For decades, U.S. hospitals have generally stonewalled patients who wanted to know ahead of time how much their care would cost. Now that’s changing — but there’s a vigorous debate over what hospitals are disclosing.

Under a federal rule in effect since 2021, hospitals nationwide have been laboring to post a mountain of data online that ...Read more

(Editor’s note: If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.)

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Almost everyone agrees that putting money behind the national suicide and crisis hotline is a good thing.

But not everyone thinks a new phone tax is the best way to pay for it.

Since the crisis line’s easy-to-remember 988 number ...Read more

A cornea transplant, or keratoplasty, is an operation to replace part of the cornea with corneal tissue from a donor. The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped surface of the eye. Light enters the eye through the cornea.

Nearly 80,000 corneal transplants were performed worldwide in 2021, according to the Eye Bank Association of America. More ...Read more

MANKATO, Minn. — Congratulations on setting a goal to run a long-distance race. You've just joined a group of more than 60 million people in the U.S. who participate in organized runs and races. Running doesn't require much gear, but well-fitting, running-specific shoes are a must.

"Someone training for a long-distance run such as a marathon ...Read more

Several people protesting a controversial bill banning gender-affirming care for trans youth were arrested at the Kentucky Capitol Wednesday.

The arrests came as the House took up the matter of overriding Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto of Senate Bill 150.

The Kentucky State Police did not immediately respond to a Herald-Leader request for comment...Read more

On March 29, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan for over-the-counter sale. Narcan is the 4-milligram nasal spray version of naloxone, a medication that can quickly counteract an opioid overdose.

The FDA’s greenlighting of over-the-counter naloxone means that it will be available for purchase without a ...Read more

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Republican-dominated Kentucky General Assembly acted swiftly Wednesday to override Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto of the controversial Senate Bill 150, which bans gender-affirming care for trans youth.

The override began Wednesday in the Senate, the chamber of origin, with a 29-8 vote. Just one Republican voted to ...Read more

Healthy eating is not a black and white issue. It’s shades of gray — and sweets are definitely in the gray area. It’s true, sugary-filled treats shouldn’t be a major part of your diet. However, there’s also no reason why they need to be banned entirely. In fact, for many, swearing off favorite treats may cause feelings of deprivation, ...Read more

Times are hard. The current political climate, war, impact of global warming, continued inequities due to systemic racism, and ongoing physical and mental health challenges from COVID-19 are taking a toll on our feelings of safety in the world and quality of life. Hopefully, each of us can find moments of ease and temporarily shift our thoughts ...Read more

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’m expecting my first baby and feeling a range of emotions, from anticipation to apprehension, for labor and delivery. A friend suggested that I create a birth plan to identify my wishes for labor and after the baby is born. Why is it important to have a birth plan and discuss it with my health care team before I go into ...Read more

Tick season is underway in much of the U.S. This season, another tick-borne disease is on the list of concerns. That's because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found a significant increase in reported cases of babesiosis (bah-beez-E-oh-sis) infection in eastern parts of the U.S.

"Babesiosis is another tick-borne disease that ...Read more

Colorectal cancer is a term that combines both colon cancer and rectal cancers. The colon and rectum are two different parts of the lower digestive tract. These different cancers also mean different approaches to treatment that may involve the use of radiation and chemotherapy in addition to surgery.

When it comes to treating cancer, experience...Read more

If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing “988,” or the Crisis Text Line by texting “HOME” to 741741.

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In the weeks after Stanford University soccer goalie Katie Meyer, 22, died by suicide last March, her grieving teammates were inseparable even when ...Read more

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring an increase in invasive group A Streptococcus infections in children.

"Group A streptococcal disease is a group of conditions caused by a bacteria called 'group A strep,'" says Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a pediatric infectious diseases physician with the Mayo Clinic Children's Center. "...Read more

A U.S. lawmaker is taking action after a KHN investigation exposed weaknesses in the federal system meant to stop repeat Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, said he decided to introduce a bill in the House late last week after KHN’s reporting revealed what he called a “shocking loophole.”

“The ability of...Read more

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration issued a warning on Mar. 21, 2023, about an increase in trafficking of fentanyl adulterated with xylazine, which can increase the risk of overdosing on an already deadly drug. Xylazine is increasingly appearing within the U.S. supply of illicit opioids like fentanyl and heroin. The agency noted that it...Read more

LOS ANGELES — The government is ready to declare COVID-19 over: The nationwide state of emergency is set to end on May 11. In California, the state of emergency concluded in February. Johns Hopkins University shut down its nationwide COVID-19 data tracking this month.

But COVID-19 isn't gone. Though cases and deaths are on a downswing, plenty...Read more

Tuberculosis cases have increased for the second year in a row, according to a March 2023 report from the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While incidence of tuberculosis within the U.S. declined substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic, cases of the disease are now returning to pre-pandemic levels.

“During 2022, ...Read more

In 1976, a woman from Roanoke, Virginia, named Rhoda received a prescription for two drugs: estrogen and progestin. Twelve months later, a local reporter noted Rhoda’s surprisingly soft skin and visible breasts. He wrote that the drugs had made her “so completely female.”

Indeed, that was the point. The University of Virginia ...Read more