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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.
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The Indigenous foods Native American chefs urge people to try
Celebrating Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Day this week highlights the importance of recognizing indigenous cuisines in the United States and the authentic, sustainable food it offers.
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour book hits stores Friday. Here's what to know.
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour book goes on sale Friday. Here's the only place to buy it, how much it costs and what you'll get.
Canada weighing how to retaliate if Trump imposes 25% tariffs
A full-blown trade war between the U.S. and Canada could lead to a recession in both countries, economist says.
Alabama A&M says player is stable, hours after announcing his death
Linebacker Medrick Burnett Jr. sustained a head injury in an October game against Alabama State and has been hospitalized since.
How to navigate tough conversations at the Thanksgiving table
A seventh grade media literacy class in New York is learning how to have difficult but empathetic questions as they combat misinformation.
MoneyWatch
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Taylor Swift's Eras Tour book hits stores Friday. Here's what to know.
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour book goes on sale Friday. Here's the only place to buy it, how much it costs and what you'll get.
Canada weighing how to retaliate if Trump imposes 25% tariffs
A full-blown trade war between the U.S. and Canada could lead to a recession in both countries, economist says.
What businesses are open and closed on Thanksgiving Day?
Need to shop on Thanksgiving? Here's what stores, restaurants, and other businesses are open and closed on Turkey Day.
Has tipping reached a tipping point?
A November 2023 survey from the Pew Research Center found that 72% of people think tipping is expected in more places than it was five years ago.
How Trump's economic agenda could affect mortgage rates in 2025
Here's what a noted housing expert thinks will happen to mortgage rates next year as Donald Trump outlines his priorities.
Politics
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A look at Trump's campaign promise to recognize North Carolina's Lumbee Tribe
Then-candidate Donald Trump in September promised that he would sign legislation to grant federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe.
Bidens spending last Thanksgiving as president on Nantucket, a family tradition
"Whatever bumps and bruises we were suffering, we put it all aside and celebrated Thanksgiving in Nantucket," President Biden wrote in his 2017 book "Promise Me, Dad."
Trump says Mexican leader agrees to "effectively closing" southern border
Trump's claims President Claudia Sheinbaum "agreed to stop migration through Mexico." She says she "explained" what Mexico was already doing.
Zuckerberg meets with Trump at Mar-a-Lago
The tech CEO has been seeking to change his company's perception on the right following a rocky relationship with President-elect Donald Trump.
Ex-Sen. Bob Menendez seeks new trial
Former Sen. Bob Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, was convicted of 16 felony counts in July.
HealthWatch
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New Mexico man awarded $412 million for botched penile injections
The man's attorneys said the punitive and compensatory damages total the largest amount to ever be awarded by a jury in a medical malpractice case in the U.S.
Why does eating turkey make you sleepy? Thanksgiving fatigue, explained.
Tired from your Thanksgiving feast? You're not alone. But is it the tryptophan in turkey that leads to our food comas? Here's what experts say.
Thanksgiving foods cats and dogs can (and can't) eat
Can cats and dogs eat turkey and other Thanksgiving foods? Here's what experts say about what is safe and not.
A toddler got a nasal swab test. So why was the bill $445?
An Illinois mom got stuck with a big bill after taking her 3-year-old to the ER but never seeing a doctor. "It's mind-blowing," she said.
Why we eat turkey on Thanksgiving, according to history
Why is Thanksgiving traditionally associated with turkey and other specific foods? We asked a history expert why we eat what we do on the holiday.
World
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Missing hiker found alive after surviving 6 weeks in Canada wilderness
A missing hiker was found alive this week in the remote Canadian wilderness, where he had been missing since October.
Dog found 9 days after escaping from plane at Paris airport
Amalka, a female, slipped out of a carrier cage on November 19 during an unloading operation.
Canada weighing how to retaliate if Trump imposes 25% tariffs
A full-blown trade war between the U.S. and Canada could lead to a recession in both countries, economist says.
Doctor suspected of killing 8 patients: "Lust for murder"
"The accused appears to have had no motive for killing the people other than the act of killing itself," prosecutors said.
Tennis star Iga Swiatek gets one-month suspension in doping case
Iga Swiatek is a 23-year-old from Poland who was ranked No. 1 most of the past two seasons but is now at No. 2.
Entertainment
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Taylor Swift's Eras Tour book hits stores Friday. Here's what to know.
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour book goes on sale Friday. Here's the only place to buy it, how much it costs and what you'll get.
Former TV host Charlie Rose settles sexual harassment lawsuit
In settling, the three plaintiffs said they assign no "ill intent" to Rose and realize now that his conduct could be subject to interpretation.
Sean "Diddy" Combs denied bail again ahead of sex trafficking trial
Sean "Diddy" Combs' lawyers again asked the rapper be released on bond ahead of his trial, but the request was denied.
Grateful Dead remembers band member Phil Lesh
Members of the iconic band, the Grateful Dead, reflected on the impact bandmate Phil Lesh had on their lives and said they had hoped to play together again.
Grateful Dead bandmates remember Phil Lesh
Iconic band The Grateful Dead, is remembering one of the band's original members, Phil Lesh, who died in October at 84 years old. The surviving original members of the band credit Lesh for the impact he made in each of their lives and revealed they were hoping to play together one more time.
Technology
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Zuckerberg meets with Trump at Mar-a-Lago
The tech CEO has been seeking to change his company's perception on the right following a rocky relationship with President-elect Donald Trump.
Australian parliament approves law to ban under-16s from social media
Australia's full legislature has now passed a bill that will soon ban children under the age of 16 from using most social media platforms.
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.
AI grandma tool helps fend off phone scams
British phone company Virgin Media O2 has developed an AI-generated grandmother to talk to scammers all day and waste their time so you don't have to. CBS News Confirmed executive producer Melissa Mahtani has more on the "grandma" and how you can protect yourself from phone scams.
Starbucks impacted by ransomware attack on software vendor
Starbucks managers forced to rely on manual systems to handle baristas' pay, but customers unaffected.
Science
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NASA shows off image of U.S. military's abandoned "city under the ice"
Scientists now have a clearer picture of Camp Century, an abandoned U.S. military base long hidden under the ice in Greenland, thanks to a NASA research team's good luck.
Divided U.N. negotiations for plastic treaty
Negotiators are far apart as the United Nations tries to work out the world's first treaty to curb plastic pollution. Issues creating roadblocks include limiting new manufacturing of plastic and the potential phasing out of some chemicals. For more on the talks, CBS News was joined by Erin Simon, vice president and head of plastic waste and business for the World Wildlife Fund in the U.S.
Honolulu hopes to identify long-unclaimed bodies with advanced DNA testing
Forensic pathologists hope advanced DNA testing technology will enable them to attach names to all the unidentified people at the Honolulu Medical Examiner's Office.
Dishing up space food
At the Johnson Space Food Systems Laboratory in Houston, NASA scientists develop dishes – freeze-dried, heat-stabilized, or irradiated – to serve on the International Space Station. Correspondent David Pogue checks out what's on the menu in Earth orbit.
How are U.S. winters permanently changing?
This winter, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted above-average temperatures throughout the U.S. because of a "slowly developing" La Niña pattern. CBS News Sacramento meteorologist Tracy Humphrey reports on the changing winter conditions.
Crime
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Doctor suspected of killing 8 patients: "Lust for murder"
"The accused appears to have had no motive for killing the people other than the act of killing itself," prosecutors said.
Chilling details emerge after Montana camper's brutal murder
Dustin Kjersem's death was initially reported as a bear attack after his girlfriend found his body in a tent on Oct. 12.
1,400 tons of drugs, "narco subs" found on new Pacific trafficking route
More than 400 people were arrested in the operation targeting oceans, coasts, rivers and ports around the globe in October and November.
Sean "Diddy" Combs denied bail again ahead of sex trafficking trial
Sean "Diddy" Combs' lawyers again asked the rapper be released on bond ahead of his trial, but the request was denied.
Accused "Pink Panthers" member among 11 nabbed in cocaine bust
Police in the Balkans arrested 11 alleged members of a criminal syndicate responsible for smuggling cocaine from South America to Europe, officials said.
Space
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Webb telescope captures stunning new image of the "Sombrero galaxy"
The Sombrero galaxy, named for its resemblance to the Mexican hat, is about 30 million light-years from Earth.
Blue Origin launches 6 tourists to the edge of space
Marc and Sharon Hagle, both making their second space flight, were among the passengers for the NS-28 mission.
Blue Origin launches 9th space tourism flight
The ninth Blue Origin space tourism flight launched from West Texas Friday morning. CBS News space consultant Bill Harwood and space expert Scott Heidler offered analysis of the flight.
Trump, Musk attend SpaceX launch
President-elect Donald Trump attended SpaceX's sixth flight test of its Super Heavy-Starship on Tuesday with CEO Elon Musk. The burgeoning friendship between the two men played a key role in Trump's reelection, with Musk now set to run a government efficiency agency in the coming months. CBS News political reporter Jake Rosen and Politico aviation reporter Oriana Pawlyk join "America Decides" with more.
SpaceX launches Super Heavy-Starship, with Trump there to watch
President-elect Donald Trump was on hand with Elon Musk for the sixth test flight of SpaceX's huge Super Heavy-Starship rocket.
Latest Galleries
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Notable Deaths in 2024
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Serial killer Rodney Alcala's secret photos
See some of convicted serial killer Rodney Alcala's photographs that were discovered by detectives in a Seattle storage locker.
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.
Evidence in "The Dexter Killer" case
A look at the evidence in "The Dexter Killer" case; plus, newly revealed letters from the man police say wanted to be like fictional serial killer Dexter Morgan.
Summer music heats up 2024
Live performances are in full swing this summer. Scroll through our concert gallery, featuring pictures by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.
Latest CBS News Videos
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Latest CBS News Videos
Giving thanks for a special home in America
This Thanksgiving, CBS News New York's Jessi Mitchell introduces us to a family who is spending their holiday giving thanks to not only their family, but the special place they call home.
Inside the real history of Thanksgiving
Historian Kenneth C. Davis, the bestselling author of "Don't Know Much About History" and "The World in Books," joined "CBS Mornings Plus" to discuss the history behind Thanksgiving and some of the traditions that go along with the holiday.
"Mornings Memory": Harvesting cranberries
Thanksgiving isn't complete without a side of cranberries, but it's pretty tough work to harvest them. That's what a CBS News crew discovered on this day in 2002.
Pro Volleyball Federation's Whitney Bower
Atlanta Vibe setter Whitney Bower, 23, joined "CBS Mornings Plus" to discuss the upcoming second season of the Pro Volleyball Federation and the draft of collegiate players held earlier this week.
Trump memorandum of understanding with DOJ
Officials with the Biden administration said Tuesday that President-elect Donald Trump's transition team has yet to agree to terms on a memorandum of understanding with the Justice Department, which will allow for the processing of security clearance requests. CBS News national security contributor Samantha Vinograd has more.