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Health Care

Arterial Motives

The Big Business of Clogged Arteries

Millions of Americans suffer from clogged arteries. But doctors have dangerous incentives to perform excessive and risky procedures.

Impact of Our Reporting
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Arterial Motives

Senators Demand Answers About “Alarming” Reports of Excessive and Risky Artery Procedures on Veterans

Hours after ProPublica and The Wichita Eagle published allegations of kickbacks for the “egregious” use of medical devices at a veterans hospital, Kansas’ Republican senators have questions for the VA secretary.

by Annie Waldman,

12 stories published since 2023

This Researcher Warned of Unnecessary, Risky Vascular Procedures. She Was Called a “Nazi” and Accused of “Fratricide.”

by Annie Waldman,

How ProPublica and CareSet Investigated the Overuse of Vascular Procedures

by Annie Waldman, ProPublica, with data analysis by Alma Trotter and Fred Trotter, CareSet,

Thousands of Patients May Be Undergoing Vascular Procedures Too Soon or Unnecessarily

by Annie Waldman, ProPublica, with data analysis by Alma Trotter and Fred Trotter, CareSet,

Unstoppable: This Doctor Has Been Investigated at Every Level of Government. How Is He Still Practicing?

by Annie Waldman,

¿Tiene una arteria bloqueada en la pierna? Esto es lo que debe saber.

por Annie Waldman,

¿Tiene experiencia con la enfermedad arterial periférica? ¿Ha tenido un procedimiento en su pierna? Cuéntenos al respecto.

por Annie Waldman y Maya Miller,

Cenas con bistec, representantes de ventas y procedimientos riesgosos: Dentro del gran negocio de las arterias obstruidas

por Annie Waldman,

En el “salvaje oeste” de la atención vascular ambulatoria, los médicos pueden obtener grandes pagos a medida que los pacientes arriesgan la vida y las extremidades

por Annie Waldman,

Blocked Artery in Your Leg? Here’s What You Should Know.

by Annie Waldman,

In the “Wild West” of Outpatient Vascular Care, Doctors Can Reap Huge Payments as Patients Risk Life and Limb

by Annie Waldman,

Do You Have Experience With Peripheral Artery Disease? Have You Had a Procedure on Your Leg? Tell Us About It.

by Annie Waldman and Maya Miller,

Steak Dinners, Sales Reps and Risky Procedures: Inside the Big Business of Clogged Arteries

by Annie Waldman,

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

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Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

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Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

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Jesse Coburn

I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.

If you don’t have a specific tip or story in mind, we could still use your help. Sign up to be a member of our federal worker source network to stay in touch.

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