Julie Rovner

NPR's Julie Rovner says the Democrats' health care plans would likely cover more of the nation's 47 million uninsured, but the Republicans' plans might bring bigger changes to the system.

A new study shows that the rate of abortion in the U.S. has dropped to its lowest level since the mid-1970s. The survey, conducted by the Alan Guttmacher Institute, also found a rise in the use of the abortion pill mifepristone, also known as RU-486.

Health insurance is turning into a top-tier issue in this year's presidential campaign. We asked the presidential hopefuls about their own coverage — and that of their staffs. Not everyone was talking.

Former U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde of Illinois has died at the age of 83. The Republican is best remembered as an anti-abortion crusader and the leader of the House impeachment proceedings against President Clinton, but he was more politically complex than the conservative caricature would suggest.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton unveils the final piece of her health plan, which would guarantee insurance to all Americans. The New York senator has become a consensus builder, working with conservative Republicans like Newt Gingrich on computerized medical records.

Dr. Linda Peeno has spent two decades fighting a health insurance industry she was once a part of. Giants such as Humana say the industry has greatly improved patient care. But Peeno says after Michael Moore's Sicko opened, she was once again swamped with e-mails of insurance horror stories.

The number of Americans without health insurance grew to an all time high of 47 million last year, an increase of more than 2 million from a year before. The number of children without health insurance coverage also rose. The Census Bureau figures are likely to raise the stakes in the political debate about health care.

The Bush administration has imposed new rules for the State Children's Health Insurance Program that state officials say may result in loss of coverage for thousands of kids. Congress has been working to renew the program, which is set to expire at the end of next month.

Confirmation hearings are scheduled Thursday for Dr. James Holsinger Jr., the Kentucky cardiologist nominated by President Bush to be the nation's 18th surgeon general. Holsinger is likely to face tough questioning — not only about his own qualifications, but about whether he can stand up to the political meddling that his predecessor, Richard Carmona, says hampered his ability to do the job.

Baby turtles as pets may be ready for a comeback. Sales were banned in 1975 after the animals were linked to salmonella infections in children. But farmers say they've found a way to reduce the bacteria in the turtles.