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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.
American woman, detained in February by Taliban, released, source says
Zalmay Khalilzad, a former U.S. envoy to Kabul who is working on Taliban hostage releases, posted a picture of Faye Hall smiling with Qatar representatives ahead of her departure from Afghanistan on Saturday.
Satanist group attempts to hold Black Mass at Kansas Statehouse, 4 arrested
About 30 members of the Kansas City group Satanic Grotto rallied outside the Statehouse for the separation of church and state on Friday.
Millions of bees have died this year: "Worst bee loss in recorded history"
Bees play a key role in the U.S. food supply, and the mass deaths could jeopardize that.
Exclusive
U.S. Institute of Peace staff receive termination notices, sources say
The nonprofit institute's mission is to promote conflict resolution and the prevention of conflicts globally.
Close call between Delta flight, Air Force jet near Reagan National
The incident occurred just after the Delta Air Lines flight had taken off from Reagan National Airport.
MoneyWatch
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Trump's changes to the Social Security Administration have many seniors alarmed
The average wait time for Social Security calls has doubled in the last six months to 104 minutes.
Elon Musk's xAI to acquire his X social media platform
The companies are being combined in an all-stock deal that values xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion, factoring in the social network's $12 billion debt.
UAW's Shawn Fain slams Trump executive order targeting federal unions
UAW president Shawn Fain said Trump's order to end collective bargaining for swath of federal workers would cost 700,000 people their union contracts.
Federal judge blocks mass firings of CFPB workers
A federal judge has blocked the mass firings of employees at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Flight bookings between Canada and the U.S. plunge amid trade war
Airlines are seeing lower demand from Canadians looking to travel to the U.S. amid a brewing U.S.-Canada trade war.
Politics
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Satanist group attempts to hold Black Mass at Kansas Statehouse, 4 arrested
About 30 members of the Kansas City group Satanic Grotto rallied outside the Statehouse for the separation of church and state on Friday.
Danish minister scolds Trump administration after Greenland trip
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen posted a video on social media scolding the Trump administration hours after Vice President JD Vance's visit to Greenland.
Exclusive
U.S. Institute of Peace staff receive termination notices, sources say
The nonprofit institute's mission is to promote conflict resolution and the prevention of conflicts globally.
FDA's top vaccine official forced out, decries RFK Jr.'s "misinformation and lies"
A Department of Health and Human Services official delivered an ultimatum to Dr. Peter Marks: either resign or be fired.
Trump's changes to the Social Security Administration have many seniors alarmed
The average wait time for Social Security calls has doubled in the last six months to 104 minutes.
HealthWatch
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FDA's top vaccine official forced out, decries RFK Jr.'s "misinformation and lies"
A Department of Health and Human Services official delivered an ultimatum to Dr. Peter Marks: either resign or be fired.
RFK Jr. to gut vaccine promotion and HIV prevention office, sources say
Much of the federal government's efforts to buoy lagging childhood vaccination rates have been run through the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy.
Utah becomes first state to ban adding fluoride to public water systems
Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox signed a bill banning fluoride from public water supplies. The ban will take effect in May.
Kansas reports measles outbreak with 23 cases
23 measles cases have been confirmed in Kansas, marking an outbreak for the state, according to local health officials. Ohio has reported 10 cases.
Trump administration to shrink federal health agencies by 20,000 employees
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy will cut 3,500 jobs from the Food and Drug Administration and 2,400 from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
World
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Specialized U.S. Navy dive team, engineers join recovery search for 4 soldiers
A specialized U.S. Navy dive team and a group of Polish engineers have joined the recovery operation for the four U.S. soldiers who went missing in Lithuania.
American woman, detained in February by Taliban, released, source says
Zalmay Khalilzad, a former U.S. envoy to Kabul who is working on Taliban hostage releases, posted a picture of Faye Hall smiling with Qatar representatives ahead of her departure from Afghanistan on Saturday.
Australian town looking for doctor offers $400,000 salary, free rent
The remote Australia town of Julia Creek has a population of just 500 and is a seven-hour drive from the nearest major city.
U.S. warns of possible attacks in Syria during the Eid holiday
The U.S. has warned of an increased possibility of attacks in Syria during the Eid el-Fitr holiday that marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Danish minister scolds Trump administration after Greenland trip
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen posted a video on social media scolding the Trump administration hours after Vice President JD Vance's visit to Greenland.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
Lucy Dacus performs "For Keeps"
Singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus is back with her first solo project in four years. "Forever Is A Feeling" follows Dacus' whirlwind, Grammy-winning success with the supergroup Boygenius. She wrote the songs on tour and was inspired by her romance with bandmate Julien Baker. Now, from "Forever Is A Feeling," here is Lucy Dacus with "For Keeps."
Lucy Dacus performs "Big Deal"
Singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus is back with her first solo project in four years. "Forever Is A Feeling" follows Dacus' whirlwind, Grammy-winning success with the supergroup Boygenius. She wrote the songs on tour and was inspired by her romance with bandmate Julien Baker. Now, from "Forever Is A Feeling," here is Lucy Dacus with "Big Deal."
Lucy Dacus performs "Ankles"
Singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus is back with her first solo project in four years. "Forever Is A Feeling" follows Dacus' whirlwind, Grammy-winning success with the supergroup Boygenius. She wrote the songs on tour and was inspired by her romance with bandmate Julien Baker. Now, from "Forever Is A Feeling," here is Lucy Dacus with "Ankles."
Lucy Dacus talks "Forever Is A Feeling"
Singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus is back with her first solo project in four years. "Forever Is A Feeling" follows Dacus' whirlwind, Grammy-winning success with the supergroup Boygenius. She opened up about writing the album while on tour with the group, and how her romance with bandmate Julien Baker inspired the new songs.
How to watch Elite 8 March Madness games live for the 2025 NCAA Tournament
Want to stream the Elite 8 March Madness games? Here's the schedule and how to watch the NCAA tournament games live.
Technology
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Technology
Growing demand to power AI, cryptocurrency
As cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence advancements are made, U.S. demand for the energy needed to power massive mining and data centers grows. David Turk, former deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, joins "The Daily Report" to discuss how much energy the U.S. needs and the potential environmental impacts.
Waltz's Venmo showed his contacts — even after bombshell report on Signal chat
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles was among the contacts listed in Waltz's Venmo account.
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.
Lawsuit against OpenAI over newspaper copyright can proceed, judge rules
Several newspapers have sued OpenAI and Microsoft, seeking to end the practice of using their stories to train artificial intelligence chatbots.
What is Signal, the app used by Trump's team
The Senate Intelligence Committee heard testimony on Tuesday from key players involved in a group chat on the messaging app Signal, in which the U.S.'s highly sensitive plans to bomb Houthi targets in Yemen were discussed inadvertently with a journalist. President Trump said that his administration would investigate the government's use of Signal. CBS News contributor and former CIA official Andrew Boyd has more on what it is and how it's used.
Science
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Is carbon capture a solution to the climate crisis?
Carbon capture chemically removes CO2 from the air, to store or recycle into products. But is this technology – underwritten by the fossil fuel industry – an effective means to address climate change?
Is carbon capture a solution to the climate crisis?
As a tool to address rising greenhouse gas emissions, carbon capture chemically removes carbon dioxide from the air, to store or recycle into products. The company behind a new plant to be opened this summer claims the facility will remove 500,000 tons of CO2 a year. But is this form of carbon capture – underwritten by the fossil fuel industry – an effective means to address climate change? Correspondent David Pogue looks at the technology behind this initiative, and the controversy it has raised.
Bones of mammoths butchered for their tusks unearthed by archaeologists
Remains of five mammoths were found archaeologists from the Austrian Academy of Sciences said Thursday in a news statement.
Venus will pass between the Earth and sun on Saturday
Our planet's closest and brightest neighbor will pass approximately between the Earth and sun this week, in what's called an inferior conjunction.
New evidence about dark energy may be "cusp of a major discovery"
The new findings come from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), which sits on a telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona.
Crime
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Crime
Utah law to protect child influencers
Utah is establishing legal protections for children who are social media influencers. This comes as cases of abuse emerge among parents with kids in the industry. Tiffany Li, a technology attorney, joins CBS News with more details.
Case of stepson allegedly held captive
A judge held a hearing in the case against a Connecticut woman accused of keeping her stepson captive for 20 years. This comes as the man's biological mother speaks out about the alleged abuse.
Second South Carolina inmate on death row chooses firing squad
Mikal Mahdi, who pleaded guilty to murder for killing a police officer in 2004, is scheduled to be executed April 11.
Lawyers say execution of morbidly obese inmate could be botched
Lawyers for convicted murderer Michael Tanzi say that his weight and health conditions could cause a lethal injection cocktail to fail.
Survivors give victims a voice at murder trial
"48 Hours" correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti speaks to one of seven Jane Does who testified at the trial of David Pearce, the Los Angeles man charged with murder in the overdose deaths of friends Christy Giles and Hilda Marcela Cabrales in 2021.
Space
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Mae Jemison on making history in space and inspiring change on Earth
Dr. Mae Jemison, the first woman of color in space, shares wisdom and encouragement with "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King ahead of King's upcoming Blue Origin launch.
When, where to see the March partial solar eclipse
Astronomy fans figuring out where and what time to see the March 29, 2025, partial solar eclipse can check out a map from NASA.
William Shatner offers Gayle King advice before women-led space flight
William Shatner, who became the oldest person to travel to space at age 90, is offering encouragement and practical advice to Gayle King and the all-female crew launching April 14.
Democrats warn of cuts to space office
Democratic members of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee are warning that Department of Government Efficiency cuts to the Office of Space Commerce at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration could harm American interests. CBS News' Natalie Brand reports.
What to know as Gayle King gears up for April space flight
Gayle King will step out of her comfort zone and into a space suit alongside Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen and Kerianne Flynn.
Latest Galleries
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Notable Deaths in 2025
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Husband pieces together wife's last movements to find out how she was killed
A look into a grieving husband Jan Cilliers' investigative work after his wife Christy Giles and her friend Hilda Marcela Cabrales died after a night out.
The Scott Peterson case: New evidence?
Peterson's death sentence for the murder of his pregnant wife Laci has been overturned. Now his supporters are pushing for a complete retrial.
The troubled marriage of Ashley and Doug Benefield
The seesaw marriage between the former ballerina and her much older husband only lasted four years, until she shot him on Sept. 27, 2020.
Texas couple investigates teen daughter's unusual death
Cayley Mandadi's mother and stepfather go to extreme lengths to prove her death was no accident.
Latest CBS News Videos
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Latest CBS News Videos
Voice of America | Sunday on 60 Minutes
Voice of America, the U.S. government-funded international broadcaster with an 83-year history, is now off the air due to a Trump administration executive order. Bill Whitaker reports, Sunday.
Braving a Portuguese toboggan ride
On one small Portuguese island, a former mode of transportation has become an iconic tourist attraction. Madeira, off the coast of Africa, has a famous toboggan ride that's like downhill skiing without the brakes.
Lucy Dacus performs "For Keeps"
Singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus is back with her first solo project in four years. "Forever Is A Feeling" follows Dacus' whirlwind, Grammy-winning success with the supergroup Boygenius. She wrote the songs on tour and was inspired by her romance with bandmate Julien Baker. Now, from "Forever Is A Feeling," here is Lucy Dacus with "For Keeps."
Lucy Dacus performs "Big Deal"
Singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus is back with her first solo project in four years. "Forever Is A Feeling" follows Dacus' whirlwind, Grammy-winning success with the supergroup Boygenius. She wrote the songs on tour and was inspired by her romance with bandmate Julien Baker. Now, from "Forever Is A Feeling," here is Lucy Dacus with "Big Deal."
Lucy Dacus performs "Ankles"
Singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus is back with her first solo project in four years. "Forever Is A Feeling" follows Dacus' whirlwind, Grammy-winning success with the supergroup Boygenius. She wrote the songs on tour and was inspired by her romance with bandmate Julien Baker. Now, from "Forever Is A Feeling," here is Lucy Dacus with "Ankles."
