NPR News

For more stories on New York State, check out The Innovation Trail.
Half Of States May Not Expand Medicaid Under Obamacare
Florida is one of the latest states to decide to pass on the option to expand Medicaid coverage and have the feds pick up the tab. Over half of the states — including Texas and most of the states in the South — have decided against Medicaid expansion. We take a look at the consequences for hospitals and for millions of low-income Americans who, at least for now, will be left out of the healthcare overhaul.
Government Data Reveals Wild Disparity In Health Care Costs
Data released for the first time by the government on Wednesday shows that hospitals charge Medicare wildly differing amounts. Government officials said that some of the variation might reflect the fact that some patients were sicker or required longer hospitalization. These charges are not paid by the government or by insurers, who set rates and pay according to them regardless of charges set by hospitals.
Fitzgerald Might Disagree With His 'No Second Acts' Line
Audie Cornish talks to Kirk Curnutt, vice president of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Society, about the often misused and misquoted line, "there are no second acts in American lives." A whole generation of American politicians has fallen from grace, only to rise again and disprove the line — Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich, Eliot Spitzer and now South Carolina governor turned congressman, Mark Sanford.
Inductee Randy Newman performs on stage at the 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hal...
Randy Newman Becomes A Rock Star
Randy Newman never considered himself a rock star. He's best known for his work as a composer of film scores, from the Toy Story movies to Monsters, Inc. When Newman learned he would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the news came as a complete surprise.
Hospital Costs Go Public: What Changes In Health Care?
The federal government launched a database Wednesday that shows how much hospitals charge for the 100 most common procedures. The data reveals extreme variances in hospital billing. One hospital in Dallas, Texas charges $38,000 for treating pneumonia, while another charges over $14,000.
Iowa's Open Senate Seat And Rumbles About 2016
Iowa is home of the first electoral test for anyone seeking the White House. As 2016 contenders begin to test the waters, NPR Political Junkie Ken Rudin talks with Iowa Democratic Party chair Tyler Olson and Iowa Republican Party chair A.J. Spiker about the election ahead.