Latest KFF Health News Stories
‘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.
What’s With All The Zeal To Resurrect Repeal Efforts? Some Hint At Backlash From GOP Donors
Sources say Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado, who is in charge of his party’s midterm re-election push, warned about the impact to the party’s coffers if lawmakers fail to make movement on their major promises.
Graham-Cassidy Bill Did What Other GOP Attempts Didn’t: Unified Industry Opposition
Criticisms of the bill from insurers, medical groups and hospital go beyond ideological or political differences. These organizations really think it just won’t work.
It’s Not Just Blue States That Will Be Hurt Under GOP Plan — Trump Country Would Take Hit Too
Of the 30 states Donald Trump carried in his presidential victory, 16 would lose federal health care money under the bill to dismantle Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act. But California will be one of the states that’s hurt the most. Media outlets take a look at the impact in Texas, Washington, New Hampshire and Connecticut as well.
Beyond Preexisting Conditions And Medicaid: How GOP Plan Would Affect Americans’ Health Care
Media outlets take a look at how the Graham-Cassidy plan would alter the country’s health care landscape.
Cassidy Claims Coverage For Preexisting Conditions Is ‘Absolutely The Same’ But That’s Not True
The Graham-Cassidy measure gives states flexibility, so some may not waive the protections. Others, however, might.
