Latest KFF Health News Stories
Former CMS Administrators Press Senate To Delay Making Changes To Medicaid
Andy Slavitt, who worked for President Barack Obama, and Gail Wilensky, who worked for President George H.W. Bush, urge lawmakers to take a more deliberate review of Medicaid issues. “Congress can and should commit to improving and modernizing Medicaid, but the process will take time to develop bipartisan support for the changes that are needed and should not be rushed,” they wrote.
Oscar Teams Up With Humana In Pilot Project For Small-Business Insurance In Nashville
The partnership expands the startup insurer’s interests beyond plans sold to individual market.
Alaska To Set Up Reinsurance Program To Protect Consumers From Skyrocketing ACA Premiums
The state says the program will help save the government money in premium subsidies.
Ad Campaigns Urge Crucial Senators To Vote Against GOP Health Bill
The AARP, the Democratic National Committee and a trade group for safety-net health plans are launching campaigns targeting key Senate Republicans.
Nearly 70 Percent Of Republican Voters Want GOP To Continue Repeal Efforts
The poll also suggests that Republicans want Senate GOP leaders to shift gears and work with Democrats to pass a new health care bill. But a separate poll also finds that health care is not necessarily going to be the only deciding factor in the elections.
There’s No Real Buy-In From Republicans On Bill Making It Tough To Get To 50 Votes
The response has been tepid at best on the legislation, and lawmakers are struggling to get something they’ve been promising for seven years out the door. The New York Times offers a look at where they’re still divided, while the Los Angeles Times considers what a fix to Obamacare would like.
In Effort To Find A Way Forward, McConnell Contemplates Retaining Obamacare Taxes
The revised Senate health bill will likely retain certain taxes on wealthier Americans that helped finance the Affordable Care Act. This step would mark a big step back from a central GOP promise.
The Last Draft Of GOP’s Bill Failed — So What’s Different This Time?
Media outlets look at the changes leadership has made to try to woo senators, such as adding the option to let insurers sell cheaper, skinny plans. But one thing that hasn’t been touched? The unpopular Medicaid cuts.
Senate’s Recess Delayed So Lawmakers Can Tackle Health Care, Clear Legislative Backlog
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced Tuesday that lawmakers will stick around through the week of Aug. 7.
GOP To Unveil New Version Of Health Bill On Thursday
And the score from the Congressional Budget Office would follow early next week.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints On Health Law: GOP’s Time Crunch; The Need — And Strategy — For Bipartisanship
Opinion writers offer their analysis of the ongoing debate on Capitol Hill over health care.
Opinions On Opioids: Reducing Medicaid Won’t Help; Call On Pharmacists And Dentists
A selection of of opinions from around the country on the drug abuse epidemic and other topics.
Media outlets report on news from California, Minnesota, Illinois, Texas, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Kansas and Ohio.
Scientists Stumble Upon Potential Vaccine For Gonorrhea At Best Possible Time
In an era where the sexually transmitted disease is becoming increasingly difficult to treat because of antibiotic resistance, researchers find that a vaccine for meningitis may also protect against gonorrhea. In other public health news: cervical cancer, sunscreen, double-booked surgeons, brain training, pigs’ knees and more.
Your Morning Cup Of Joe Is Actually Beneficial To Your Health, New Studies Find
Two massive studies show that a few cups of coffee a day won’t hurt you and, in fact, lowers risk for dying prematurely.
Katy Talento and Matthew Bowman have been waging this campaign for years. Now they have the chance and the power to actually roll back the regulation they hate so much.
After Trump Meets With Pharma CEO, FDA Yanks Request For Company To Run Additional Drug Trial
Instead, Amicus Therapeutics gets the go-ahead by the agency to submit its treatment of a deadly rare disease for review. Meanwhile, a new analysis finds that there is only limited room for improvement in terms of the agency’s speed for approving drugs.
FDA Commissioner Eyes New Drugmaker Rules, Including More Doctor Training On Opioids
Scott Gottlieb says the Food and Drug Administration will start to require that pharmaceutical companies offer more prescriber education for immediate-release opioids, which make up 90 percent of prescriptions.
In Fiercely Partisan Climate, Veterans Committees Quietly Show How Congress Should Work
Where elsewhere Congress is deadlocked, the Veterans’ Affairs Committees keep racking up bipartisan victories.
