She was billed for 2 operations after 1 surgery

Plus, how Dems are using Project 2025 to their advantage.

View this email online by Brittney Melton August 25, 2024 Good morning. This week, $1 million worth of cocaine washed ashore in Florida after Hurricane Debby, Gus and Tim Walz melted hearts, and the Fed signaled lower interest rates could come soon. Best of NPR Jamie Holmes of northwestern Washington state says a surgery center tried to make her pay for two operations when she only had one. Holmes had surgery in 2019 to have her fallopian tubes tied, a permanent birth-control procedure that her insurance company agreed to cover. Ting-Li Wang/KFF Health News While under anesthesia, her surgeon noticed early signs of endometriosis, a common condition in which fibrous scar tissue grows around the uterus. The surgeon told her that he spent around 15 minutes cauterizing the troublesome tissue as a precaution and assured her the extra treatment would cost her little, if anything. But when the bill came, it was a completely different story. Holmes was being charged for two separate operations, totaling up to almost $10,000. Her insurer would only cover a fraction of the cost. Holmes figured the center’s billing department mistakenly thought she’d been on the operating table twice. Surely this could be explained, right? Here’s the story of how she ended up being sued by a collection agency and where things stand for her now.  Newsletter continues after sponsor message The Week That Was Jeff Schear/Getty Images Project 2025 was written by conservatives for conservatives. But it’s become a tool for Democrats to motivate supporters. During the Democratic National Convention, the conservative blueprint for expanding presidential authority was front and center as a talking point. It greeted people upon arrival as a projection onto the exterior of the Trump International Hotel and Tower as “Project 2025 HQ.” Here’s a look at how Democrats are using the plan to engage voters and as a warning against a second Trump term. ➡️ But what is Project 2025? Here’s a closer look at the 900-page plan. It’s estimated that about 7 million people in the U.S. are living with Alzeheimer’s disease and related dementias. But the people with a formal diagnosis are far less than that. A new study found diagnosis rates varied depending where a person lives. Parts of the Great Plains and Southwest are seeing fewer cases than expected. The findings shed light on how the diagnosis rate doesn’t simply have to do with an individual's risk factors alone, but also access to health care resources and education on the disease. Real estate company RealPage is being sued by the U.S. Department of Justice for allegedly engaging in a price-fixing scheme to drive up rents. The lawsuit alleges that RealPage’s algorithmic pricing lets landlords effectively collude and set rent above market rate. “Americans should not have to pay more in rent because a company has found a new way to scheme with landlords to break the law,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. Attorneys generals of North Carolina, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington have joined the antitrust suit filed in federal court. Public media for the public good At NPR, we believe that an informed public is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. As we navigate one of the most pivotal election years in our country’s history, the role of independent, fact-based journalism has never been more crucial. The decisions made at the ballot box will shape our future. And in an era where misinformation can spread unchecked, the stakes are incredibly high. It’s why the NPR Network stands by its unwavering commitment to keeping the public informed with the facts through its local and national reporting. But we can't do it alone. To combat the growing tide of misinformation, we need your support. Your donation ensures that our election coverage and the NPR Network have the resources to continue delivering the facts, insights, and stories that matter most. Donate today. Donate Today ➔ Podcast Picks Peter Zelei Images/Getty Images Short Wave: Science for everyone, using a lot of creativity and a little humor. In under 15 minutes, learn about new discoveries, everyday mysteries, and the science behind the headlines.  🎧 U.S. health officials now say COVID-19 is an endemic disease, meaning it's here to stay and will circulate fairly regularly like the flu. Even though that changes how public health officials think about managing the virus, they say it doesn't mean being less cautious during surges, like the current one this summer. COVID still poses significant risks for older individuals and those with underlying conditions. Anyone who gets COVID is at risk of developing long COVID. 1A, from WAMU: Listening to the news can feel like a journey. Let 1A guide you beyond the headlines and cut through the noise to get to the heart of the story. 🎧 President Biden recently unveiled his plan to reform the U.S. Supreme Court. The proposals aim to counteract what he sees as a crisis of public confidence caused by decisions like the overturning of a longstanding precedent in Roe v. Wade and the decision to grant broad immunity to presidents. Polls show most Americans are behind reform, but what kind of reforms would build public trust in the court? And are Biden’s proposed changes even possible? The Wide Open, from Montana Public Radio: Nuanced reporting on under-covered environmental issues with plenty of adventure, wildlife and rich sound along the way. 🎧 The Endangered Species Act helped bring the Yellowstone-area grizzly population back from the brink of extinction. It also sparked controversy over a question that looms over more species than just grizzly bears: How do we balance the needs of endangered wildlife with the needs of humans? Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from Central Florida Public Media (edit station). This newsletter was edited by Obed Manuel. Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Music, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Up First emails. 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