Latest KFF Health News Stories
Murkowski’s ‘Spine Of Steel’ On Display During Health Care Debate
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has remained an unshakable opponent to Republicans’ health care efforts even after President Donald Trump accused her of letting the party down.
Given The Option To Repeal Obamacare, Senators Balk
The “clean” repeal proposal would have given lawmakers two years to come up with an alternative, but some Republicans found the idea untenable.
Marketplace Will Slide Into Death Spiral Under Skinny Plan, Insurers Warn
Young, healthy people would no longer have an incentive to buy insurance if the individual mandate is scrapped, thus driving costs up for everyone. Meanwhile, KHN offers a look at how “things went badly” when states tried to lift coverage requirements.
‘Political Punt’ Or GOP’s Best Chance: Attention Shifts To Skinny Plan As Other Options Fail
The plan would roll back only a few of the Affordable Care Act’s provisions, but in such a divided Senate, it might be Republicans’ only hope of getting something passed.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Repeal-And-Delay Proposal Fails In Senate, 45-55
As senators continue to debate health care legislation, a “clean” plan to repeal most of the Affordable Care Act in two years, without replacing it, fails to garner enough votes to pass.
Here’s a review of editorials and opinions on a range of public health issues.
Opinion writers offer their takes on health policies that operate as context to the current congressional debate.
How It’s Playing On the Ground: A ‘Farce’ Not A Plan? Scolding A Senator
News outlets beyond the beltway offer their perspectives on the Senate’s replacement for Obamacare and what lawmakers should be doing.
Editorial pages offer mostly harshly words but some positive thoughts on the Senate’s continuing effort to replace the Affordable Care Act.
Perspectives: Too Often In U.S. Profit Comes Before Public Interest
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Democrats Announce Three-Pronged Plan To Tackle High Drug Prices
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Colorado, Missouri, Minnesota, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, Kansas and Wisconsin.
Missouri Poised To Enact Stricter Abortion Regulations
Lawmakers approved a bill that provides the state’s attorney general with more power to prosecute abortion law violations and requires doctors to meet with patients three days before the procedure, among other rules. The bill has been sent to Republican Gov. Eric Greitens, who is expected to sign it.
Male Reproductive Health On The Decline
The decline in quality and concentration of men’s sperm has been a matter of hot debate, but one comprehensive study hopes to put any doubts to rest. In other public health news: flesh-eating bacteria, medical ethics, boosting resilience in midlife, injuries in young athletes and stem cell clinics.
Comprehensive Brain Injury Study Finds Extreme Prevalence Of Brain Injury In NFL Players
The study showed that 110 out of 111 brains had signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which causes myriad symptoms, including memory loss, confusion, depression and dementia.
Centene Corp. Bets On Obamacare, And Says It’s Paying Off
One of the biggest insurers participating in the Affordable Care Act’s marketplaces urged the federal government to preserve cost-sharing payments for its low-income consumers and reported a better-than-expected, second-quarter performance.
Under Repeal, One Out Of Twenty Health Care Jobs Would Possibly Be Eliminated In Next 10 Years
Repealing the law would dramatically scale back federal funding for health care, which translates into job losses as hospitals, retirement homes and other health facilities get fewer dollars.
How Growing Public Support For Obamacare Tripped Up The Republicans
The Affordable Care Act should have been easy to get rid of, considering how many Americans held a low opinion of it when Republicans came into office. But a shifting tide of support has been one of the things that has complicated matters.
If All Else Fails, Republicans May Turn To ‘Skinny Plan’ As Last Resort
The plan would leave most of the law intact but would roll back the individual and employer mandates and its tax on medical devices.
