ProPublica

Image

MOHAMED HASSAN/PIXABAY

You have a right to know why a health insurer denied your claim. Some insurers still won’t tell you.

Federal regulations require insurers to promptly hand over records to patients facing claim denials. Some insurers only turned over their files after ProPublica reached out.

Nov 8, 2023

Image

SHUTTERSTOCK

Top Philips executive approved sale of defective breathing machines despite risks

The global corporation stands accused of risking the health of patients who used its sleep apnea machines and ventilators, in some cases to stay alive

Oct 31, 2023

Image

SHUTTERSTOCK

Senator calls for DOJ action against Philips for keeping CPAP machine complaints secret

The request comes after revelations the global company withheld thousands of warnings about popular breathing machines capable of spewing hazardous particles and fumes into the masks of patients

Oct 10, 2023

Image

HATICE EROL/PIXABAY

How a big pharma company stalled a potentially lifesaving vaccine in pursuit of bigger profits

Pharmaceutical giant GSK turned away from its vaccine for tuberculosis, which kills 1.6 million mostly poor people each year, to go all in on a vaccine against shingles, a viral infection that comes with a painful rash

Oct 5, 2023

Image

SHUTTERSTOCK

Philips kept complaints about dangerous breathing machines secret while company profits soared

The devices included the popular DreamStation for sleep apnea. ProPublica's investigation included interviews with Oregon physicians Dr. Radhika Breaden and Dr. Robert Lowe, whose patients used the devices before the massive recall.

Sep 28, 2023

Image

FERNANDO ZHIMINAICELA/PIXABAY

Concerned about your OB-GYN visit? A guide to what should happen — and what shouldn’t.

Experts answer key questions that could help others interpret what is normal, and what’s not, during a visit to the OB-GYN

Sep 21, 2023

Image

LUND REPORT ILLUSTRATION/SHUTTERSTOCK/PIXABAY

I set out to create a simple map for how to appeal your insurance denial. Instead, I found a mind-boggling labyrinth.

I spoke with more than 50 insurance experts, patients, lawyers, physicians and consumer advocates about building a tool anyone could use to navigate insurance appeals. Nearly everyone said the same thing: Great idea. But almost impossible to do.

Sep 7, 2023

Image

DAN RACE/SHUTTERSTOCK

He needed a liver transplant. But did the risks outweigh the reward?

A transplant program in Memphis took pride in replacing the livers of patients turned away by other hospitals. One patient’s liver transplant illustrates the promise and peril of operating on people with serious risk factors.

Aug 24, 2023

Image

3D ANIMATION PRODUCTION COMPANY/PIXABAY

Why doctors spend millions on fees that could be spent on providing care

Fees that insurers charge doctors for digital payments likely add up to billions of dollars that could be spent on care but instead are going to insurers and middlemen

Aug 22, 2023

Image

SHUTTERSTOCK

The Hidden Fee Costing Doctors Millions Every Year

A powerful lobbyist convinced a federal agency that doctors can be forced to pay fees on money that health insurers owe them. Big companies rake in profits while doctors are saddled with yet another cost in a burdensome health care system.

Aug 16, 2023