Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Lawmakers That Trump Pushed Into Signing ‘Mean’ Bill Peeved At The President’s Candid Comments

Morning Briefing

Although President Donald Trump personally helped champion the legislation through the House and called it a “great plan” when it passed, he is now saying it’s “mean” and that the Senate should be more “generous” in its version. The about-face has left lawmakers scratching their heads. Meanwhile, in the upper chamber, each senator is fighting for their own state’s best interest, but not everyone is going to win, and Democrats hit pause on the health fight after Wednesday’s shooting.

First Edition: June 15, 2017

Morning Briefing

SEND IN YOUR QUESTIONS!: KHN is launching our new Facebook group on navigating aging with a live online chat, “Getting Smarter About Getting Older.” You can send in questions ahead of time here. But make sure to mark your calendars for 12 p.m. on June 20 to join in the conversation on Facebook Live with Judith Graham, our Navigating Aging columnist, and her guest Dr. Lee Ann Lindquist.

The Latest Tool To Fight The Opioid Epidemic: Lawsuits

Morning Briefing

It’s a strategy that harkens back to the 1990s when Big Tobacco was in a similar situation. Meanwhile, the epidemic is bringing up medical privacy issues, the Food and Drug Administration is trying to figure out if anti-abuse deterrents work and a drugmaker is working with the agency on its request to pull a powerful opioid from the market.

Although Known For His Firebrand Tactics, Cruz Now Embracing Role Of Diplomat In Health Talks

Morning Briefing

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is emerging as an unlikely voice in helping to get his conservative colleagues to a “yes” on health care legislation. In other news on the American Health Care Act, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) predicts the president will have a health bill on his desk by August, while Senate Democrats demand a hearing on any potential legislation before a vote.