Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
At Least 4 Republican Senators Oppose Measure, Two More Than GOP Can Afford To Lose
But it’s unclear if the senators will be amenable to negotiations.
Trump Says Senate Bill Will Be ‘Very Good,’ But Needs ‘A Little Negotiation
“Obamacare is dead,’ President Donald Trump said.
Consumer Advocates Denounce Health Plan As ‘A Nasty Bill’
It is not at all surprising that this bill is a terrible one,” League of Women Voters President Chris Carson said.
Republicans Had ‘Responsibility’ To Act, McConnell Says
The Senate majority leader defended his bill after the details of it were released to lawmakers.
Senate Republicans Unveil Health Care Proposal
The Senate bill — once promised as a top-to-bottom revamp of the health bill passed by the House last month — instead maintains its structure, with modest adjustments.
Viewpoints: Opioids And America’s Backward Slide; Remaining Vigilant Against Zika
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives: The Senate GOP’s Secret Health Bill; What’s To Be Lost, Gained With Medicaid Changes?
Opinion writers across the country offer their thoughts on the Senate Republican health overhaul — both in terms of style and substance — while also examining a variety of health policy issues that are in play as Congress continues to contemplate sweeping changes to the nation’s health care system.
Longer Looks: Obamacare’s 6-Year-Old Lobbyist; Mental Illness In Prison; And Antibiotic Resistance
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from New Jersey, Ohio, Kansas, Utah, Georgia, Arizona and Massachusetts.
Immunization Experts Issue New Recommendations That Will Have Big Impact On Vaccine Makers
Today’s other public health news stories cover maternal depression, the clinical trial system, the “brain-eating amoeba” case and autism.
Teen Sex, Pregnancy Continue Gradual Decades-Long Decline
More teens are also using contraception when they do have sex.
EpiPen Maker Reportedly Offered States Discounts If They Cut Down Competition
Stat reports that Mylan made the rebates conditional on states requiring that competitors’ products get special requests by clinicians to be covered by Medicaid. In other news, the Food and Drug Administration says it will hold a hearing on efforts by drugmakers to impede competition, and an Australian drug company that is linked to a U.S. congressman gets approval for U.S. trials.
Anthem, An ACA Stalwart, Will Pull Out Of Two More States Citing Volatile Marketplace
Although Anthem is withdrawing from some marketplaces, other companies are diving in. Media outlets look at the results of Wednesday’s deadline for insurers to submit initial federal applications to offer 2018 marketplace plans.
Obamacare Exchanges Are Deteriorating But Not Imploding
Health insurers had until Wednesday to declare whether they planned to sell coverage next year on exchanges in most states.
Cutting Medicaid Funding In Midst Of Opioid Crisis Would Be ‘Catastrophic,’ Advocates Warn
“It would essentially write off a generation,” said Dr. Shawn Ryan, president of BrightView Health, a network of drug treatment clinics in Cincinnati. In other news on the opioid crisis, Missouri becomes the latest state to file suit against drugmaker Purdue Pharma, one in four people on Medicaid received opioids in 2015, and a county reveals its plan to curtail the epidemic.
Rural Areas Fear GOP’s Medicaid Cuts Could Be Devastating To Local Health Care Options
These parts of the country already have more uninsured and underinsured people per capita than urban areas, and industry officials and community advocates are raising concerns about the future of small, local hospitals if Medicaid funding is reduced.
GOP Secrecy Has Left Democrats Trying To Attack ‘Something In The Dark’
But they’ve been gathering talking points anyway.
This Time Around It Isn’t Going To Be The Trump Show
President Donald Trump cajoled and courted reluctant House Republicans to vote “yes” on the bill last month. But those familiar with the process don’t anticipate a repeat of that lobbying with the upper chamber.
If McConnell Thinks Democrats Are Deliberately Delaying Process, He Could Go Nuclear
The Senate majority leader has the option to cut off dilly-dallying if he deems it necessary, but it would be creating a new precedent for how the Senate operates. Republican leaders are also sending signals that they could use a rule to go around the parliamentarian’s ruling on the legislation.
