Medicare pays hospital-owned facilities more for the same service than it pays independent facilities. A proposal with broad support aims to end that practice, which can save money for patients. But rural hospitals say this can push them to cut services or close their doors.

The use of artificial intelligence in hospitals in the United States is wide ranging, with roughly two thirds of U.S. hospitals using these predictive algorithms. But only about 60% are testing these algorithms for accuracy, and less than half are testing them for bias. So, The Checkup’s question is: How can hospitals’ use of AI affect patients?

The ideas being proposed could amount to more than $2 trillion of cuts to the country’s public health insurance program for low-income and disabled Americans over the next decade — and could potentially push millions of people off the program.

Abortion bans can impact pregnant people who may experience a spontaneous miscarriage. Some women in abortion ban states have even died because of that. So, what do pregnant women and their loved ones need to know to prepare in case of an emergency?

Nearly one-fifth of adults in the United States have a mental health condition. But each year, over a third of adults with severe psychiatric disorders are misdiagnosed.

More patients are coming to their doctors with questions about long held health practices. How should health experts respond?

More than half of U.S. states have limited access to gender affirming care for minors. That includes Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky and Missouri. Now, the nation’s highest court will take up a case out of Tennessee this December that could have ripple effects across the country.

Millions of Americans perceive politics as a significant source of stress. How can people recognize signs of –– what specialists call –– sociopolitical stress? And what steps can they take to deal with it?

Some experts say a second Trump term could mean big cuts to the public health insurance program.

Generic drugs gave Americans access to effective, cheap prescription medications. It’s saved them trillions of dollars over the past few decades. But there are signs this vital industry may be in deep trouble.