US home births in 2021 rose to highest level in decades, CDC report says

Among almost 4 million U.S. births in 2021, nearly 52,000 occurred at home — an increase of about 12% from the previous year, the CDC said.

Thousands of dogs gather at Camp Mabry for Mighty Texas Dog Walk

The "Doggiest Day in Austin" raises funds for Service Dogs Inc, which provides service dogs to wounded veterans and others living with disabilities.

Lino Lakes family left with $20K hospital bill after toddler's COVID-19 treatment deemed not necessary

A Lino Lakes family was left with a $20,000 bill for the treatment of their toddler, who was hospitalized and placed on oxygen with COVID-19 and enterovirus. Insurance deemed the treatment not "medically necessary."

Top US health agency softens guidelines for doctors prescribing opioids

The nation’s top public health agency has revised its guidelines for U.S. doctors prescribing oxycodone and other opioid painkillers. The new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations are an update to 2016 guidelines.

Replacement effort for sleep apnea device recall expected to drag into 2023, fueling frustration

Philips initially estimated it could repair or replace the units within a year. But with the recall expanding to more than 5 million devices, it now says the effort will stretch into next year.

Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine will cost $110-$130 per dose

Pfizer said the commercial pricing for adult COVID-19 vaccine doses could start in early 2023, depending on when the U.S. government phases out its program of buying the shots.

Cheaper, over-the-counter hearing aids now available in US stores

Several U.S. retailers are now selling over-the-counter hearing aids at a cheaper cost compared to prescription devices, officials say. Here’s where to buy them.

FDA confirms widespread shortage of Adderall in the US

The largest U.S. manufacturer Adderall, a prescription drug used primarily to treat ADHD, has been experiencing “ongoing intermittent manufacturing delays,” the FDA said.

CDC says universal masking no longer recommended inside some hospitals, nursing homes

The CDC has eased its universal masking recommendations for some health care facilities — unless they’re located in areas of high COVID-19 transmission.

Texas vow to ‘eliminate all rapists’ rings hollow at clinics

The constant caseloads in Texas are another example of how Republicans have struggled to defend zero-exception abortion bans.