Help us report! Share your health costs story and search prices
How you can help CBS News and ClearHealthCosts bring more transparency to health care prices
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.
House Oversight Committee votes to subpoena Bondi to testify in Epstein probe
Several Republicans on the Oversight panel joined with Democrats in supporting the motion to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Nearly 37 million pounds of food recalled because it could contain glass
Oregon food manufacturer Ajinomoto expands an earlier recall of frozen and ready-to-eat products over glass contamination.
Exclusive
Justice Dept. employee charged in child pornography case
Timothy Parsons, a legal staffer at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C., is facing federal criminal charges in Maryland, where he lives, three sources said.
Officers who killed Austin gunman won't face charges
Travis County DA Jose Garza said Tuesday that suggestions that he would seek charges in the killing were "intentionally false" and political in nature, calling the officers heroes.
Google faces first lawsuit alleging its AI chatbot encouraged man's suicide
Google is accused in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a man who committed suicide in October, allegedly at the direction of the tech giant's AI chatbot, Gemini.
MoneyWatch
More MoneyWatch
Nearly 37 million pounds of food recalled because it could contain glass
Oregon food manufacturer Ajinomoto expands an earlier recall of frozen and ready-to-eat products over glass contamination.
Google faces first lawsuit alleging its AI chatbot encouraged man's suicide
Google is accused in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a man who committed suicide in October, allegedly at the direction of the tech giant's AI chatbot, Gemini.
Tariff refund delays could cost U.S. $700 million a month in interest
The U.S. government must also reimburse businesses for the interest they paid on tariffs recently struck down by the Supreme Court, according to the Cato Institute.
What to know about the agency Trump says will insure ships in the Gulf
President Trump said the government agency will provide political risk insurance to "all shipping lines" operating in the Persian Gulf.
United Airlines can now boot passengers who refuse to use headphones
United said it could permanently ban travelers who refuse to wear headphones while listening to audio or video content on its flights.
Politics
More Politics
House Oversight Committee votes to subpoena Bondi to testify in Epstein probe
Several Republicans on the Oversight panel joined with Democrats in supporting the motion to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Exclusive
Justice Dept. employee charged in child pornography case
Timothy Parsons, a legal staffer at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C., is facing federal criminal charges in Maryland, where he lives, three sources said.
Exclusive
Anthropic CEO: We're trying to "deescalate" Pentagon AI standoff to reach agreement
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said his company and the Department of Defense "have much more in common than we have differences."
Trump nominee to lead nation's cyber agency removed from post as senior DHS adviser
Although Sean Plankey's access badge was taken and he was escorted out of Coast Guard headquarters Monday, he remains the nominee to lead the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, sources said.
Key takeaways from House hearing with Walz, Ellison on Minnesota fraud
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz told lawmakers that fraud "happened on my watch," but defended his administration's handling of the allegations.
HealthWatch
More HealthWatch
Some baby formula brands contain heavy metals, Consumer Reports says
Tests of dozens of baby formulas by Consumer Reports found that nearly half contained potentially dangerous chemicals.
States face pushback on their rural health transformation plans
Some Republican state lawmakers and health associations are pushing back against spending plans under the Trump administration's $50 billion federal rural health fund.
Chocolate supplement recalled over erectile dysfunction drug
USALESS.COM is recalling its Rhino Choco VIP 10X product due to the undeclared presence of Tadalafil, which is the active ingredient in Cialis.
College student's mystery illness diagnosed as Stage IV cancer
Emma Operacz was diagnosed with a rare cancer at 21. An unusual treatment and bone marrow donation from her sister saved her life.
Medicaid is paying for more dental care. GOP cuts threaten to reverse the trend.
More than three dozen states cover dental services for people on Medicaid, but with about $900 billion in cuts expected to hit states over the next decade, many programs could roll back dental coverage.
World
More World
What we know about U.S. service members killed in Iran war
The fallen soldiers identified by the Pentagon were Sgt. Declan Coady, Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, Capt. Cody Khork, and Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens.
Iran says a girls' school was hit by a deadly air strike. Here's what we know.
Iranian officials say more than 170 people were killed in the strike. Neither the U.S. nor Israel has said it was behind the attack, but the Pentagon is investigating.
Cuba charges 6 suspects with terrorism over fatal U.S. boat shooting
The government unveiled items said to have been found on the boat, including high-powered weapons, more than 12,800 pieces of ammunition and 11 pistols.
Hegseth says U.S. torpedo sank an Iranian warship as military campaign ramps up
In Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's second news briefing since the start of the Iran war, Hegseth said the U.S. had sunk an enemy ship by a torpedo for the first time since World War II.
Senate voting on reining in Trump's war powers amid Iran campaign
The measure, which would block President Trump from further military force against Iran, appears poised to fall short of the simple majority needed to advance in the Senate.
Entertainment
More Entertainment
Entertainment
True crime series spotlights U.S. small towns
Hilarie Burton Morgan, known for playing Peyton on "One Tree Hill," talks about her docuseries, "True Crime Story: It Couldn't Happen Here," which is in its third season. She explains how each episode highlights a case in a small town in the U.S., how the series empowers the audience and recent developments in a cold case.
Padma Lakshmi talks "America's Culinary Cup"
TV host and food expert Padma Lakshmi, the creator and executive producer of the new CBS series, "America's Culinary Cup," speaks to "CBS Mornings" about creating the cooking competition and how it's different from other shows.
How families can change their habits
Bestselling author Michaeleen Doucleff offers science-backed tips on how families can curb their screen time and cut back on ultraprocessed foods. She explains how her new book, which is aimed at rewiring children's brains, began with a personal revelation.
Luke Grimes on "Marshals"
Actor Luke Grimes talks about starring in the "Yellowstone" spinoff "Marshals." Grimes reveals why he was hesitant to join the cast at first and what it was like to have his new song "Haunted" to play in the premiere episode.
Preview of UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira
UFC commentator Laura Sanko joins "CBS Mornings" to preview Saturday's UFC fight where defending champion Max Holloway will take on Charles Oliveira for the BMF title.
Technology
More Technology
Exclusive
Anthropic CEO: We're trying to "deescalate" Pentagon AI standoff to reach agreement
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said his company and the Department of Defense "have much more in common than we have differences."
OpenAI changing Pentagon deal after backlash
Hours after the Trump administration ditched Anthropic over the dispute about AI use, OpenAI struck its own deal with the Pentagon. Now the details of that agreement appear to be changing after backlash. Katrina Manson, Bloomberg News reporter, has 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.
Amazon says drones hit 3 of its Middle East data centers
Drones struck two facilities in the United Arab Emirates directly, and damaged a data center in Bahrain, Amazon said.
Exclusive
AI executive Dario Amodei on the red lines Anthropic would not cross
The CEO of Anthropic says his company refused to allow its technology to be used by the Trump Administration without certain guidelines (such as not using its AI to power fully-autonomous weapons without any human involvement).
Science
More Science
NASA announces major overhaul of Artemis moon program "to take down risk"
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced significant changes to the agency's Artemis program, which aims to land on the moon in 2028.
What scientists will be looking for when government UFO files are released
Documents might help scientists shed light on unexplained phenomena and government secrets, experts said.
In a first, shark seen on camera in Antarctica waters, surprising researchers
A large shark was caught on camera for the first time in Antarctica's waters, surprising researchers. "There's a general rule of thumb that you don't get sharks in Antarctica," one said.
How Washington's crossing of the Delaware presaged a changing world
On the evening of Christmas 1776, Gen. George Washington surprised the King's forces by leading the Continental Army in a surprise crossing of a near-frozen Delaware River - a watershed military maneuver that dramatized a changing America, and a changing climate.
These United States: George Washington and climate change
On the evening of Christmas 1776, Gen. George Washington surprised the King's forces by leading the Continental Army in an unanticipated crossing of a near-frozen Delaware River. Environmental correspondent David Schechter looks at how Washington's watershed military maneuver dramatized both a changing America, and a changing climate.
Crime
More Crime
Exclusive
Justice Dept. employee charged in child pornography case
Timothy Parsons, a legal staffer at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C., is facing federal criminal charges in Maryland, where he lives, three sources said.
Officers who killed Austin gunman won't face charges
Travis County DA Jose Garza said Tuesday that suggestions that he would seek charges in the killing were "intentionally false" and political in nature, calling the officers heroes.
Cuba charges 6 suspects with terrorism over fatal U.S. boat shooting
The government unveiled items said to have been found on the boat, including high-powered weapons, more than 12,800 pieces of ammunition and 11 pistols.
Dad of accused school shooter found guilty
A jury found Colin Gray, the father of an accused Georgia high school shooter, guilty on all 27 counts Tuesday, including second-degree murder. Last week Gray testified in his own defense that he never noticied any signs of trouble with his son, Colt Gray, who is charged with opening fire and killing four people inside Apalachee High School in 2024.
U.S. court convicts Japanese mafia leader for trafficking nuclear material
Takeshi Ebisawa was sentenced to 20 years in prison by a New York court after being convicted of trafficking nuclear material as well as drugs and weapons.
Space
More Space
Space
Why NASA is overhauling Artemis program
NASA has announced a major overhaul of its Artemis moon program amid ongoing safety concerns. CBS News space consultant Bill Harwood has more details.
How NASA plans to get astronauts on the moon
NASA announced an overhaul to its Artemis moon program as safety concerns persist. CBS News space contributor Christian Davenport breaks down the key takeaways.
NASA announces major overhaul of Artemis moon program "to take down risk"
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced significant changes to the agency's Artemis program, which aims to land on the moon in 2028.
Safety concerns over NASA's Artemis program
NASA's Artemis II mission continues to face concerns and delays. Scott E. Parazynski, a former astronaut, joins CBS News with more.
NASA rolls Artemis II back for repairs
NASA is rolling back the Artemis II moon rocket from its launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It is expected to take up to 12 hours to move the 322-foot rocket, with the journey spanning four miles back to its hangar for repairs. CBS News space consultant Bill Harwood has more.
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
Kaine, Schumer on war powers vote
Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine and Chuck Schumer urged their colleagues to vote for the war powers resolution to block President Trump from continuing the conflict with Iran.
Goldman, Noem argue over DHS role in elections
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem testified before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday at a hearing over the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman of New York pressed Noem on whether she had taken any action on election security.
Trump discusses Iran, nuclear weapons
President Trump spoke more about the war in Iran on Wednesday, commenting on Iran's nuclear program prior to strikes. See his remarks.
Noem on Lewandowski relationship claims
California Democratic Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove grilled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday about an apparent romantic relationship with Corey Lewandowski, a top adviser to Noem, which The Wall Street Journal reported on. Noem called the allegations "tabloid garbage" and later refuted the claims.
Senate voting on Trump's war powers
Members of Congress are voting Wednesday on a war powers resolution aimed at blocking President Trump from using additional military force against Iran without approval. CBS News congressional correspondent Caitlin Huey-Burns has more.