The barter economy behind major art museums

Oct 28, 2019
The Louvre spent 10 years negotiating with other museums to mount the largest Leonardo da Vinci exhibit ever. Here's a look inside the process.
People take pictures of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Virgin and Child With Saint Anne" at the opening of the Louvre's exhibition in Paris on Oct. 22.
Francois Guillot/AFP via Getty Images

The economics of kidnapping

How the criminal underworld operates the ransom business.
Philippine soldiers walk along a highway as they return to camp after an armed encouter with members of militant kidnap-for-ransom group, Abu Sayyaf, in the Sulu province on the southern island of Mindanao on August 26, 2016.
STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images

Would requiring prices in pharmaceutical ads make drugs cheaper?

Apr 9, 2019
The idea is that transparency would lead to more competition and lower costs. One drug company is already on board.
Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty Images

Want to know the true price of a hospital procedure?

Jan 4, 2019
A new system can help you find out.
A doctor holds a stethoscope on September 5, 2012.
Adam Berry/Getty Images

CAT bonds could be key to paying for wildfire losses

Dec 10, 2018
Some urge FEMA to issue a catastrophe bond to help pay for wildfire recovery.
Firefighters battle flames at a burning apartment complex in Paradise, north of Sacramento, California, on Nov. 09.
JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images

What does public charge proposal mean for hospitals that treat immigrants?

Dec 10, 2018
Today is the final day for comment for the Trump administration’s public charge proposal that would make it harder for immigrants to qualify for citizenship if they’ve used public benefits, including SNAP, public housing and Medicaid. Immigrants who’ve received cash assistance or long-term medical care already have a strike against them when they apply for […]
Immigrants make up roughly 12 percent of the population in this country, but account for just 8.6 percent of heath care expenditures. 
John Moore/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

A worldwide earthquake drill may spur more homeowners to buy insurance

Oct 18, 2018
Do not be alarmed if, a bit later on Thursday, you turn to see a bunch of co-workers peering out from under their desks. It’s not an alien invasion or a spontaneous game of hide-and-seek. Nearly 60 million people around the world are signed up to participate in a earthquake drill, the 2018 Great ShakeOut, […]

A worldwide earthquake drill may spur more homeowners to buy insurance

Oct 18, 2018
Do not be alarmed if, a bit later on Thursday, you turn to see a bunch of co-workers peering out from under their desks. It’s not an alien invasion or a spontaneous game of hide-and-seek. Nearly 60 million people around the world are signed up to participate in a earthquake drill, the 2018 Great ShakeOut, […]

The rise in "interactive insurance" could make you healthier — and more scrutinized

Sep 20, 2018
John Hancock is the latest insurer to offer policies with discounted premiums if policyholders agree to be monitored.
Participants who wear monitoring devices like the ones above can get cheaper premiums or rewards from John Hancock.
Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for Fitbit