Weekly Edition: August 21-25, 2017

Podcast: ‘What The Health?’ Back To Health Crunch Come September
In this episode of “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Joanne Kenen of Politico, Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post and Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times discuss the continuing efforts in Congress to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act, upcoming open enrollment for individual insurance and Congress’ long health care to-do list for September.

Will GOP Pay A Price For Trying To Take Health Care Benefits From Voters?
By Michael McAuliff and Lisa Gillespie, WFPL
Politicians who tried to take health care benefits from their voters may face political consequences as constituents come to understand what’s at stake — in a way they didn’t a few months ago.

Charlottesville Postmortem: Why People Join Hate Groups
By Sharon Jayson
Unhappy childhood experiences can drive people to join white supremacist groups, studies have found.

Writing Your Way Through Cancer
By Natalie Jacewicz
A breast cancer survivor and author has helped numerous patients explore the feelings awakened by their disease — and feel better.

‘Breakthrough’ Leukemia Drug Also Portends ‘Quantum Leap’ In Cost
By Liz Szabo
A genetically altered cancer drug, based on CAR T-cell therapies, could be a big success with leukemia patients but at a staggering cost.

Dying At Home In An Opioid Crisis: Hospices Grapple With Stolen Meds
By Melissa Bailey
As more patients receive hospice care at home, some of the powerful, addictive drugs they’re prescribed are ending up in the wrong hands.

Oregon, Texas Are Latest States To Put Down Markers On Abortion Coverage
By Michelle Andrews
The governors of both states signed abortion legislation last week. Texas will restrict insurance coverage while Oregon will require that it be covered.

Home Visits Help New Parents Overcome Tough Histories, Raise Healthy Children
By Anna Gorman and Heidi de Marco
A program that provides $400 million in federal funding for the visits expires next month. Advocates and providers hope it will be reauthorized with a higher level of funding — but some worry that might not happen.

Despite Advance Directive, Dementia Patient Denied Last Wish, Says Spouse
By JoNel Aleccia
Oregon court says Alzheimer’s patient Nora Harris must be spoon-fed. But her husband says she never wanted to live like this.