Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health Care Efforts Edge Toward Chaos As Senators ‘Don’t Even Know’ What They’re Voting On
“I don’t know whether we’re proceeding to the House bill, a new version of the Senate bill, the old version of the Senate bill, the 2015 repeal-and-hope-that-we-come-up-with something-in-two-years bill. I truly don’t,” Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is continuing his push for some vote this week.
Senate Parliamentarian Tosses Another Roadblock Onto Already Bumpy Path To Health Vote
Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough says Republicans would need 60 votes to maintain abortion-related provisions in their legislation, in addition to others, because they don’t relate to the budget.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Follow The Money: Drugmakers Deploy Political Cash As Prices And Anger Mount
Embattled opioid seller Mallinckrodt is one of many pharmaceutical companies boosting political contributions and lobbying on Capitol Hill.
In Appalachia, Two Hospital Giants Seek State-Sanctioned Monopoly
Tennessee and Virginia regulators are considering approval of a merger between Mountain States Health Alliance and Wellmont Health System under their state laws. If they allow it, the Federal Trade Commission would be powerless to stop it.
California Valley Fever Cases Highest On Record
Nearly 5,400 cases of the soil-borne fungal disease were reported in 2016, the largest number since the state began tracking the illness in 1995, according to public health officials.
Opioid Treatment Funds In Senate Bill Would Fall Far Short Of Needs
The $45 billion for opioid treatment in the Senate bill sounds like a lot of money, but an advocate estimates it would provide $1,000 to $2,000 per year for each person in Pennsylvania who might need treatment. Meanwhile, one year of methadone treatment for opioid addiction costs about $4,700 per year,
Senate Parliamentarian Upends GOP Hopes For Health Bill
The parliamentarian finds that provisions of the bill cannot go forward with a simple majority vote.
Here’s a review of editorials and opinions on a range of public health issues.
Media outlets explore important health policy questions.
Perspectives: End The ‘War On Medicaid’; Keep Eyes On Medicaid In Congressional Health Debate
Opinion writers examine Medicaid’s role in the current effort to replace the health law as well as ideas about controlling the program’s costs, ethical issues related to spending down assets to qualify for it and other provocative topics.
Editorial pages offer tough takes on the Trump administration’s executive maneuvers to render the Affordable Care Act powerless, the Republican’s plans to replace it and how this particular legislative fight shows Washington “at its worst.”
Research Roundup: Early Hospice Discharges Turn Profits; Integrating Mental Health Care
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from New Hampshire, California, Massachusetts, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Arizona, Texas, Ohio and Florida.
How D.C. Pulled Itself Back From The Brink Of An AIDS Epidemic
A decade ago, city officials realized they had to take action, and they turned the numbers around. Stateline looks at how they did it. In other public health news: a breakthrough on cancer, mental illness, female homicide victims, antibiotics and birth defects, heart health and more.
The online forum does not allow users to solicit illegal substances, but those seeking opioids find ways to get around those rules. On the other hand, the forums help some form a community to help get them through the difficult process of getting and staying sober.
Texas Sued Again Over Anti-Abortion Laws
Planned Parenthood and other groups are suing the state over its ban on a second-trimester procedure. Also in Texas, state lawmakers consider further abortion regulations. Elsewhere, women’s reproductive health issues draw headlines in Ohio and Washington state.
Trump Administration Seeking New Federal Payment System For Mental Health Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced it wants to design a payment or service delivery model to improve health care quality and access for Medicare, Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program beneficiaries who need behavioral health treatment.
Media outlets take a look at what bipartisan efforts might entail.
The Devil They Know: Some Americans’ Dread Of What Will Replace ACA Overtakes Distaste For Law
Even those who have been strongly opposed to the Affordable Care Act in the past are now speaking out in favor of keeping it. “Now that you’ve insured an additional 20 million people, you can’t just take the insurance away from these people,” says one Obamacare opponent. “It’s just not the right thing to do.”