Latest KFF Health News Stories
Two Republican Senators Offer A Plan B If Leadership’s Measure Fails
Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) have been working on a measure that they could sell to Democrats as a “repair” bill.
Is Polar Payoff The New Cornhusker Kickback? Change In GOP’s Plan Benefits Alaska, And Alaska Only
Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska is a crucial vote, and a new provision seems to recognize that fact.
Three Obamacare Taxes Left In Place In Revised Version Of Health Bill
The move is a departure from earlier plans to repeal the taxes.
Despite Outcry From Moderates, Governors, Deep Medicaid Cuts Left Mostly Untouched
The reduction of more than $750 billion to the program over a decade is one of the sticking points for many Republicans opposed to the legislation.
New Bill Tries To Lure Conservatives With Option To Sell Cheap, Bare Bone Insurance Plans
The option is part of an amendment by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) that was included in the newly unveiled legislation despite insurers’ warning that it will further destabilize the marketplace.
Road To 50 Votes Paved With Uncertainty, Doubts Despite Changes In Drafts
Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) have already said they won’t support the new bill, which leaves Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell no room for error in his quest for 50 votes.
GOP Unveils Tweaked Health Care Bill In Its Attempt To Woo Reluctant Senators
Here’s a look at some of the overall changes that were made between the two drafts.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
GOP Tweaks Health Bill In Attempt To Appease Both Sides But Doubts Remain
There have been concessions made to both moderates and conservatives, but the road to 50 votes is far from clear.
Viewpoints: Obamacare Options; Is It Really Exploding Or Imploding?; Reforming Medicaid
Opinion writers offer their analysis of the ongoing debate on Capitol Hill and across the country over health care reforms and other issues.
Longer Looks: The Future Of Repeal; A New ‘War On Drugs’; And IVF Innovations
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from California, Colorado, Maryland, Illinois, Florida, Missouri, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and Ohio.
About 1,200 Nurses Strike At Major Boston-Area Hospital
The nurses union at Tufts Medical Center held a one-day strike over a contract dispute centered on the administrators’ plans to alter retirement benefits.
Study May Provide Road Map For Scientists Searching For Genes Linked To Autism
Researchers found that the way children search out social experiences is connected to genetics. In other public health news: prostate cancer, Zika, food safety and diets, deadly infections and more.
Money, Recognition And Dark Chocolate: How To Sell Doctors On Prescribing Powerful Painkillers
Two former sales reps pleaded guilty to violating the federal anti-kickback law in bribing doctors to prescribe Subsys. A look at the case shows how companies can get doctors to do their bidding.
‘Most Exciting Thing I’ve Seen In My Lifetime’: FDA Panel Approves Groundbreaking Cancer Treatment
Full approval from the agency is expected to follow.
Medicare Analysis To Be Released Today Could Trigger Obamacare’s Mandate To Cut Spending
Experts have warned that the report expected to be released today on the finances of Medicare could launch a process under the health law to make cuts. A panel expected to do that, called the Independent Payment Advisory Board, has not been named, however.
Despite Complaints About FDA’s Right-To-Try Approach, Watchdog Says It’s Mostly Doing A Good Job
The Government Accountability Office did say the agency could do better at providing clear and transparent information about potential side effects of the experimental drugs. In other pharmaceutical news: the House passed an Food and Drug Administration authorization bill, President Donald Trump considers scaling down a program that makes drugmakers give discounted products to hospitals, and a new method might help shave off development time for drugs.
New CDC Director’s Track Record On Public Health Initiatives Worries Some Advocates
Brenda Fitzgerald chose to partner with Coke in an effort to fight obesity, a move that raises some eyebrows. “We hope Dr. Fitzgerald, as head of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, avoids partnering with Coke on obesity for the same reason she would avoid partnering with the tobacco industry on lung cancer prevention,” said Jim O’Hara of the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
NIH Gets $1.1B Funding Increase From House Appropriators
The funding boost for the National Institutes of Health, which was advanced by a House subcommittee, is counter to the White House plan to slash medical research spending and is offset with reductions to family planning and refugee services.
