Nearly 9.6 million American adults may have traveled abroad to get dental care, according to a new report from CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.
Why it matters: Oral health procedures are generally more expensive in the U.S. than in other countries, making medical tourism a more viable option for some people.
A series of Food and Drug Administration decisions following the departure of former commissioner Marty Makary signal a reset in the agency's relationship with the biopharmaceutical industry.
Why it matters: Global leadership in the sector is at stake with China's rapid ascendance in drug development — and biotech investors and executives had warned that the agency was undermining innovation, not supporting it.
I went to a little "meet and greet" at a doctor's office recently to see if I felt comfortable enough to pay top dollar for premier, high-access care.
Why it matters: 20 minutes in, the concierge primary care doctor declined to take me on as a patient. I was out the door in tears, credit card in hand.
A Senate plan to limit insulin costs in private insurance markets is getting new life after a key committee gave it bipartisan backing.
Why it matters: Capping out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 per month for patients with diabetes in commercial insurance has been a goal for years, but efforts have stalled over concerns about excessive government meddling.
The troubled U.S. organ donation system is set for a pivotal series of changes as administrators begin overhauling the process for deciding which organizations work with hospitals to facilitate donations.
Why it matters: More than 100,000 Americans are waiting for transplants, and the system has been dogged by patient safety concerns, instances of inappropriate conduct and conflicts of interest among organ procurement groups.
