Latest KFF Health News Stories
With No Votes To Spare, Two More Republican Defections Effectively Kill Senate Health Bill
Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) say they can’t vote for the legislation. “We should not put our stamp of approval on bad policy,” Moran wrote on Twitter.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
No Path To 50 Votes: Two More Senators Oppose Health Legislation
Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) simultaneously announce that they can not vote for the Senate health bill as it is currently drafted. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell could not afford to lose any more Republicans to pass the measure. President Donald Trump said in a tweet that move to a clean repeal of Obamacare.
State And Local Views: Senate GOP Health Bill ‘Fundamentally Wrong;’ Devastating To Rural Families
Editorial pages across the country take a hard look at the Senate GOP health care plan and examine their own senators’ roles in the debate and the current proposal’s local impact.
Perspectives: Governors Step Up As Senators Step Back; More Tough Takes On The GOP Health Plan
Opinion writers examine the policy and political dynamics in play as the Senate GOP continues its efforts to replace the Affordable Care Act.
Media outlets report on coverage from Arizona, Massachusetts, D.C., New York, California, Pennsylvania, Washington, Kansas and Louisiana.
More Americans Getting Sick From Making Mistakes With Their Medication
Accidentally taking the wrong dose or drug is leading to more “serious medical outcomes,” a study finds. Today’s other public health news headlines cover Alzheimer’s, artificial sweeteners’ role in weight loss, diet and exercise counseling, anorexia, the benefits of dirt, diabetes, belly fat and a bizarre medical case.
Anthem Sues Insys Therapeutics Over Reimbursement ‘Scheme’ For Painkiller
Anthem, one of the nation’s largest health insurers, is alleging that the drugmaker used a “creative, illegal, and fraudulent” scheme in pursuing reimbursement for the painkiller Subsys.
Hospitals Lobbied Hard To Keep Tax Breaks Under ACA, But They’re Not Sharing Their Windfall
Through millions of newly insured patients, hospitals have raked in money since the Affordable Care Act was passed. But their spending on direct charity care has actually fallen.
States Scramble To Cajole, Entice and Pressure Insurers Back Into Marketplace
“There is a general feeling that we’re on the front lines,” says Julie Mix McPeak, Tennessee’s insurance commissioner.
If GOP Plan Passes, Some States Will Likely End Medicaid Expansion Early
The program would likely become too costly for them to maintain. Meanwhile, a new report shows that the proposed legislation would cut Medicaid funding by as much as 39 percent. And media outlets report on other news on the program out of Pennsylvania, Montana, Michigan, California, Texas, Virginia and Ohio.
Preventive Care Efforts Were Boosted Under ACA, But GOP’s Plan Would Make Them Vulnerable Again
Regular screenings and preventive care are responsible for catching serious problems before they become expensive disasters. But with the cuts under the GOP’s proposed legislation, some worry the progress made through the Affordable Care Act will be lost. Meanwhile, the Republicans’ plan depends on young people buying insurance even though that lesson was already learned, and a look at the winners and losers under the plan.
Possible Return Of ‘Junk Insurance’ Worries Those Who Remember Bare Bones Coverage All Too Well
Many Republicans, including President Donald Trump, say giving insurers the leeway to offer less-comprehensive plans will give people greater choice and cheaper options, but experts say it will skew the marketplace in favor of young, healthy people at the expense of sick people.
Pence, Price Try To Woo Governors, But Many Remain Skeptical
Despite their best efforts Vice President Mike Pence and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price did little to sway Republican governors, who are worried about the rollback of the Medicaid expansion, at their national conference.
Delay Provides Breathing Room To Net More Votes, But Also Gives Time For Doubts To Fester
Both moderate and conservative Republicans on the fence about the proposed legislation, with Sen. Susan Collins of Maine saying at least eight of her colleagues have expressed concerns.
With No Room For Error, McConnell Delays Health Vote While McCain Recovers From Surgery
Without Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) — who had a craniotomy Friday — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) wouldn’t have the 50 votes needed to get his legislation passed. To add to the timeline, the Congressional Budget Office announced Sunday that it would not release an updated score of the bill Monday, as originally expected.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers offer their thoughts on a range of health issues.
Critics’ Take: The Updated Senate Health Bill Is Still Ugly After Cosmetic Changes; An ‘Abomination’
Opinion writers reacted with tough talk to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s latest health bill tweaks. The Wall Street Journal, however, terms the bill a “net improvement over the Obamacare status quo.”
Editorial pages examine the political dynamics involved in the debate surrounding the Senate GOP’s efforts to pass a health bill.
