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Andres Cuartas got help from an agent last March when he signed up for health insurance at a Miami mall. In the last year, the percentage of women who are uninsured has dropped more than the percentage of uninsured men.

Andres Cuartas got help from an agent last March when he signed up for health insurance at a Miami mall. In the last year, the percentage of women who are uninsured has dropped more than the percentage of uninsured men. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Policy-ish

Health Law's Big Tent Still Leaves Some People Out

by Julie Rovner

About 10 million more people in the U.S. now have health insurance than did this time last year. But some immigrants, low-income adults and others are still falling through the gaps.

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An X-ray of the chest of a man with tuberculosis. The areas infected with TB bacteria are colored red.

An X-ray of the chest of a man with tuberculosis. The areas infected with TB bacteria are colored red. Science Photo Library/Corbis hide caption

itoggle caption Science Photo Library/Corbis

Public Health

In New York, Video Chat Trumps Quarantine To Combat TB WNYC

by Fred Mogul

Ebola isn't the first dangerous microbe to spur calls for quarantine in American cities. But as New York City's experience with drug-resistant tuberculosis suggests, isolation isn't always best.

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By increasing the amount of serotonin in the spinal cord, an experimental drug helps nerve connections work better.

By increasing the amount of serotonin in the spinal cord, an experimental drug helps nerve connections work better. Bee Smith/Ocean/Corbis hide caption

itoggle caption Bee Smith/Ocean/Corbis

Treatments

A Drug Might Heal Spinal Injuries By Sparking Nerve Growth

A neurologist's unorthodox thinking led to an experimental drug that allows trapped nerve fibers to grow again. And that growth helps amplify signals that restored movement in laboratory rats.

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Several countries, including Australia, Japan and Great Britain, already encourage blood donations from some gay men.

Several countries, including Australia, Japan and Great Britain, already encourage blood donations from some gay men. Kevin Curtis/Getty Images/Science Photo Library hide caption

itoggle caption Kevin Curtis/Getty Images/Science Photo Library

Policy-ish

FDA Considers Allowing Blood Donations From Some Gay Men

The lifetime ban on blood from any man who has had sex with men dates to the 1980s, before there was a good test to screen for HIV. Critics say the policy is outmoded and needlessly discriminatory.

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People with severe allergies often carry an epinephrine pen to stop life-threatening reactions. But emergency room doctors may not know that's the best treatment.

People with severe allergies often carry an epinephrine pen to stop life-threatening reactions. But emergency room doctors may not know that's the best treatment. Paul Rapson/Science Source hide caption

itoggle caption Paul Rapson/Science Source

Public Health

Emergency Rooms Often Skip The Epinephrine For Severe Allergies

by Alison Bruzek

Mom may be more up to speed on the right treatment for life-threatening allergic reactions than doctors, a study finds. Epinephrine should be the first and fastest choice for treatment.

Don Benfield is trying to get health care coverage for his family. The options at work are too expensive, but his employer's option disqualifies him from Affordable Care Act subsidies.

Don Benfield is trying to get health care coverage for his family. The options at work are too expensive, but his employer's option disqualifies him from Affordable Care Act subsidies. Courtesy of Don Benfield hide caption

itoggle caption Courtesy of Don Benfield

Policy-ish

Obamacare 'Glitch' Puts Subsidies Out Of Reach For Many Families

The health care law gives subsidies to those whose employers' insurance isn't affordable, but that's based on the cost of worker-only coverage. Adding family to a plan can send prices out of reach.

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Joyce Powell, 80, attends an exercise class at UT-Arlington with her husband, Thomas (right). Powell says she feels more confident in getting around and traveling since taking the classes.

Joyce Powell, 80, attends an exercise class at UT-Arlington with her husband, Thomas (right). Powell says she feels more confident in getting around and traveling since taking the classes. Dane Walters/KERA hide caption

itoggle caption Dane Walters/KERA

Your Health

Broken Hips: Preventing A Fall Can Save Your Life KERA

by Lauren Silverman

Twenty percent of people who fall and break a hip after age 50 die within a year, and women are at greatest risk. But you can reduce the odds of falling. Here's how.

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Leaburn Alexander works two jobs and does not have health insurance. It takes him three hours to commute home from the job he works as an overnight hotel janitor.

Leaburn Alexander works two jobs and does not have health insurance. It takes him three hours to commute home from the job he works as an overnight hotel janitor. Lisa Morehouse/KQED hide caption

itoggle caption Lisa Morehouse/KQED

Policy-ish

For Some Uninsured, Simply Signing Up Is A Challenge

by Lisa Morehouse

Leaburn Alexander works two jobs and has a monstrous commute. There's no wiggle room in his budget to pay a health insurance premium — and no time even to meet with an enrollment counselor.

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Superintendent Alberto Carvalho of Miami-Dade County Public Schools says he knows how much gets paid out in health care claims, but the school system's insurance carrier, Cigna, won't disclose the charges.

Superintendent Alberto Carvalho of Miami-Dade County Public Schools says he knows how much gets paid out in health care claims, but the school system's insurance carrier, Cigna, won't disclose the charges. Lynne Sladky/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Lynne Sladky/AP

Health Inc.

School District Pays For Health Care But Can't Get Itemized Bill WLRN

by Sammy Mack

Large employers like the Miami-Dade school district pay for employees' health insurance, but are often forbidden from knowing how much providers charge and insurers pay for care.

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