Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

A Kansas Judge With No Law Degree Holds The Futures Of City Residents With Medical Debt In His Hands

Morning Briefing

In the midst of a soaring crisis over health care costs, the debt collection court in Coffeyville, Kansas is emblematic of a larger problem that’s been getting national attention. Providers, like hospitals, are suing some of the sickest clients, who are losing everything they own because they needed care. In other industry and insurance news: stocks, Amazon employees’ coverage, antitrust suits, and more.

Opioid Drug Distributors In Talks With State AGs Over Potential $18B Settlement As Massive Nationwide Trial Nears

Morning Briefing

McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, and Cardinal Health would collectively pay $18 billion over 18 years. Johnson & Johnson is also involved in the deal negotiations and could contribute additional money. The distributors are among the companies slated to go to trial Monday in federal court in Cleveland in the cases of two Ohio counties that have been chosen to serve as a bellwether for the broader litigation.

‘I Don’t Need Lessons From You On Courage’: Gun Debate Provokes Heated Exchange Between Buttigieg, O’Rourke

Morning Briefing

Following the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, Rep. Beto O’Rourke has prioritized gun violence in his messaging, vocally supporting a mandatory buy-back program. South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg accused O’Rourke was wasting precious time on something that won’t pass. The two butted heads in one of the more barbed exchanges of the night.

Sanders Promises He’s Feeling Healthy Following Heart Attack That Threw A Spotlight On The Issue Of Candidates’ Age

Morning Briefing

Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) and former Vice President Joe Biden were all left defending their health after a question about Sanders’ heart attack this month. The issue of age could be a thorny subject in the campaign where three of the leading Democrats, and the presidential incumbent himself, are septuagenarians.

Harris Takes A Stand: ‘It’s Outrageous’ None Of The Previous Debates Have Focused On Reproductive Health Care

Morning Briefing

Sen. Kamala Harris had an impassioned moment during the night when she called out the fact that after several Democratic debates little had been said about abortion and women’s access to health care. “It’s not an exaggeration to say women will die because these Republican legislatures in these various states who are out of touch with America are telling women what to do with their bodies,” she said.

Warren Feels The Heat As Rivals Pile-On Over Her Alleged Hedging On ‘Medicare For All’ Costs

Morning Briefing

The latest Democratic debate on Tuesday night highlighted the rising popularity of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in the polls as many of her rivals went on the attack. Most notably South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who struck a more aggressive tone than in previous debates, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), who is fighting for her place in the 2020 presidential race, had sharp words for the scope of Warren’s health plans. “I don’t understand why you believe the only way to deliver affordable coverage is to obliterate private plans,” Buttigieg said. Klobuchar joined in with, “At least Bernie’s being honest here and saying how he’s going to pay for this, and that taxes are going to go up.”