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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.
Missing woman's family receives texts asking for money, bitcoin
Alisa Goods, 63, disappeared 10 days ago in Las Vegas. Her family has been receiving mysterious messages from her phone.
Disney and ABC sue FCC over early license review, alleging retaliation
The lawsuit comes after the FCC ordered ABC to seek renewals between two and five years before its TV stations' licenses were set to expire.
Hayden Panettiere's ex-fiancé in "profound shock" after her death
Hayden Panettiere, who shares a daughter with the former boxing champ, died on Sunday at 36 years old.
DOJ asks court to reinstate criminal charges against Abrego Garcia
In May, a federal judge dismissed a criminal indictment against Abrego Garcia, who had been accused of smuggling immigrants in the U.S. illegally.
Homes destroyed by mudslide brought by Lala on Hawaii's Big Island
"The boulders that were coming down were so heavy they were like shaking the ground," resident Alice Birnbaum told CBS News.
MoneyWatch
More MoneyWatch
Disney and ABC sue FCC over early license review, alleging retaliation
The lawsuit comes after the FCC ordered ABC to seek renewals between two and five years before its TV stations' licenses were set to expire.
Discord suspends livestreams in Brazil amid backlash over girl's suicide
Popular American chat app Discord says it suspended livestreams in line with a Brazilian government order, amid fierce criticism over a 13-year-old girl's death.
U.S., Canada in last-minute talks to head off steep new U.S. tariffs
Last-minute talks were continuing between the U.S. and Canada in an effort to head off President Trump's plan to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods.
Stellantis recalls nearly 850,000 vehicles over rearview camera issue
The car manufacturer is also recalling another 107,000 vehicles outside the U.S. over the same issue.
Has your license plate been tracked by Flock? Here's how to check.
The website HaveIBeenFlocked has compiled a database of 4.6 million license plate records that have appeared in roughly 242 million Flock searches.
Politics
More Politics
U.S., Canada in last-minute talks to head off steep new U.S. tariffs
Last-minute talks were continuing between the U.S. and Canada in an effort to head off President Trump's plan to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods.
Florida voters choose in governor, Senate primaries, and more races to watch
Three states are holding primaries on Tuesday, with Florida deciding on nominees for both governor and for Senate.
DOJ asks court to reinstate criminal charges against Abrego Garcia
In May, a federal judge dismissed a criminal indictment against Abrego Garcia, who had been accused of smuggling immigrants in the U.S. illegally.
Judge blocks plan to move FBI headquarters to Reagan Building
U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang ruled that the Trump administration's move to divert funding and cancel a plan to move the FBI to Maryland was "arbitrary and capricious and not in accordance with law."
Activists who posed as Minnesota voters during primary could be in legal trouble
An undercover video could land a handful of activists in legal trouble. They pretended to be Minnesota voters during the primary.
HealthWatch
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School vaccination rates inch down again to record low
U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates have declined again, with exemptions reaching a record high for the 2025-2026 school year
RFK Jr.'s hunt for autism culprits stalls amid Trump's baseless vaccine order
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s closed-door research has yet to produce evidence linking vaccines and autism.
Mom-to-be had 2 signs of rare complication: "Everything kept getting worse"
Candice Davis' first pregnancy was going smoothly until she began feeling some nausea and pain one afternoon.
My husband was kicked out of hospice. Here's what I learned.
Some seriously ill patients improve on hospice. About 1 in 16 patients enrolled in hospice care lose eligibility as a result. Here's how to get appropriate care.
Whole Foods recalls some jalapeño products over salmonella risk
Certain salsas, guacamole, pico de gallo and prepared jalapeño products at Whole Foods are among the products recalled over possible salmonella risk.
World
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Trial opens 32 years after American woman murdered in Germany
The man is accused of luring Amy Lopez under false pretenses into a secluded room, where he then allegedly handcuffed her, sexually assaulted her and killed her.
American man flies to West Bank to save home from Israeli settlers
Palestinian-American Loui Ridi says he flew from Ohio to a village in the Israeli-occupied West Bank to stop settlers from seizing his home.
Discord suspends livestreams in Brazil amid backlash over girl's suicide
Popular American chat app Discord says it suspended livestreams in line with a Brazilian government order, amid fierce criticism over a 13-year-old girl's death.
Live
Trump says no talks with Iran ongoing, and none scheduled
Trump says the U.S. is not engaged in any talks with Iran as the two countries remain locked in a standoff over the Strait of Hormuz after almost six months of war.
Senior Israeli official calls for killing of "30 to 40" Gazans every night
Israel's far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir calls for nightly "targeted assassinations" in Gaza: "They're not even people."
Entertainment
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Entertainment
Top upcoming book to movie adaptations
Amazon Books editorial director Sarah Gelman joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss some of her favorite books coming to the big screen this year.
Hayden Panettiere's ex-fiancé in "profound shock" after her death
Hayden Panettiere, who shares a daughter with the former boxing champ, died on Sunday at 36 years old.
Hollywood grieves Hayden Panettiere
With no signs of foul play or trauma, authorities said the investigation into actor Hayden Panettiere's death is just beginning. The former child star was on "Guiding Light" and also had breakout roles in "Heroes" and "Nashville." She died at 36 years old. Mark Strassmann reports.
First witnesses speak in Tupac murder trial
Opening statements were delivered in Tupac Shakur's long-awaited murder trial on Monday. Nearly 30 years ago, the iconic rapper was killed in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, a pivotal moment in music history. CBS News legal reporter Katrina Kaufman reports.
Extended interview: Becky G
Becky G speaks with Gayle King about the latest developments in her career, her new music, the intersection of advocacy and art in her latest videos and more.
Technology
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Discord suspends livestreams in Brazil amid backlash over girl's suicide
Popular American chat app Discord says it suspended livestreams in line with a Brazilian government order, amid fierce criticism over a 13-year-old girl's death.
How this school uses AI instead of teachers
Alpha School is a private school that teaches students subjects like math and reading with artificial intelligence apps. Mackenzie Price, co-founder of Alpha School, 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.
States crack down on misleading home listings
More home listings are using AI to add furniture, repaint walls, spruce up landscaping and even add windows. But when does virtual staging cross the line into deception or even fraud? CBS News' Evyn Moon explores.
The iNaturalist app – Mixing science with fun
The iNaturalist cellphone app not only helps users identify plant, animal and insect species; it also provides invaluable data to scientists studying biodiversity, species decline, and habitat loss. It also provides opportunities for fun: David Pogue joins iNaturalist fan Martha Stewart in a "bioblitz" – a timed competition with other users to spot and ID species. (Originally broadcast March 22, 2026.)
Science
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A summer of extremes: Weathering a hotter world
July was the hottest month ever in the Lower 48 States – another escalation of our world into a hotter, more dangerous planet, where extreme weather events – such as heat waves, wildfires and hurricanes – will become more common and more extreme.
A summer of extremes: Weathering a hotter world
July was the hottest month ever in the Lower 48 States, breaking a record last set during the Dust Bowl – just another step in the escalation of our world into a hotter, more dangerous planet. Correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti talks with climate journalist Jeff Goodell and atmospheric scientist Maria Molina about how changes in Earth's climate are increasing the likelihood that extreme weather events – such as heat waves, wildfires and hurricanes – will become more common and more extreme.
Views of the total solar eclipse in Europe
A total solar eclipse was visible in parts of Europe for the first time since 1912. Rob Marciano reports.
Europe sees total solar eclipse
A total solar eclipse turned day into night across a slice of Europe and North America on Wednesday, and put millions in unique contact with the heavens above. Meteorologist Rob Marciano reports from Spain.
Astronomy professor on how eclipses work
Janna Levin, professor of physics and astronomy at Barnard College, joins CBS News to discuss Wednesday's total solar eclipse.
Crime
More Crime
Trial opens 32 years after American woman murdered in Germany
The man is accused of luring Amy Lopez under false pretenses into a secluded room, where he then allegedly handcuffed her, sexually assaulted her and killed her.
Major cocaine bust at Penn State
More than a dozen current and former Penn State University students, along with one of their parents, have been charged in a major cocaine trafficking ring. Prosecutors allege two off-campus fraternities appeared to be the hubs for the operation. Meg Oliver reports.
Coke drug ring bust at Penn State
More than a dozen current and former fraternity-affiliated students at the Pennsylvania State University, and a parent, have been charged with drug-related charges after a cocaine bust at the school. CBS News' Meg Oliver reports.
Search for retiree who disappeared in Vegas
After a 63-year-old woman in Las Vegas didn't return from a trip to the drugstore, her family said they started getting text messages from the woman's phone. The family spoke with Nicole Valdes.
Lindsay Clancy's mom and sister testify
The defense began its work on Monday in the case of Lindsay Clancy, the Massachusetts woman on trial for killing her three children. Her mother and sister took the stand and Shanelle Kaul has the details.
Space
More Space
New space object called "black hole star" discovered by astronomers
The newly discovered object looks like a star the size of our solar system, but produces 100 billion times more energy than any star.
Stunning photos show total solar eclipse over Europe
The only total solar eclipse of 2026 crossed the Northern Hemisphere Wednesday, with a path of totality across parts of Greenland, Iceland and northern Spain. See photos and video from the best viewing locations.
Perseid meteor shower reaches peak viewing on Wednesday night
The Perseid meteor shower is the best viewing all year, according to NASA.
Most detailed images taken of sun's surface revealed
Researchers were able to peek at the sun's scorching surface with the help of the National Science Foundation's Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, located on the island of Maui in Hawaii.
SpaceX rocket booster slams into moon, creating crater that could be 16 feet deep
The impact wasn't visible to the naked eye, but photos are expected to come from a lunar satellite at a later time.
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.
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.
Timeline: The disappearance of George Smith
Family seeks answers in death of newlywed who disappeared in 2005 while on Mediterranean honeymoon cruise.
Latest CBS News Videos
More Latest CBS News Videos
Latest CBS News Videos
Top upcoming book to movie adaptations
Amazon Books editorial director Sarah Gelman joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss some of her favorite books coming to the big screen this year.
Where to get the latest CBS Mornings Deals
On this edition of CBS Mornings Deals, we show you items that will help improve your everyday lifestyle. Visit cbsdeals.com to take advantage of these exclusive deals today. CBS earns commissions on purchases made through cbsdeals.com.
Health checklist as kids head back to school
As kids head back to school, pediatrician Dr. Amanda Kravitz shares a health and wellness checklist for every parent - from managing sleep and stress to your child's vaccinations and mental health.
Defense begins in Lindsay Clancy trial
CBS News legal contributor Caroline Polisi breaks down the latest testimony in the Lindsay Clancy trial from Clancy's family members after the prosecution rested its case on Monday.
U.S. Navy ship lost power for days
The USS Benfold, a U.S. Navy destroyer, lost power for four days during its deployment off the coast of Southeast Asia last month. The Navy said there were no injuries, but the cause of the loss of power is still under investigation. Charlie D'Agata has more.