suspects
A new analysis of phone calls made on the night of the students' disappearance led to the arrests of 17 new suspects, officials said.
Pope Leo draws massive crowds in France. Is Catholicism making a comeback?
Large crowds in Paris and other parts of France offered a striking welcome for Pope Leo in one of Europe's most secular countries.
Princess Diana's brother says Buckingham Palace "has to gaslight" him
Charles Spencer, the brother of the late Princess Diana, spoke to "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King about writing his new book, "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister."
Entertainment
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Entertainment
Caleb Flynn found guilty of murdering wife
Caleb Flynn, a pastor and former "American Idol" contestant, was convicted by a jury Tuesday of murdering his wife. CBS News' Lana Zak reports.
Author John Grisham on "The French Illusion"
Author John Grisham has published over 50 bestselling books. Now, Grisham is breaking into the spy genre with "The French Illusion," which tells the story of a newlywed couple kidnapped in Paris. Grisham joins "CBS Mornings" with more.
Blu DeTiger is excited for her new album
Emerging musician and DJ Blu DeTiger started on TikTok and moved on to share the stage with Sabrina Carpenter, Sombr and others. She spoke with "CBS Mornings" about her music, including her upcoming album, "N.Y. Baby."
Country star speaks out on AI data centers
Some of country music's biggest stars are speaking out against the surge in development of massive data centers, saying the centers have negative impact on the environment and threaten a quieter way of country living. Brad Paisley, Tanya Tucker, Willie Nelson and Gavin Adcock have all said they're against data center development. Adcock joined "CBS Mornings" to share why he's speaking out now.
Dennis Haskins, who played Mr. Belding on "Saved by the Bell," has died
Dennis Haskins, who played Principal Richard Belding in "Saved By The Bell," has died. He was 75.
Technology
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Trump and major AI executives sign "morally binding" voluntary controls
President Trump and the leaders of the country's largest artificial intelligence companies have signed a set of voluntary safety standards, as calls mount for tighter guardrails on powerful AI technology.
Sam Altman unveils "dots," OpenAI's new AI personal agent
OpenAI says its new agent can schedule meetings, make travel arrangements, debug computer systems and handle other workplace tasks.
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 AI data centers are changing America
Data center development is on the rise as tech companies look to store massive amounts of artificial intelligence data. Kevin Schaul, a senior graphics reporter at The Washington Post covering AI, discusses how data centers are changing America's landscapes.
Trump launches AI-powered government site
President Trump launched America.gov, a new government website powered by artificial intelligence. This comes as he plans to meet with tech executives over the future of AI. CBS News correspondent Natalie Brand reports.
Science
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Science
Neuroscientists grow human brain tissue in mice
Neuroscientists at Stanford University successfully grew human brain tissue inside mice in the hopes of further enabling the development of treatments for brain disorders. Stanford Medicine professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences Dr. Sergiu Pasca, who led the study, joins CBS News to break down the findings.
New species of wild cat discovered for first time in more than a century
Scientists have discovered a new species of wild cat for the first time in more than a century, a Bolivian researcher says.
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.
Crime
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Crime
Caleb Flynn found guilty of murdering wife
Caleb Flynn, a pastor and former "American Idol" contestant, was convicted by a jury Tuesday of murdering his wife. CBS News' Lana Zak reports.
2 indicted in connection with counterfeit Ozempic scheme in Florida
Two Indian citizens are accused of smuggling counterfeit Ozempic to distributors in the U.S. at discounted prices.
Former "American Idol" contestant Caleb Flynn found guilty in wife's murder
Flynn was found guilty of killing his wife, Ashley, in February and attempting to blame the murder on a break-in at their home.
Dutch police arrest alleged FBI hacker
Dutch national police have arrested an alleged member of a cybercriminal organization who they say bragged about hacking the FBI. CBS News' Lana Zak reports.
Clancy defense: No evidence of admission
Defense attorney Kevin Reddington argued in court Tuesday that there's no evidence Lindsay Clancy admitted to killing her children. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul and Caroline Polisi have more.
Space
More Space
NASA plans Starliner test flight after astronauts got stuck at space station
NASA says it is committed to helping Boeing get its Starliner back in space after multiple upgrades and improvements.
SpaceX launches Starship on giant rocket's first flight to orbit
The Super Heavy-Starship rocket's 14th test flight, the first boosting the upper stage to orbit, marked a major milestone for both SpaceX and NASA.
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.
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
Extended interview: Patrick Clancy
Patrick Clancy wrestles with grief and shares memories of his children in his first interview since his ex-wife Lindsay Clancy's murder trial ended without a verdict.
Questions about announced Iowa steel plant
President Trump on Monday announced that a prominent steel company would build a $15 billion plant in Iowa. CBS News' Lana Zak reports.
Breaking down Jack Smith's Senate testimony
Former special counsel Jack Smith testified before the Senate on Tuesday about the investigations he led into President Trump. Lee Holmes, former chief counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee, joins "The Takeout" to discuss.
Legal expert on new Lindsay Clancy defense
Lindsay Clancy's defense team argued Tuesday that there's "no evidence" she admitted to killing her three children, a claim that hadn't been made in the original trial. CBS News legal contributor Caroline Polisi has more.
Trump and tech leaders sign AI "constitution"
President Trump met with industry leaders from the AI world Tuesday at the White House, signing a "constitution" with "morally binding" voluntary controls. CBS News' Nancy Cordes reports and Gaurab Bansal, executive director of Responsible Innovation Labs, joins with his thoughts.