Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

America Tries To Upend Global Resolution On Breast-Feeding With Threats Of Trade Retaliation

Morning Briefing

The resolution on the benefits of breast-feeding from the World Health Assembly was expected to pass easily, but U.S. officials resorted to threats after their attempts to water the measure down failed. In the end, Russia stepped in to introduce the resolution.

Risk Their Own Seats Or Demoralize Liberal Voters? Red-State Dems Caught Between Rock And Hard Place

Morning Briefing

The upcoming battle over the Supreme Court nominee may prove tricky for Democratic senators who come from more conservative states. “You deserve a senator who doesn’t just talk like he’s from Montana,” President Donald Trump said as he stepped up pressure on one of the senators, Jon Tester, the conservative state’s two-term Democrat. “You deserve a senator who actually votes like he’s from Montana.”

Trump Holds Cards Close To Chest, Stokes The Dramatics Surrounding Supreme Court Nomination

Morning Briefing

President Donald Trump says that he will make a decision today before a televised event announcing the pick. The four judges on the short-list are Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, Thomas Hardiman and Raymond Kethledge. Kavanaugh was at one point rumored to be the front-runner, but it’s unclear if that’s still the case.

Administration Freezes Program That Pays Billions To Insurers To Help Stabilize Health Law Marketplaces

Morning Briefing

Trump administration officials said they decided to suspend payments under the program because of a ruling in February from a Federal District Court in New Mexico. The judge tossed out the formula used to calculate payments, finding that it was flawed. Insurers warned that the move will have a detrimental effect on the marketplaces just as the companies are setting premiums for next year.

How Do Companies Offer Mail-Order DNA Without Inadvertently Playing Part In Creation Of Biological Weapons?

Morning Briefing

Biotech companies who sell genes may be helping unlock cures for diseases, but there’s always the threat that those could end up in the wrong hands. Now the industry is struggling to put protections in place while not impeding progress. In other public health news: breast cancer, obesity, Alzheimer’s, cancer rates, tips on staying cool and more.

Ohio State University Doctor Faces Allegations Of Sexual Misconduct Against Athletes Spanning Decades

Morning Briefing

Richard Strauss has been accused of fondling athletes during medical exams and ogling naked young men, sometimes showering with them multiple times a day or perching himself on a stool to stare. Meanwhile, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) denies charges that he ignored the allegations while he was an assistant wrestling coach with the university.

Despite Litany Of Red Flags, Purdue Continued To Pursue Profits Over People, Unsealed Lawsuit Claims

Morning Briefing

The newly unsealed 274-page lawsuit from Tennessee against the opioid-maker provides deeper details about the warning signs Purdue allegedly ignored in pursuit of profits. News on the epidemic comes out of Illinois and Pennsylvania as well.

Pharma Companies Develop Counter-Strategy To Insurers’ Tactic Of Moving Patients Away From Expensive Drugs

Morning Briefing

Insurers are making patients pay a higher portion of the pricey drugs’ costs, but pharmaceutical companies are parrying that move by dramatically raising the financial aid they offer, in the form of “copay assistance” cards.

EPA Report On Dangers Of Formaldehyde To Most Americans Being Deliberately Delayed, Sources Claim

Morning Briefing

The new assessment on the chemical could lead to greater restrictions and possible class-action lawsuits. “They’re stonewalling every step of the way,” one official said, accusing political appointees of interfering with the formaldehyde assessment and other reports on toxic chemicals.

Torn Between Stoking Fired-Up Base And Protecting Red-State Candidates, Dems To Focus On Abortion, Health Law In High Court Battle

Morning Briefing

The upcoming fight over the Supreme Court nomination has Democrats walking a fine line of protecting vulnerable seats and not discouraging their revved-up liberal base. Their strategy: make the conversation about both abortion and the health law. For moderate Democrats who can’t defend abortion rights in their red states, they have the ACA as a talking point. Meanwhile, a nominee could be named as early as Monday, but behind-the-scenes sources say President Donald Trump hasn’t settled on a pick yet.