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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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2 wounded in Black Friday shooting at mall in Little Rock, Arkansas
The shooting occurred Friday afternoon at Park Plaza in Little Rock, Arkansas. Both victims are expected to make full recoveries, police said.
L.A., a city of immigrants, braces for Trump's vow of mass deportations
The Los Angeles City Council earlier this month approved an ordinance declaring itself a sanctuary city in defiance of President-elect Donald Trump's deportation plan.
S&P 500 and Dow notch gains, capping Wall Street's best month of 2024
Stocks posted solid gains on Black Friday as Wall Street posted its best monthly performance of the year.
This week on "Sunday Morning" (December 1)
A look at the features for this week's broadcast of the Emmy-winning program, hosted by Jane Pauley.
Some retailers tell consumers Trump's tariffs are a reason to buy now
Some companies are weaving Trump's tariffs into their marketing efforts, telling consumers to buy now in case prices rise.
MoneyWatch
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S&P 500 and Dow notch gains, capping Wall Street's best month of 2024
Stocks posted solid gains on Black Friday as Wall Street posted its best monthly performance of the year.
Some retailers tell consumers Trump's tariffs are a reason to buy now
Some companies are weaving Trump's tariffs into their marketing efforts, telling consumers to buy now in case prices rise.
Some Costco eggs are recalled due to risk of salmonella
The organic eggs, sold in packages of two dozen, were sold in 25 Costco stores across several states. Here's what to know.
What's open on Black Friday, from the post office to the stock market
Black Friday is a major shopping day for the nation's retailers. Here's what's happening with the stock market and USPS.
Canada's antitrust watchdog files lawsuit against Google over its ad business
Canada's Competition Bureau says that an investigation found the company "unlawfully" tied together its ad tech tools to maintain its dominant market position.
Politics
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L.A., a city of immigrants, braces for Trump's vow of mass deportations
The Los Angeles City Council earlier this month approved an ordinance declaring itself a sanctuary city in defiance of President-elect Donald Trump's deportation plan.
Trudeau travels to Florida to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago
The Canadian prime minister earlier cautioned that imposing sweeping tariffs on Canadian products would only raise prices for Americans and hurt American businesses.
LGBTQ Americans and the 2024 election: "I don't feel welcome here."
LGBTQ voters were among the only demographic groups that did not move more toward Trump in the 2024 election.
Fact check of Trump's "border czar" claims on noncitizens with convictions
As Donald Trump's second term approaches, Republicans have cited inflated figures on noncitizens with criminal records.
The White House's history with Thanksgiving, and how the turkey pardon came to be
The history of White House Thanksgiving traditions date back more than 160 years to President Abraham Lincoln, who established the national holiday.
HealthWatch
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HealthWatch
Are there really risks to fluoride in water?
President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., says fluoride can cause health problems and wants it removed from our drinking water. CBS News medical contributor Dr. Celine Gounder, editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, has more on the risks and benefits that come with fluoride.
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.
World
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Trudeau travels to Florida to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago
The Canadian prime minister earlier cautioned that imposing sweeping tariffs on Canadian products would only raise prices for Americans and hurt American businesses.
Book excerpt: "Freedom: Memoirs 1954-2021" by Angela Merkel
The former Chancellor of Germany writes about two lives: her early years growing up under a Communist-controlled police state in East Germany, and her years as leader of a nation reunited following the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Book excerpt: "The Barn" by Wright Thompson
The author's New York Times bestseller explores the culture of silence that enveloped the Mississippi Delta over the 1955 murder of Emmett Till.
Woman, 2 girls crushed to death outside Gaza bakery amid food shortage
The bodies of two girls and a 50-year-old woman were taken to a hospital where a doctor confirmed that they died from suffocation.
Actor dies during performance of "A Christmas Carol"
Julien Arnold, 60, was playing the roles of Marley and Mr. Fezziwig in "A Christmas Carol" when he experienced a medical emergency.
Entertainment
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Actor dies during performance of "A Christmas Carol"
Julien Arnold, 60, was playing the roles of Marley and Mr. Fezziwig in "A Christmas Carol" when he experienced a medical emergency.
Birthday surprise for Adriana Diaz
Adriana Diaz is turning 40. To help her celebrate, "CBS Mornings" surprised her with an appearance from award-winning singer-songwriter Ben Abraham and cake from her family.
"Mornings Memory": Watching TV on your phone
Watching videos on your phone is second nature now but it wasn't always like that. Back on this day in 2005, Anthony Mason reported on this new trend.
Tyler Carson, the "Fiddler on the Rock"
Violinist Tyler Carson is known professionally as the "Fiddler on the Rock," for his performances from the famous Red Rocks of Sedona, Arizona. Natalie Morales spoke with Carson about how an unexpected turn in his life drew him to the inspiring and spiritual landscape of beauty, hope and healing.
Jon Batiste, Ledisi, Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle to do Super Bowl preshow
The performances will take place Feb. 9 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans before the NFL's championship matchup and halftime show featuring rap megastar Kendrick Lamar.
Technology
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Canada's antitrust watchdog files lawsuit against Google over its ad business
Canada's Competition Bureau says that an investigation found the company "unlawfully" tied together its ad tech tools to maintain its dominant market position.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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2 wounded in Black Friday shooting at mall in Little Rock, Arkansas
The shooting occurred Friday afternoon at Park Plaza in Little Rock, Arkansas. Both victims are expected to make full recoveries, police said.
Police officer killed in shooting in Oak Park; suspect in custody
Oak Park Police Detective Allan Reddins was the first Oak Park officer killed in the line of duty since 1938.
Firefighter had visited woman found dead in house fire
On Thanksgiving Eve in 2020, an expectant mother was found dead inside her burning Illinois home. It was not immediately clear what caused her death. She had been involved with a firefighter – someone trained to save lives. Could he have set a fire to cover her murder? "48 Hours" contributor Nikki Battiste reports for this week's "48 Hours."
Teen escapes 12 years after abduction; school bus driver arrested
The victim's captor allegedly changed the girl's name, kept her out of sight and out of school.
Did an Illinois firefighter have a secret he was willing to kill for?
When Melissa Lamesch is found dead at home in Mt. Morris, Illinois, on the day before Thanksgiving, authorities zero in on Matthew Plote, a man trained to save lives, not take them.
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
The Uplift: The science of happiness
David Begnaud talks to a Harvard professor who studies the science of happiness. Steve Hartman shares a lesson in patience. Plus more heartwarming stories.
Hiker missing for more than 5 weeks is found
A 20-year-old hiker who went missing for almost six weeks in the Canadian Rocky Mountains was found alive this week and is recovering in a hospital. He was found on a service road Tuesday, frostbitten and using walking sticks for support. Tom Hanson has the extraordinary story.
"CBS Evening News" headlines for Nov. 29, 2024
Here's a look at the top stories making headlines on the "CBS Evening News" with Nancy Cordes.
L.A. braces for Trump's vow of mass deportations
The Los Angeles City Council earlier this month approved an ordinance declaring itself a sanctuary city in defiance of President-elect Donald Trump's deportation plan. But post-election fears are running high in the city. Andres Gutierrez has more.
The first look inside Notre Dame after the fire
The world is getting its first look inside Paris' iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, nearly six years after it was ravaged by a fire. French President Emmanuel Macron took a televised tour Friday of the stunning new interior, eight days ahead of its official reopening.