Latest KFF Health News Stories
Global Health Progress Has Been Made, But U.S. Aid Cuts Could Be Lethal To Millions
Bill and Melinda Gates release a report card assessing global health, and warn only the United States is rich enough and generous enough to lead the charge on foreign aid. In other public health news: MRIs, tattoos and infections.
Aside From Florida Nursing Home Tragedy, Most Health Facilities Performed Well During Irma
Just 10 of Florida’s more than 300 hospitals were closed by the storm. While 150 of the 700 nursing homes lacked full power three days after Hurricane Irma struck, most had backup generators, according to the Florida Health Care Association. In Texas, a key federal official is looking at what lessons should be learned from Hurricane Harvey.
Trump Administration Embraces Partnership With Pharma To Fight Opioid Crisis
The partnership will “fast track” the development of non-opioid pain medication, as well as new medication-assisted treatment options. However, the administration still hasn’t moved forward with its opioid commission’s main recommendation, which was to declare a national emergency.
Senators Release Details Of Children’s Health Insurance Bill As Funding Deadline Approaches
The funding authority for the popular Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) expires on Sept. 30, but senators have a bipartisan proposal to extend it. Some states are getting nervous. In Medicaid news, a Republican candidate for governor in Ohio breaks with the state’s current Gov. John Kasich on Medicaid expansion.
After Government Guts Health Law Outreach Budget, Insurers Kick Off Own Ad Campaigns
“Particularly in this year of uncertainty, it’s really important for us to be in market early and and reassure the 22 million folks that are insured that it is really important to get covered,” says Sara Rowghani, insurance startup Oscar’s vice president. Meanwhile, Affordable Care Act navigators say their job is a lot more complex than the government seems to think.
There Are Now Three Senate Health Care Plans Pitted Against Each Other
News outlets take a deeper look at the Graham-Cassidy bill, the market stabilization efforts and the Democrats’ single-payer proposal.
Ryan Says House Would Vote On Senate’s Bill: ‘I’ll Take Federalism Over Obamacare Any Day’
House leaders and key conservative members have signaled a willingness to take up the measure if it passes the Senate, but its path through the lower chamber might not be completely smooth.
‘This Is A Red Siren Moment’: Democrats Launch Flurry Of Attacks Against Repeal Bill
The lawmakers are putting pressure on their moderate Republican colleagues to take a stand against the Graham-Cassidy bill. They also held the Senate floor for a four-hour talk-a-thon on Monday night.
CBO Warns It Won’t Have Time To Give Full Analysis On Graham-Cassidy Bill
That could make it difficult for some Republicans to throw support behind the bill, but it will also allow lawmakers to avoid any damaging headlines until after the vote. The Congressional Budget Office’s “preliminary assessment” is expected next week.
Senators’ Interpersonal Dynamics On Display As Lawmakers Try To Court Hold-Out Votes
Passing the latest repeal-and-replace bill may all come down to old friendships. Meanwhile a look at how this all came about, and how Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has been put into a strange position of supporting work created outside his leadership team.
A Look At Where Lawmakers Stand: It Will Take Three Senators To Put Final Nail In Repeal Coffin
Despite growing support for the Cassidy-Graham Bill, there are two senators likely to oppose the measure. One more would halt the latest proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
Once A Long Shot, Now Last-Ditch Repeal Effort Is Gaining Traction On Hill
The measure from Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) includes deeper spending cuts and covers fewer people than the bill in July.
First Edition: September 19, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Nursing Home ‘Horror’; Time To Talk About Mental Illness, Not Blame The Victim
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Different Takes: What To Do With CHIP; Deal With Threats To Obamacare Before Single Payer
News outlets examine a variety of pressing health policy issues, ranging from the reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program to what’s next for the Affordable Care Act.
Perspectives: All About Bernie’s ‘Medicare-For-All’ Plan
Editorial writers offer a variety of opinions on the single-payer health plan proposal advanced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
Media outlets report on news from Texas, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Virginia and Ohio.
Hospitals Involved In Safety Problems Rarely Face Serious Repercussions, Investigation Finds
USA Today has been following the probe into MedStar Washington Hospital Center for its sewage leaks. Outlets report on more hospital news from Kansas, Connecticut and Wisconsin as well.
LA Tries To Get Ahead Of Highly Contagious Hep A Outbreak That’s Sweeping San Diego
Since November, 421 people in San Diego County have been infected with the virus, including the 16 who died. So far Los Angeles has been spared, but they don’t want to be caught off-guard.
In hospitals, sickle cell patients are typically treated by generalists who know little about the disease and patients’ desperate need for pain relief. Some patients even delay seeking care because they know how much of a “battle” it will be. In other public health news, mental health after hurricanes, antidepressants, gut bacteria, leprosy, tattoos and more.
