Latest KFF Health News Stories
Confused About What The Senate Is Actually Voting On? Here Are Some Explainers
Not even senators seem to know what they’ll be voting on Tuesday afternoon, but these media outlets take a crack at explaining what’s going on.
Lawmaker Would Settle Health Debate With ‘Aaron Burr-Style’ Duel If Senators Blocking Bill Were Men
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.
Trump Implores Republicans To Make Good On Their Years-Long Promise
President Donald Trump also lashed out at Democrats: “They run out. They say, ‘Death, death, death.’ Well, Obamacare is death. That’s the one that’s death.”
McCain’s Return For Health Vote Energizes GOP, Provides Tiny Bit Of Breathing Room
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was diagnosed with brain cancer last week. If he stayed home, the Republicans would have lost a precious vote, when they can only afford to sacrifice two in total.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Is Silicon Valley Losing The Lead In Medical Technology?; Doctors And Hand Writing
Here’s a review of editorials and opinions on a range of public health issues.
Parsing The Policies: What’s To Become Of Medicaid And Medicare?
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
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.
Editorial pages analyze the current state of play in Republicans’ push to replace Obamacare.
Media outlets report on news from California, Iowa, New Jersey, Tennessee, Florida, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Georgia.
A Cure For HIV? One Child May Give The World Hope
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
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
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.
Committee’s Plan To Shift Money To Veterans’ Choice Program Draws Immediate Backlash
Eight major organizations spoke out against the proposal, saying it was unacceptable privatization of veterans’ health care.
Pharma Cracked Open Massive War Chest To Lobby Congress On Pricing, Importation, Drug Approvals
The industry spent $14 million so far this year.
Pence, Verma and Others From Indiana Setting Key Health Policies, Despite State’s Poor Record
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.
Free Clinic Shines Light On Reality Of Health Care In America
More than a thousand patients flocked to the Remote Area Medical clinic in Virginia over the weekend.
Beyond Insurer Subsidies: What Else Trump Can Do To Nudge ACA Toward Collapse
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
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
“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.
