Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

2 Health Care Issues Collide On Capitol Hill And The Result Is Confusion

KFF Health News Original

KHN’s Julie Rovner talks to WBUR’s Robin Young about the new Republican proposal for the health law replacement bill and the controversy over continuing federal funding for cost-sharing subsidies for low-income marketplace customers.

California’s Long-Shot Single-Payer Health Bill Advances

Morning Briefing

“It is time to say once and for all that health care is a right, not a privilege for those who can afford it,” said Democratic state Sen. Ricardo Lara of Bell Gardens, who wrote the bill along with Democratic state Sen. Toni Atkins of San Diego. However, an essential question is unanswered: Where will the money come from?

Motivated By Current Political Climate, International Group To Provide Abortion Pill Advice In U.S.

Morning Briefing

Women Help Women is a business headquartered in the Netherlands that provides women with counseling on abortion medication through its websites. And, media outlets report on other women’s health news out of Louisiana, Kansas, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Texas.

Stem Cells Touted As Miraculous Cure For Some Diseases Found To Have Cancer-Causing Mutations

Morning Briefing

Five out of 140 registered stem lines have cells with the mutation, two of which had been used in clinical trials in an unknown number of patients. In other public health news: tracing the origins of autism and epilepsy; reality meets hype when it comes to cancer drugs; funding the Zika battle; caregiving and dementia; and more.

Escalation To Elephant Tranquilizers Marks New Normal In Rampant Opioid Epidemic

Morning Briefing

Recent deaths in a handful of states have been tied to carfentanil, which is 100 times more potent than the already-powerful fentanyl. “It shows how callous these drug dealers are,” Synan said. “It has no human use whatsoever and they’re putting it out on the street and wreaking havoc.”

Ark. Governor Expected To Ask Lawmakers To Trim Eligibility For Medicaid Expansion Program

Morning Briefing

Under the plan — previewed by state officials — about 60,000 people who gained Medicaid through the health law’s expansion will lose coverage but they could instead apply for insurance through Obamacare marketplace policies. Also, the Florida House passed a bill that would set up work requirements for Medicaid enrollees.

Trump Backs Off On Threat To Insurer Subsidies Easing Way For Spending Negotiations

Morning Briefing

The administration said it will continue to pay for the subsidies after House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said they wouldn’t be included in the spending bill. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) says the move is progress, but insurers contend it doesn’t go far enough to protect the payments.

GOP Leaders Offer Option To End Provision That Guaranteed Their Coverage In Health Bill

Morning Briefing

The compromise that conservatives and moderate Republicans worked out this week as a replacement for the federal health law contained a provision that exempted members of Congress and their staffs from losing their guaranteed benefits. That brought jeers from Democrats, and party leaders crafted a bill to get rid of that exemption.

All Eyes Turn Toward Moderates As Conservatives Give Approval To Revived GOP Health Plan

Morning Briefing

It’s unclear whether the compromises made to woo the Freedom Caucus cost them moderate votes, but some lawmakers say they’re hopeful it will pass. The vote could come possibly as early as Friday, although some members suggest it will take longer for lawmakers to make their decisions.