Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Lawmaker Would Settle Health Debate With ‘Aaron Burr-Style’ Duel If Senators Blocking Bill Were Men

Morning Briefing

Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas) says he blames “some female senators from the Northeast” for the party’s failure to pass health care legislation. Though he didn’t name them in particular, it may have been a reference to Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), who have both voiced objections to the proposal.

Parsing The Policies: What’s To Become Of Medicaid And Medicare?

Morning Briefing

Opinion writers offer their thoughts on how the current Affordable Care Act replacement debate impacts Medicaid and how governors should proceed in pursuing Medicaid waivers as well as current Medicare funding issues.

The Big Picture: The Health Issues We Should Be Discussing; How To Move The Debate Forward

Morning Briefing

Even as the heated discourse over the future of the Affordable Care Act continues, some people offer their thoughts on the serious issues that are being overlooked and on how bad manners have soured the process.

A Cure For HIV? One Child May Give The World Hope

Morning Briefing

Scientists presented the case study of a boy who has remained HIV-free since his early treatment as an infant. But Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, struck notes of both optimism and caution when speaking about him. In other public health news: gene therapy, vaccinations, arrest in old age, concussions, inflammation and a flesh-eating bacteria.

States Urged To Sue Drug Companies Over Painkiller Epidemic By Lawyers Who Drove Tobacco Litigation

Morning Briefing

The Wall Street Journal reports on a one-time attorney general who is aiding in lawsuits filed by Mississippi and Ohio against pharmaceutical makers. In another story on the business front of the drug crisis, McKesson’s board will be greeted by picketing teamsters organized by the father of an overdose victim.

Both Sides Rack Up Wins On Battlefield Over Women’s Health In The States

Morning Briefing

While some states are stripping Planned Parenthood of funds, others are passing laws to protect contraception for women. Outlets report on other women’s health news out of Kentucky, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia and Texas.

Pence, Verma and Others From Indiana Setting Key Health Policies, Despite State’s Poor Record

Morning Briefing

Vice President Mike Pence has been a leader of the Trump administration’s efforts to seek a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, including phasing out its Medicaid expansion. And he’s brought along other Hoosiers: Seema Verma, who heads the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Jerome Adams, the nominee to be surgeon general, and Matt Lloyd, the top spokesman at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Beyond Insurer Subsidies: What Else Trump Can Do To Nudge ACA Toward Collapse

Morning Briefing

The Hill and KHN look at the steps the administration can take to undermine the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, a group of Democrats wants to investigate the Department of Health and Human Service’s efforts to push out anti-Obamacare messaging.

Trump Accused Of Deliberately Causing Confusion To Destabilize Marketplace

Morning Briefing

Democrats say all the competing messages coming from the White House over health care are part of a larger strategy to hurt the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is planning to speak about health care on Monday.

Former Senator Who Faced Political Consequences Of ACA Vote Speaks Of Lessons Learned

Morning Briefing

“I believe that you have to be very cautious on promises, and very consistent on keeping your promises when you make them,” former Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska says. In other news, former Rep. Bart Stupak shares the experience he had when Congress was moving to pass the Affordable Care Act.