Latest KFF Health News Stories
Media outlets report on news from D.C., Massachusetts, Kansas, Iowa, New Hampshire, California, Ohio, Colorado and Michigan.
Governor’s Order Makes Missouri Last State To Adopt Prescription Drug Database
Republican Gov. Eric Greitens surprises state lawmakers with is executive order creating a drug monitoring program. News outlets also cover efforts in Wisconsin and Massachusetts to combat the opioid epidemic.
Staving Off Dementia May Start With A Good Night’s Sleep
New research finds that the brain’s ability to have time to clear away toxins that build up during the day. Meanwhile, another study looks at the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s.
Health Insurers Defend Price Hikes, Pointing To Confusion In Washington
They say they don’t even know if the government will continue to require Americans to sign up, and higher costs may mean fewer people do so. Meanwhile, KHN answers some questions about what consumers can expect on the marketplaces next year.
When It Comes To Path Forward, Intra-Party Discord Isn’t Limited To GOP
There’s a strong push from the left-wing of the Democratic Party for a single-payer system, but others aren’t convinced that’s the way to go.
How ‘The Party Of No’ Failed To Get To Yes On Health Care, And What That Means For The GOP
The Republicans relearned a hard lesson: It’s hard to take away benefits from Americans. Media outlets look at how they got to this point, and what the ramifications are for the party.
Trump Wants To Score A Health Care Win — And Doesn’t Necessarily Matter What It Looks Like
President Donald Trump was wining and dining senators last night in a push to build support for the GOP’s proposed legislation while two Republicans announced their plans to oppose the bill. Soon after, the president took to Twitter, urging Congress to focus on repeal first measures instead.
McConnell May Be Leading Conservatives Out On A Limb With Repeal-Only Vote
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has admitted his health care legislation has failed, but he is now throwing down a gauntlet in a possible effort to spread some of the blame around. Conservatives will get a chance at straight up repeal — which is likely to be blocked by moderates — but first they have to go on record voting for a House bill they loathe.
With No Votes To Spare, Two More Republican Defections Effectively Kill Senate Health Bill
Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) say they can’t vote for the legislation. “We should not put our stamp of approval on bad policy,” Moran wrote on Twitter.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
No Path To 50 Votes: Two More Senators Oppose Health Legislation
Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) simultaneously announce that they can not vote for the Senate health bill as it is currently drafted. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell could not afford to lose any more Republicans to pass the measure. President Donald Trump said in a tweet that move to a clean repeal of Obamacare.
State And Local Views: Senate GOP Health Bill ‘Fundamentally Wrong;’ Devastating To Rural Families
Editorial pages across the country take a hard look at the Senate GOP health care plan and examine their own senators’ roles in the debate and the current proposal’s local impact.
Perspectives: Governors Step Up As Senators Step Back; More Tough Takes On The GOP Health Plan
Opinion writers examine the policy and political dynamics in play as the Senate GOP continues its efforts to replace the Affordable Care Act.
Media outlets report on coverage from Arizona, Massachusetts, D.C., New York, California, Pennsylvania, Washington, Kansas and Louisiana.
More Americans Getting Sick From Making Mistakes With Their Medication
Accidentally taking the wrong dose or drug is leading to more “serious medical outcomes,” a study finds. Today’s other public health news headlines cover Alzheimer’s, artificial sweeteners’ role in weight loss, diet and exercise counseling, anorexia, the benefits of dirt, diabetes, belly fat and a bizarre medical case.
Anthem Sues Insys Therapeutics Over Reimbursement ‘Scheme’ For Painkiller
Anthem, one of the nation’s largest health insurers, is alleging that the drugmaker used a “creative, illegal, and fraudulent” scheme in pursuing reimbursement for the painkiller Subsys.
Hospitals Lobbied Hard To Keep Tax Breaks Under ACA, But They’re Not Sharing Their Windfall
Through millions of newly insured patients, hospitals have raked in money since the Affordable Care Act was passed. But their spending on direct charity care has actually fallen.
States Scramble To Cajole, Entice and Pressure Insurers Back Into Marketplace
“There is a general feeling that we’re on the front lines,” says Julie Mix McPeak, Tennessee’s insurance commissioner.
If GOP Plan Passes, Some States Will Likely End Medicaid Expansion Early
The program would likely become too costly for them to maintain. Meanwhile, a new report shows that the proposed legislation would cut Medicaid funding by as much as 39 percent. And media outlets report on other news on the program out of Pennsylvania, Montana, Michigan, California, Texas, Virginia and Ohio.
Preventive Care Efforts Were Boosted Under ACA, But GOP’s Plan Would Make Them Vulnerable Again
Regular screenings and preventive care are responsible for catching serious problems before they become expensive disasters. But with the cuts under the GOP’s proposed legislation, some worry the progress made through the Affordable Care Act will be lost. Meanwhile, the Republicans’ plan depends on young people buying insurance even though that lesson was already learned, and a look at the winners and losers under the plan.
