Latest KFF Health News Stories
With GOP Bill Nearly Dead Senators’ CNN Debate Became More Theory Than Practice
When the debate was set with Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) on one side and Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on the other, the Graham-Cassidy bill was gaining momentum. But by Monday night it looked all but dead, so the event lost some of its urgency.
A Recipe For Chaos: Even If Plan Passed, States Warn They Wouldn’t Be Able To Implement It
“Honestly, I am really struggling to figure out how we would respond,” said Teresa Miller, Pennsylvania’s acting secretary of human services, saying it’s “highly unlikely” Pennsylvania would be able to build a functioning insurance marketplace by the bill’s 2020 deadline. In other news, a look at what it would mean for consumers if the measure passed, The Washington Post fact checks remarks by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) on premiums, and critics focus on pre-existing conditions.
Confused About What Exactly The Graham-Cassidy Bill Does? Here’s A Cheat Sheet
Media outlets break down just what you need to know about the measure and what’s coming next.
For People Covered By Medicaid Expansion, Health Law Debate In Washington Hits Home
Many people who gained insurance through the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of Medicaid are fearful about suddenly losing that coverage. In other news, the National Association of Medicaid Directors makes clear that its opposition to a Republican plan to replace the ACA was issued as a consensus view of the board and not a unanimous decision by individual state directors, and The New York Times examines how a change in Medicaid compares to efforts to revamp welfare a generation ago.
‘Millions’ Of Americans Would Lose Insurance Under GOP Bill, CBO Projects In Partial Analysis
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office didn’t have enough time to do a full projection and its score was estimated from an earlier version of the Graham-Cassidy bill. But the agency says “the direction of the effect is clear.”
‘Kill The Bill, Don’t Kill Us’: Protests Erupt At Committee Hearing On GOP Health Measure
Police surrounded the protesters and escorted them out of the room, and more than 100 people were arrested at the hearing and on Capitol grounds.
Cassidy Will Keep ‘Plugging Along,’ But There Will Be No More Tweaks Coming To Woo Senators
Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) defended their proposed bill at a Senate Finance Committee hearing, where they sparred with Democratic senators.
Trump Says McCain’s Opposition To Health Bill Was ‘Slap In The Face To The Republican Party’
President Donald Trump in his Tweets and on a radio interview is pessimistic about the chances of the bill to replace Obamacare after Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) announced that he could not support the measure.
After Collins Officially Declares Opposition, Passing Health Bill Becomes ‘Nearly Impossible’
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) joins Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) in opposition of Republicans’ last-ditch efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, naming the “dramatic, sweeping cuts” to Medicaid as her top reason to vote no. The Republicans only had two votes to spare, so unless leadership can persuade one of three to change his or her vote, the bill would fail if brought to the floor.
First Edition: September 26, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Examining The Link Between Opioids And Medicaid; Putting The Squeeze On ACA Navigators
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country, including a range of thoughts on the Medicaid program and prescription drug costs.
Editorials from a variety of news outlets offer different thoughts on the current single-payer health plan being advanced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and whether it is picking up momentum.
Parsing The Plan: Graham-Cassidy Is A ‘Horror’ And ‘Legislative Malpractice’
In between what appears to be a tendency among editorial writers to give the GOP repeal-and-replace plan a grim review, one writer offers a defense.
Media outlets report on news from Massachusetts, California, Missouri, Maryland and Virginia.
While scientists look into the potential link, experts also say it is still very important for women to protect themselves and their babies from the flu. In other public health news: tetanus and other world health problems; mosquitoes; Zika; brain injuries and violence; restrictions on blood donors; and a quadruplet-success story.
As Heat Rose In Fla. Nursing Home, Staff Asked For Help But Few Understood The Emergency
Florida officials say they didn’t have any indication from the nursing home where 11 people would die that residents were in distress. But records show that phone calls went out to the power company, the governor and local officials and a facility that shared the building reported that the conditions were “adversely affecting patients,” according to The New York Times.
Time Quickly Ticking On Funding For Children’s Health Care As Hill Focuses On ACA Instead
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which has bipartisan support, has been shelved behind the GOP effort to replace the Affordable Care Act. But federal funding will begin to dry up Oct. 1 and states are warning lawmakers they will need funds quickly.
Sanders Champions Single-Player Plan To Receptive California Crowd: ‘We’re Going To Win This Fight’
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) also slammed the Republicans’ efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. California gubernatorial candidate and current Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom calls on the state’s Legislature to move its single-payer bill along.
Administration To Shut Down ACA Enrollment Website For 12 Hours On Most Sundays
The administration, which has come under fire from supporters of the Affordable Care Act, who say it is taking intentional steps to undermine the law’s performance, says the outages are for maintenance purposes.
Private Jets For Tom Price Grounded While Inspector General Investigates Travel Spending
“We’ve heard the criticism. We’ve heard the concerns. We take that very seriously and have taken it to heart,” says Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price about reports that he has spent $300,000 on private airplanes for government travel.
