Medical Care

How the medical community fails when delivering a Down syndrome diagnosis

Maureen Wallace — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:00:00 -0700

Your ears burn. Your eyes water. You cannot believe you just heard an experienced medical professional utter such an insensitive, ignorant comment. Parents who have received a Down syndrome diagnosis at birth share their stories, and some show we have a long way to go in offering compassion and support when families need it most.

Mom story: I'm fighting for both my sons to live

Julie Weingarden Dubin — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:00:00 -0700

Jenn McNary, mom of six, started an online campaign to plea for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to quickly approve a life-saving drug that only one son has access to — both boys have Duchenne muscular dystrophy , a degenerative muscle disease. The fact that the Saxtons River, Vermont-based mom already met with senior agency officials at the FDA shows the power of a mother's determination and love.

10 Appointments every woman should make

Tracey English — Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 -0700

Tawnia Lashley is a mom of two boys. In 2009, she saw her doctor for her annual exam and had no reason for concern. She was not overweight. She did not smoke. She was not sexually active at a young age. She was not older than 50. She had not had any abnormal pap readings before. She never had HPV.

All should have HIV screening

Kristen Fischer — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 07:16:00 -0700

New guidelines encourage doctors to screen everyone ages 15 to 65 for HIV, not just those at risk for the disease.

Lab-grown kidney successful

Kristen Fischer — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 05:42:00 -0700

Scientists have successfully bioengineered a kidney and transplanted it in rats, offering hope that they can do the same for humans with kidney failure.

What to deduct when you're expecting

Kelly Phillips Erb — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:00:00 -0700

Having a baby can be expensive. Fortunately, taxpayers can catch a few breaks under the Tax Code to make it a little more bearable.

The benefits of a pediatric hospital

Tiernan McKay — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:00:00 -0700

If you live in a city where you have more than one choice when it comes to medical care for your children, deciding where to go can be tougher than you think. Let's explore the benefits of taking your kids to a pediatric hospital.

Bargaining for medical care

Sherri Kuhn — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 07:47:00 -0800

One of the biggest expenses most families deal with is the high cost of medical care. Whether it’s procedures that aren’t covered by insurance or just life’s little emergencies, can you get a better deal by negotiating?

What to expect at your postpartum checkup

Michelle Maffei — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:00:00 -0800

Now that you're getting used to life with a newborn, it's time to give your post-pregnancy body some attention. Although a spa day would be nice, it's a postpartum exam that you'll need to schedule first. From questions about your emotions to details about the pelvic exam, get the rundown on what to expect at your postpartum checkup.

Some doctors in South Florida refusing to treat obese patients

Sarah W. Caron — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 06:20:00 -0700

Some OB-GYNs in Florida are refusing to treat obese women due to both the risks of treating such patients and the fact that their equipment isn't made for larger people.

Kidney donor for 30 Rock’s Grizz Chapman

Karen Hawthorne — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:15:00 -0700

When TV actor Grizz Chapman was diagnosed with kidney disease, a young Arizona man decided to help him out. He donated his kidney last July and now is working to spread a message about the risk of high blood pressure and getting tested for kidney disease. March is National Kidney Month, and here’s our Q&A with kidney donor Ryan Perkins.

How to get more out of your health care

Cynthia Haines, MD — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:29:00 -0800

In the coming months and years, you will likely be shouldering more and more of the burden of health care expenses -- if it hasn’t happened to you already. This can be an unsettling concept, when good health can often feel out of our control. Accessing health care also costs you time and energy -- arguably much more important than money. Believe it or not, you really can stay healthier for less money and with less use of the health care system. Here’s how.

Why you need pet medical insurance

Michele Borboa, MS — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 11:30:00 -0800

The American Pet Products Association estimates that pet spending for 2010 will reach an all-time high of $47.7 billion. With all that we buy for our furry friends, shouldn’t pet insurance be part of our budget? If you’ve ever had a sick pet – or you simply factor in vet costs for pet check-ups – you know how quickly pet-related bills can stack up, but pet insurance alone can be pricey. We talked with Betsy Banks Saul, co-founder of Petfinder.com and proud pet parent, about how pet insurance can save our pets’ lives and how to determine if pet insurance makes financial sense.

Talking to your aging parents about eldercare

Sarah Kelsey — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 13:38:00 -0800

Talking with your aging parents about their health is tough, but it’s an important conversation to have, both emotionally and financially. In her latest book, It’s Between You and Me, Ali Davidson explains how and why you should sit down to chat with your parents about caregiving or eldercare options.