Latest KFF Health News Stories
Media outlets report on news from California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Colorado, New Hampshire, Florida, Minnesota and Georgia.
New Shingles Vaccine May Be Approved With Preferred Rating From Influential Expert Panel
Today’s other public health news covers increased options for mammograms, the connection between the gut and brain, new science on dreams and screening kids for obesity.
How Can You Avoid Dementia? Experts Say Control Blood Pressure And Stay Active
Other tips include targeted brain-training, but overall a U.S. panel of 17 experts finds few effective strategies for preventing Alzheimer’s and age-related dementia.
CQ Roll Call reports that a draft document indicates that the Trump administration leaning toward a roll back of regulations to foster faster drug approvals and promoting competition and new payment models for federal insurance programs. In other pharmaceutical industry news, Mylan shareholders reject the EpiPen maker’s executive pay policy but re-elect its board.
Humana Chief Says Obamacare Markets Are ‘Just Not A Business That We Will Be Good At’
CEO Bruce Broussard tells Reuters that the insurer will not be going back into the individual market, no matter what changes Congress makes to the Affordable Care Act.
Reverberations Of Republicans’ Health Bill Felt In States
Media outlets report on reactions in California, Texas, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, Massachusetts, Kansas and Florida.
More Approve Of Obamacare Than House Republicans’ Replacement Bill, New Poll Finds
But the new Wall Street Journal/NBC News survey also shows that a majority of Americans want fixes to the existing health law. A separate AARP poll also reports low approval numbers for the American Health Care Act that passed in the House last month.
Hospital Groups Heap Criticism On GOP’s Plan: ‘Go Back To The Drawing Board’
Health industry groups either came out strongly against the proposed legislation or remained quiet on the day of its release.
Democrats’ Reaction: This Bill Is Worse Than Expected
In responding to the Senate GOP’s health plan, Democrats on both sides of the Capitol were quick to term it a “harmful” and “heartless” measure.
Obama Lambastes Repeal Plan: There’s A ‘Fundamental Meanness At The Core Of This Legislation’
Former President Barack Obama spoke out on Facebook against Republicans’ efforts to overturn his signature legislation.
Trump Tweets That ‘I Am Very Supportive’ Of Senate Health Plan
President Donald Trump also called the four Republicans who say they can’t vote for the Senate bill in its current form, “good guys.”
Outlets offer a look the difference between the Affordable Care Act, the House’s American Health Care Act and the Senate’s Better Care Reconciliation Act.
McConnell And His Health Plan: Skilled Strategist Is Keeping Cards Close To Chest
The precarious fate of the legislation is resting on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s shoulders.
Here’s What’s Coming Next: CBO Score, Debates, Amendments And A Vote Next Week
Senate Republicans are aiming for a final vote next Thursday.
Where The Rest Of The Senators Stand
Apart from the four lawmakers that came out immediately against the plan, here’s a look at what the other 96 are thinking.
Four Republicans Swiftly Announce Opposition, Endangering Bill’s Chance Of Passage
Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas), Mike Lee (Utah), Ron Johnson (Wis.) and Rand Paul (Ky.) release a joint statement about their problems with the legislation, but their stances appear to be negotiable.
Senate Health Bill Includes House Provision To Cut N.Y. Counties’ Medicaid Obligations
The bill would have additional repercussions for other states, too. For instance, because of state law, Illinois could feel the cutback in Medicaid faster than other states. News outlets look at some of the concerns in New York, Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia, California and Georgia.
Defunding Of Planned Parenthood Slammed: ‘Women Of America Should Have Fear Struck’ In Their Hearts
The Republicans’ plan strips federal funding for the organization for a year.
Senate Plan Would Give Corporations, High Income Earners A $1 Trillion Tax Cut
The draft released by Senate leaders would delay the Cadillac tax on expensive health insurance and repeal the health law’s taxes on investment income, high-income Medicare beneficiaries, employers who don’t offer insurance, people who don’t get insurance, medical devices and tanning services.
$2B Included To Fight Opioid Epidemic Far Short Of The Funding Some Republicans Were Seeking
Republican senators in states that have been hit hard by the crisis were seeking $45 billion over 10 years.
