Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Marketplace Would Be Fundamentally Rocked With Repeal Of Individual Mandate

Morning Briefing

Media outlets offer a look at what would happen to the Affordable Care Act exchanges if lawmakers include repeal of the individual mandate in their tax package. Meanwhile, Democrats seize on the turmoil as a way to get their base interested in the Republicans’ tax overhaul.

First Edition: November 16, 2017

Morning Briefing

LOOK AT US!: Kaiser Health News has a brand new look. With our readers’ feedback, we’ve changed the website to make it easier to discover important news, investigations, columns and multimedia. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Complaints To Nursing Homes Can Result In Evictions In Minn.

Morning Briefing

An investigation by the Minneapolis Star Tribune finds complaints about involuntary discharges and transfers from senior care facilities have surged 50 percent since 2012. Meanwhile in Florida, nursing homes are asking the state to help pay for emergency generators.

Forget Bulky Fitbits, This Scientist Wants To Create Medical Wearables So Thin You Forget About Them

Morning Briefing

Ana Claudia Arias is developing such products as a bandage-like sensor that could monitor a wound’s healing process or one that could slip into a diabetic’s shoe and warn about foot ulcers the person wouldn’t be able to feel.

With Spotlight On Physical Devastation Football Causes, Question Becomes — Why Do Kids Still Play?

Morning Briefing

“Once upon a time a good hit would make me stand and cheer,” says Amy Stover. “Now, when I watch a game and a hit happens and someone goes down, I freeze, I feel sick. Will they get up? Are they okay? The consequences of the hit are so very vivid and real now.” In other public health news, gene editing, PTSD, maternal deaths, depression, soda, and more.

In Anticipated Study, Monthly Opioid Treatment Shown To Be About As Effective As Daily Pill

Morning Briefing

But the monthly treatment is more difficult because participants have to wean themselves off opioids for a period of three days before they could start taking Vivitrol. Because of that hurdle, patients failed to start on Vivitrol at four times the rate that they did on the daily medication Suboxone.

GOP Slips Repeal Of Individual Mandate Into Tax Bill In Hopes Of Scoring Two-In-One Victory

Morning Briefing

Not only would repealing the individual mandate save billions over the next decade, but it would allow Republicans to fulfill a years-long promise to voters. The Democrats and many in the health industry, however, are ardently opposed to the move.

First Edition: November 15, 2017

Morning Briefing

LOOK AT US!: Kaiser Health News has a brand new look. With our readers’ feedback, we’ve changed the website to make it easier to discover important news, investigations, columns and multimedia. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Repeal Of ACA Individual Mandate To Be Added To Senate Tax Bill

Morning Briefing

Following a renewed push from President Donald Trump and conservative senators, Senate Republicans agree to include a measure repealing the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate to their version of the tax bill.

Policy Thoughts: Weighing The Wisdom Of Using The ACA To Pay For Tax Cuts; Have Efforts To Scrap Obamacare Made It Stronger?

Morning Briefing

Opinion writers offer their thoughts on a range of health policy topics, including future congressional efforts to move on the Alexander-Murray bill, the importance of access to health insurance and the latest on Medicaid from Ohio and Iowa.