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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.
Iran war hits housing market as mortgage rates rise to 6%
Mortgage rates are rising as bond investors fret that rising oil prices could boost inflation.
U.S. contractor who allegedly stole $46 million of crypto arrested, FBI says
John Daghita was arrested on the island of Saint Martin, FBI Director Kash Patel said.
Record share of Americans are tapping 401(k)s for hardship withdrawals
More Americans are digging into their retirement savings for emergency expenses, research from Vanguard shows.
Watch Live: Pete Hegseth, Adm. Brad Cooper give news conference
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will give a press briefing with Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of U.S. Central Command.
Savannah Guthrie visits "Today" studio, says she intends to return to show
Savannah Guthrie thanked her colleagues for "caring about my mom as much as I do" in her visit to the studio since Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.
MoneyWatch
More MoneyWatch
Iran war hits housing market as mortgage rates rise to 6%
Mortgage rates are rising as bond investors fret that rising oil prices could boost inflation.
Record share of Americans are tapping 401(k)s for hardship withdrawals
More Americans are digging into their retirement savings for emergency expenses, research from Vanguard shows.
Pentagon formally designates Anthropic a supply chain risk amid feud over AI guardrails
The U.S. military has formally designated artificial intelligence firm Anthropic a supply chain risk, sources told CBS News, a sweeping move that could cut it off from military contracts.
Trump vowed to revive manufacturing. Factory jobs are still vanishing.
Job cuts at a Whirlpool factory in Iowa underscore the challenges in reviving American manufacturing. "Every day, workers' jobs are still in jeopardy," a union official said.
Dow tumbles almost 800 points amid concerns about surging oil prices
Stocks fell sharply on Wall Street on Thursday as oil prices rose further because of the war with Iran.
Politics
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Watch Live: Pete Hegseth, Adm. Brad Cooper give news conference
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will give a press briefing with Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of U.S. Central Command.
Pentagon formally designates Anthropic a supply chain risk amid feud over AI guardrails
The U.S. military has formally designated artificial intelligence firm Anthropic a supply chain risk, sources told CBS News, a sweeping move that could cut it off from military contracts.
Kristi Noem out as secretary of Homeland Security, Trump says
The announcement comes amid criticism of DHS spending under Noem, and as Congress has allowed the department's funding to lapse.
GOP leaders urge Gonzales to drop reelection bid over affair scandal
The Texas Republican admitted Wednesday that he had a relationship with the staffer, who later died by suicide.
Tech investors sue Trump administration, accusing it of violating TikTok ban
A pair of tech investors have filed a civil lawsuit accusing the Trump administration of failing to enforce a law that required TikTok to either separate from its China-based owner or face a U.S. ban.
HealthWatch
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RFK Jr. challenges Dunkin' and Starbucks over sugary drinks
HHS Secretary RFK Jr. wants the popular coffee chains to prove their surgery drinks are safe for teens and suggested the Trump administration could place limits on your cup of coffee.
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.
World
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U.S. contractor who allegedly stole $46 million of crypto arrested, FBI says
John Daghita was arrested on the island of Saint Martin, FBI Director Kash Patel said.
Watch Live: Pete Hegseth, Adm. Brad Cooper give news conference
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will give a press briefing with Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of U.S. Central Command.
Who will be Iran's next supreme leader? One name stands out.
The assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the early hours of the war has raised a simple but enormously consequential question: Who will replace him?
Could Iran attack on U.S. soil? Be "extra vigilant right now," security analyst says
A former national security official says Iran has "surrogate networks here in the United States" and urges Americans to be "extra vigilant right now."
Ecuador sinks "narco sub" as nation works with U.S. to fight organized crime
Ecuador and the U.S. began joint military operations on Tuesday, the U.S. Southern Command said on social media.
Entertainment
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Savannah Guthrie visits "Today" studio, says she intends to return to show
Savannah Guthrie thanked her colleagues for "caring about my mom as much as I do" in her visit to the studio since Nancy Guthrie's disappearance.
Spoiler: Ex-"Survivor" winner on elimination
(Warning: Spoiler alert ahead!) Savannah Louie, who won season 49 of "Survivor," talks about her early elimination from the show's 50th season, challenges she faced as a former winner and the lesson she took away from the game.
Leibovitz on photographing influential women
Throughout her career, Annie Leibovitz has photographed influential women, including Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Queen Elizabeth and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She spoke to Anthony Mason about the moments behind the photos and what she plans for her future.
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.
Technology
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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
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Sea levels higher than thought due to "methodological blind spot," study says
A new study in the journal Nature says most sea level rise research may have underestimated coastal water heights by an average of 1 foot.
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.
Crime
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U.S. contractor who allegedly stole $46 million of crypto arrested, FBI says
John Daghita was arrested on the island of Saint Martin, FBI Director Kash Patel said.
Austin PD give update on probe of deadly mass shooting that killed 3
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis played surveillance video and police body cam video.
Suspect identified and in custody after 3 women's bodies found in Utah
A suspect is in custody and has been identified after authorities in Utah found three women's bodies in two locations.
Man accused of plot to assassinate Trump says Iran pressured him
A man accused of plotting to kill U.S. politicians said he was pressured by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to devise the murder-for-hire scheme.
Gloves found near Guthrie's home tied to restaurant worker, no connection to case
DNA from the gloves found near Nancy Gunthrie's Arizona home was traced back to a local restaurant worker who has no connection to the investigation, the Pima County Sheriff's Department said.
Space
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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
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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
Trump tells Iranian military to surrender
President Trump spoke Thursday from the White House about the war in Iran, calling on members of Iranian Revolutionary Guard to lay down their arms or face "guaranteed death." See his remarks.
American stuck in Mideast: "Mass confusion"
As missiles are flying in the Middle East, one million Americans are currently in the region, and many want out. CBS News correspondent Shanelle Kaul spoke with a woman who said she feels the government's messaging is creating "significantly more stress for people."
Iran war could lead to higher airfares, more
The war with Iran has pushed the cost of oil to $80 a barrel. Yahoo Finance senior reporter Brooke DiPalma joins CBS News to unpack the possible repercussions.
Noem doesn't address DHS ouster in remarks
President Trump announced Kristi Noem's ouster as DHS secretary minutes before Noem gave an address to the Sergeant Benevolent Association Major Cities Conference in Nashville. CBS News correspondent Nicole Valdes was at the address and has more.
Watch: Moment that may have led to Noem ouster
President Trump announced Thursday that he is removing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and will nominate Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to replace her. CBS News has learned that the final straw appeared to be Noem's response to a question during Tuesday's Senate hearing from Republican Sen. John Kennedy about her decision to spend $220 million on an ad campaign aimed at reducing illegal immigration. CBS News' Nancy Cordes and Caitlin Huey-Burns report.