Gisele Grayson

Government, academic and industry researchers often depend on each others' work and funding. The partial shutdown is getting in the way of some of that collaboration and research.

Flu is widespread throughout the country, according to latest federal numbers. Those 65 and older are the most affected, but baby boomers are ending up in the hospital at an unusually high rate.

Popular DNA ancestry tests don't always find what people expect. That is because of how DNA rearranges itself when egg meets sperm — and the quirks of genetic databases.

The federal government has all but dropped out of marketing the Affordable Care Act, so states, corporations and private groups are stepping up. Some are going cute, while others get serious.

Republicans headed into an all-night session in an uncomfortable position where the only legislation they can potentially pass is a bill most senators oppose.

The Senate has voted to send a bill repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act to the floor for debate. But with multiple bills in play, it could be months before legislation actually emerges.

Tax breaks for the wealthy would be trimmed, and people would get the option to buy bare-bones plans. But big cuts in Medicaid and changes to coverage for pre-existing conditions remain.

After the costumes and candy comes the hard part: the fights and negotiations that go along with trying to limit kids' sugar intake. Why not skip the ordeal by paying kids to give up their treats?

Senate Republicans are calling their health care bill the Better Care Reconciliation Act. It shares many provisions with the House's American Health Care Act, but goes further in cutting Medicaid.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 22 million people would lose coverage with the Senate bill. That includes 15 million people on Medicaid, and others who could no longer afford insurance.