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Thursday December 29, 2016

Wages Are Increasing, But What's Behind It?

Striking McDonald's restaurant employees lock arms during nationwide "Fight for $15 Day of Disruption" protests. David McNew/Getty Images hide caption

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David McNew/Getty Images

Economy

Wages Are Increasing, But What's Behind It?

December 29, 2016 • It has taken years since the Great Recession, but wages are showing signs of climbing — though not very quickly. Economists say there are reasons to believe wage growth could continue into 2017.

Wages Are Increasing, But What's Behind It?

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Wednesday December 28, 2016

For Many, Fewer Obamacare Choices Doesn't Mean Higher Prices

Ron Ellis of Augusta, Ga., hugs Monica Baldwin, a navigator with Christ Community Health, after she helped him sign up for insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Phil Galewitz/KHN hide caption

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Phil Galewitz/KHN

Shots - Health News

For Many, Fewer Obamacare Choices Doesn't Mean Higher Prices

KFF Health News

December 28, 2016 • One in five people getting health care through the Affordable Care Act no longer have a choice of insurers. But those markets don't have significantly higher prices than areas with competition.

Wednesday December 21, 2016

Revised Special Insurance Enrollment Rules Shift Burden To Consumers

Insurers say many customers have abused special enrollment periods, waiting to sign up for coverage when they're sick and need pricey care. Other groups dispute that charge. Ariel Zambelich/NPR hide caption

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Ariel Zambelich/NPR

Shots - Health News

Revised Special Insurance Enrollment Rules Shift Burden To Consumers

KFF Health News

December 21, 2016 • Consumers who want to sign up for health coverage on the federal marketplace after the usual deadline passes may need to do extra work to show they qualify for special enrollment later.

Sunday December 18, 2016

Please, Baby, Please: Some Couples Turn To Crowdfunding For IVF

Janet (left) and Jackie Carter's wedding in August 2015. They set up a crowdfunding site to help defray the considerable costs of IVF. Courtesy of Brian Fancher Photography hide caption

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Courtesy of Brian Fancher Photography

Shots - Health News

Please, Baby, Please: Some Couples Turn To Crowdfunding For IVF

KFF Health News

December 18, 2016 • Infertility is often a private struggle. But some couples are going public — via crowdfunding sites — to help subsidize in vitro fertilization treatments that can cost as much as $20,000 each time.

Please, Baby, Please: Some Couples Turn To Crowdfunding For IVF

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Friday December 9, 2016

U.S. Kids Far Less Likely To Out-Earn Their Parents, As Inequality Grows

A map of the U.S. shows children's chances of moving from the bottom fifth of income levels to the top fifth. Equality of Opportunity Project hide caption

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Equality of Opportunity Project

The Two-Way

U.S. Kids Far Less Likely To Out-Earn Their Parents, As Inequality Grows

December 9, 2016 • "It's basically a coin flip as to whether you'll do better than your parents," a Stanford economist says.

Thursday December 8, 2016

Retired Coal Miners At Risk Of Losing Promised Health Coverage And Pensions

Retired coal miners could face the loss of health benefits if Congress doesn't implement a fix by Friday. Steve Helber/AP hide caption

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Steve Helber/AP

Shots - Health News

Retired Coal Miners At Risk Of Losing Promised Health Coverage And Pensions

West Virginia Public Broadcasting

December 8, 2016 • A fund guaranteeing health coverage and pensions to retired mine workers is about to run dry. Congress has been reluctant to pick up the tab. Democrats from coal country say it's time to act.

Retired Coal Miners At Risk Of Losing Promised Health Coverage And Pensions

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Trump Picks Fast-Food Executive Andrew Puzder As Labor Secretary

Andrew Puzder, chief executive of CKE Restaurants, exits after his meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Trump International Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., last month. Drew Angerer/Getty Images hide caption

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Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Politics

Trump Picks Fast-Food Executive Andrew Puzder As Labor Secretary

December 8, 2016 • The chief executive of CKE Holdings, the parent company of Hardee's and Carl's Jr., is an outspoken critic of raising the minimum wage and increasing overtime and workplace safety regulations.

Wednesday December 7, 2016

What Former Employees Say ITT Tech Did To Scam Its Students

Chelsea Beck/NPR

NPR Ed

What Former Employees Say ITT Tech Did To Scam Its Students

WLRN

December 7, 2016 • Here are the accounts from several former employees and students about what happened behind closed doors at ITT Tech to lure students into expensive loans that rarely paid off.

Doctors And Hospitals Tell Patients: Show Us The Money Before Treatment

Doctors and hospitals are increasingly asking patients to pay up front for deductibles, which can cost thousands. PhotoAlto/Michele Constantini/Getty Images/PhotoAlto hide caption

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PhotoAlto/Michele Constantini/Getty Images/PhotoAlto

Shots - Health News

Doctors And Hospitals Tell Patients: Show Us The Money Before Treatment

KFF Health News

December 7, 2016 • As patients' share of medical bills has grown with the rise in deductibles, copays and coinsurance, providers have become laser focused on getting payments up front.

Tuesday December 6, 2016

Amazon To Open Convenience Store With No Lines

Reed Saxon/AP

The Two-Way

Amazon To Open Convenience Store With No Lines

December 6, 2016 • Instead, the company envisions customers at the store picking up whatever they want off the shelves — then simply walking out with it. The items are automatically billed to their Amazon accounts.

Monday December 5, 2016

For College Students With Kids, Getting Cheap Child Care Is A Challenge

Maria Fabrizio for NPR

NPR Ed

For College Students With Kids, Getting Cheap Child Care Is A Challenge

December 5, 2016 • Here's how difficult it is for students with children to get access to federal money for child care.

Sunday December 4, 2016

National

Tips For The Family Wallet

December 4, 2016 • Talking about money with family can be tricky. Michelle Singletary, personal finance columnist for the Washington Post, shares tips with NPR's Ailsa Chang and answers listener questions.

Tips For The Family Wallet

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Thursday December 1, 2016

Uber Now Tracks Passengers' Locations Even After They're Dropped Off

In its latest update, Uber gathers user location information even when the app is not open during a ride. Carl Court/Getty Images hide caption

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Carl Court/Getty Images

Is College Worth It? Recent Grads Share Their Experiences

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Wednesday November 30, 2016

Trump Picks Steve Mnuchin To Lead Treasury Department

Adviser Steven Mnuchin arrives at Trump Tower in New York on Nov. 17. Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Trump Picks Steve Mnuchin To Lead Treasury Department

November 30, 2016 • Mnuchin is a hedge fund CEO and longtime Wall Street banker. His involvement in the spike in foreclosures following the housing market's crash could complicate his confirmation.