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Dr. Angela Alday talks with Isidro Hernandes, via a Spanish-speaking interpreter, Armando Jimenez. Both patient and doctor say they much prefer an in-person interpreter to one on the phone.

Dr. Angela Alday talks with Isidro Hernandes, via a Spanish-speaking interpreter, Armando Jimenez. Both patient and doctor say they much prefer an in-person interpreter to one on the phone. Jeff Schilling/Courtesy of Tuality Healthcare hide caption

itoggle caption Jeff Schilling/Courtesy of Tuality Healthcare

Shots - Health News

In The Hospital, A Bad Translation Can Destroy A Life OPB

When patient and doctor don't speak the same language, it's not enough to have an ad hoc interpreter. You need an adult fluent in both languages — who can also cut through medical jargon.

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An official at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor says its mix of patients helps explain the infection rates.

An official at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor says its mix of patients helps explain the infection rates. Scott C. Soderberg/Courtesy of University of Michigan Health System hide caption

itoggle caption Scott C. Soderberg/Courtesy of University of Michigan Health System

Shots - Health News

Hospitals Struggle To Beat Back Serious Infections

About 75,000 patients a year die from infections they caught in the hospital. A Kaiser Health News analysis finds that nearly 700 hospitals across the nation have higher than expected infection rates.

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One rationale for extending Medicaid coverage to more people is to help them get to a doctor or clinic before a minor illness becomes a medical emergency.

One rationale for extending Medicaid coverage to more people is to help them get to a doctor or clinic before a minor illness becomes a medical emergency. iStockphoto hide caption

itoggle caption iStockphoto

Shots - Health News

Spike In ER, Hospital Use Short-Lived After Calif. Medicaid Expansion KQED

Previous research found that going on Medicaid increased a poor person's use of costly emergency room visits. Now an analysis suggests that initial spike in ER visits quickly tapers off.

A sign displaying calorie counts is seen in a Subway restaurant in New York City in 2008. A yet-to-be-finalized federal rule requiring big chain restaurants to post calorie counts has likely led eateries to tweak their menus.

A sign displaying calorie counts is seen in a Subway restaurant in New York City in 2008. A yet-to-be-finalized federal rule requiring big chain restaurants to post calorie counts has likely led eateries to tweak their menus. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption Mario Tama/Getty Images

The Salt

Restaurants Shave Calories Off New Menu Items

New menu items introduced by chain restaurants in 2013 contained 60 fewer calories, on average, than items on the menu in 2012. And that could be enough to make an impact on the obesity epidemic.

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In New Jersey in March, Dianna Lopez of the Center for Family Services (right) speaks with Betsy Cruz, of Camden, N.J., about health insurance coverage during an Affordable Care Act information session.

In New Jersey in March, Dianna Lopez of the Center for Family Services (right) speaks with Betsy Cruz, of Camden, N.J., about health insurance coverage during an Affordable Care Act information session. Lori M. Nichols/South Jersey Times/Landov hide caption

itoggle caption Lori M. Nichols/South Jersey Times/Landov

Shots - Health News

Obamacare's First Year: How'd It Go?

It has been a year since Obamacare launched with a difficult start. Now, supporters are confident about the program's future. But critics say it's too early to gauge its success.

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Construction is continuing at the Maryland Proton Treatment Center in downtown Baltimore. It's one of three such centers under development in the Washington, D.C., region.

Construction is continuing at the Maryland Proton Treatment Center in downtown Baltimore. It's one of three such centers under development in the Washington, D.C., region. Jenny Gold/KHN hide caption

itoggle caption Jenny Gold/KHN

Shots - Health News

Proton Center Closure Doesn't Slow New Construction

A proton beam therapy center in Indiana is closing, and insurers are reluctant to cover the treatment for common cancers. But plans for three new proton therapy centers for the D.C. area are still on.

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Kevin Wierhs and Susan Johnson confer about what works and what doesn't in managing diabetes.

Kevin Wierhs and Susan Johnson confer about what works and what doesn't in managing diabetes. Sarah McCammon/Georgia Public Broadcasting hide caption

itoggle caption Sarah McCammon/Georgia Public Broadcasting

Shots - Health News

To Prevent Repeat Hospitalizations, Talk To Patients GPB

Part of each hospital's income now hinges on keeping patients with chronic conditions healthier outside the hospital. One medical center has hired nurses and social workers to act as health coaches.

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David Combs, an insurance broker in Kentucky, wound up benefiting from the Affordable Care Act, even though early on he had figured the law would put brokers out of business.

David Combs, an insurance broker in Kentucky, wound up benefiting from the Affordable Care Act, even though early on he had figured the law would put brokers out of business. Jenny Gold/Kaiser Health News hide caption

itoggle caption Jenny Gold/Kaiser Health News

Shots - Health News

Insurance Brokers Key To Kentucky's Obamacare Success

Many brokers feared the new federal health law would make them obsolete. But more than 40 percent of people who signed up for insurance via Kentucky's state exchange used a broker.

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Michael Granillo and his wife Sonia await treatment at an emergency room in Northridge, Calif.

Michael Granillo and his wife Sonia await treatment at an emergency room in Northridge, Calif. Anna Gorman, Kaiser Health News hide caption

itoggle caption Anna Gorman, Kaiser Health News

Shots - Health News

Avoid The Rush! Some ERs Are Taking Appointments

Nobody looks forward to sitting in the waiting room. So some hospitals are trying to improve customer satisfaction by offering online appointments. The pitch: "Wait for the ER from home."

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Eric Bleeker and a partner respond to 911 calls in this vehicle. The medical team can run simple lab tests and prescribe some drugs, which may spare a patient a trip to the ER.

Eric Bleeker and a partner respond to 911 calls in this vehicle. The medical team can run simple lab tests and prescribe some drugs, which may spare a patient a trip to the ER. Eric Whitney hide caption

itoggle caption Eric Whitney

Shots - Health News

Replacing An Ambulance With A Station Wagon

There's nothing like an ambulance when you really need one, but they're expensive, and a lot of people who call an ambulance would actually be better served with a different, cheaper kind of care.

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Under Kevin Counihan, Connecticut's health insurance exchange used concerts and storefront offices to reach customers.

Under Kevin Counihan, Connecticut's health insurance exchange used concerts and storefront offices to reach customers. Courtesy of Chion Wolf/WNPR hide caption

itoggle caption Courtesy of Chion Wolf/WNPR

Shots - Health News

HealthCare.gov Recruits Leader Of Successful Connecticut Effort

The question will be if Kevin Counihan can replicate his success in Connecticut with the federal health exchange, which was plagued with problems. The goal: A smoother Year Two for Obamacare.