Latest KFF Health News Stories
As Congress Tarries On Health Law Debate, Concerns Grow Among Medicaid Beneficiaries
Among the groups worried about future Medicaid payments are rural hospitals and schools with large numbers of students with special needs. Meanwhile, the friction among Kansas Republicans’ priorities mirrors what’s developing on the national scene, and Hawaii’s Democratic congressional delegation seeks Medicaid help for other Pacific Islanders.
AMA Speaks Out Against Republicans’ Health Care Plan
“Each bill results in millions more Americans without health insurance coverage, weakened markets, less access to affordable coverage and care, and the undermining of funding for state Medicaid programs,” Dr. James L. Madara, the group’s CEO, said in a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). Media outlets look at how small businesses and others are reacting to the proposed legislation, as well.
Former CBO Chiefs Fire Back At Republicans’ Attacks On Agency’s Integrity, Professionalism
The directors wrote to congressional leaders to urge them to “maintain and respect the Congress’s decades-long reliance on Congressional Budget Office’s estimates in developing and scoring bills.”
GOP Will Go Back To Drawing Board On Repeal If This Week’s Vote Fails, Top Senator Promises
“It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when,” said Senate GOP Conference chairman John Thune (R-S.D.). Media outlets also look at where other lawmakers stand on the issue.
Health Care Efforts Edge Toward Chaos As Senators ‘Don’t Even Know’ What They’re Voting On
“I don’t know whether we’re proceeding to the House bill, a new version of the Senate bill, the old version of the Senate bill, the 2015 repeal-and-hope-that-we-come-up-with something-in-two-years bill. I truly don’t,” Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is continuing his push for some vote this week.
Senate Parliamentarian Tosses Another Roadblock Onto Already Bumpy Path To Health Vote
Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough says Republicans would need 60 votes to maintain abortion-related provisions in their legislation, in addition to others, because they don’t relate to the budget.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Here’s a review of editorials and opinions on a range of public health issues.
Media outlets explore important health policy questions.
Perspectives: End The ‘War On Medicaid’; Keep Eyes On Medicaid In Congressional Health Debate
Opinion writers examine Medicaid’s role in the current effort to replace the health law as well as ideas about controlling the program’s costs, ethical issues related to spending down assets to qualify for it and other provocative topics.
Editorial pages offer tough takes on the Trump administration’s executive maneuvers to render the Affordable Care Act powerless, the Republican’s plans to replace it and how this particular legislative fight shows Washington “at its worst.”
Research Roundup: Early Hospice Discharges Turn Profits; Integrating Mental Health Care
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from New Hampshire, California, Massachusetts, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Arizona, Texas, Ohio and Florida.
How D.C. Pulled Itself Back From The Brink Of An AIDS Epidemic
A decade ago, city officials realized they had to take action, and they turned the numbers around. Stateline looks at how they did it. In other public health news: a breakthrough on cancer, mental illness, female homicide victims, antibiotics and birth defects, heart health and more.
The online forum does not allow users to solicit illegal substances, but those seeking opioids find ways to get around those rules. On the other hand, the forums help some form a community to help get them through the difficult process of getting and staying sober.
Texas Sued Again Over Anti-Abortion Laws
Planned Parenthood and other groups are suing the state over its ban on a second-trimester procedure. Also in Texas, state lawmakers consider further abortion regulations. Elsewhere, women’s reproductive health issues draw headlines in Ohio and Washington state.
Trump Administration Seeking New Federal Payment System For Mental Health Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced it wants to design a payment or service delivery model to improve health care quality and access for Medicare, Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program beneficiaries who need behavioral health treatment.
Media outlets take a look at what bipartisan efforts might entail.
The Devil They Know: Some Americans’ Dread Of What Will Replace ACA Overtakes Distaste For Law
Even those who have been strongly opposed to the Affordable Care Act in the past are now speaking out in favor of keeping it. “Now that you’ve insured an additional 20 million people, you can’t just take the insurance away from these people,” says one Obamacare opponent. “It’s just not the right thing to do.”
Seema Verma’s ‘Street Credibility’ Helps As She Lobbies Senate For Obamacare Replacement
Verma is the new head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and a close ally of Vice President Mike Pence after helping him revamp Indiana’s Medicaid program. She is frequently on Capitol Hill to meet with wavering lawmakers. News outlets also look at Medicaid provisions in the Senate legislation and the effects on states.
