American Morning
Health care – Prescription for waste: $1000 toothbrush
Editor's Note: All this week, in the American Morning original series "Health care – Prescription for waste," we're examining more waste in the health care system – and this time it could involve your money. Today, a medical billing advocate shows our Elizabeth Cohen some of the wasteful charges she's seen in bills. And tomorrow on American Morning, we go shopping for health care to show you how you can save hundreds when it comes to your own medical bills.
(CNN) – Imagine someone spending a thousand bucks for a toothbrush. It might be amusing – if it wasn't your money. Consider this: for every dollar we spend on health care, fifty cents is wasted.
Our senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen shows us just how expensive some medical accessories can be and whether you’re getting slammed with bogus bills.
Chicago's gun ban battle
(CNN) – Chicago is the front line for a historic gun battle that's now being waged before the Supreme Court.
On one side, those who say their Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms have been violated. On the other, parents and teachers who swear their city's handgun ban is saving lives on some very rough streets. Our Kate Bolduan has the report from Chicago's south side.
Dems could sidestep GOP to pass health care
(CNN) – President Obama talked about health care reform in his weekend Web address, saying "let's get this done." But it doesn't look like Thursday's summit did a thing to bring Congress closer to a compromise.
Democrats are now on the verge of taking a dramatic step, one that could leave Republicans powerless to stop the bill. Our Jim Acosta explains the process and its potential consequences.
Chilean Navy blamed for not sounding tsunami alarm
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/WORLD/americas/03/01/chile.earthquake/t1main.chile.building.afp.gi.jpg caption="On Sunday, passers-by observe the remains of a destroyed building in Concepcion, Chile's hardest-hit major city."]
Concepcion, Chile (CNN) - Chile's defense minister has blamed the Navy for not issuing a tsunami warning after an 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked the South American country.
Such a forewarning could have allowed villagers on the coast to flee to higher ground.
Of the 708 reported dead, 541 died in Chile's Maule region, and 64 in the Bio Bio region, both on the coast.
"The truth even if it hurts [is that] a division of the Navy made a mistake," Minister Francisco Vidal said.
After the quake initially struck, President Michelle Bachelet said a tsunami was unlikely.
More than 50 countries posted tsunami warnings, and Chilean authorities later realized the large waves that slammed coastal areas were tsunami-generated.
"What we saw between the sixth and the ninth region is a tsunami," Vidal said.
The Navy has an emergency system under which captains in each port may issue warnings when sea levels begin to rise. FULL STORY
Next week: Health care – Prescription for waste?
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/02/26/med.glove.gi.art.jpg caption="CNN's Elizabeth Cohen takes a closer look at waste in the health care system and how it may be costing you."]
By Skylar Srivastava, CNN
(CNN) – Next week in an American Morning original series, "Health care: Prescription for waste," we examine more waste in the health care system – and this time it could involve your money.
With the health care system in crisis and Congress trying to work out a solution, your health spending budget could still be going through the roof. What if it was simply a matter of careless book-keeping or an inefficient claims process, would you take the time to find out? On Monday, CNN’s Elizabeth Cohen shows us just how expensive some medical accessories can be and whether you’re getting slammed with bogus bills.
We’ll also be shopping around for a medical procedure. You already do it for vacations and real estate, what about comparison shopping for a hernia repair? Will hospitals really tell you what it will cost? On Tuesday, we’ll take you through the ropes.
Is parenthood in your near future? For new parents this could be a shocker. The way you have your baby delivered could save you an extra two thousand dollars, and that could help you buy those diapers you’ll be needing. Wednesday, Elizabeth Cohen will tell you the exact dollars and “sense,” and why you should be planning a lot more than just a pregnancy.
Pentagon may lift ban of women in combat
(CNN) – Women could soon be on the front-lines in Afghanistan and Iraq. The top Army brass is considering lifting a ban on having women in a combat role. Our Barbara Starr has the report from the Pentagon.
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