Latest KFF Health News Stories
Small Town Hall In Kansas Reflects Troubled Mood Of Country Over GOP’s Health Plan
On Thursday night, Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) did what many Republicans have avoided this recess: face head on his constituents’ tough questions on health care. The concerns he heard are ones that echo across the country, and demonstrate how hard it will be to get the legislation passed.
McConnell Concedes Bill Might Not Pass, But Reaffirms Need To Shore Up Individual Markets
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he will have a new bill ready for the returning lawmakers, but that if they can’t reach an agreement “no action is not an alternative” that’s acceptable.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: The Health Law’s Job Toll; Medicaid’s Influence On GOP; Cruz’s High-Risk Plan
A selection of opinions on the health care debate from around the country.
Longer Looks: Psychology Of Cyberbullying; Forest Bathing; The Byrd Rule
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Wisconsin, Oregon, West Virginia, Illinois, Connecticut, Louisiana, Texas, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Maryland.
Billionaire Physician To Take Over 6 California Hospitals
NantWorks, a company controlled by Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, will acquire a majority stake in Integrity Healthcare, which operates the hospital chain Verity Health. And, development at other hospitals in California, Maryland, Missouri, Texas and Minnesota also make the news.
Other public health news stories today report on developments related to the organ donation shortage, a link between sleep quality and Alzheimer’s, sugar consumption during pregnancy, gene cloning, ALS, heat stroke and the role of the sense of smell on weight.
Surgeon General Nominee’s Approach To Opioid Crisis Applauded By Experts, Advocates
They credit Indiana’s state health commissioner and surgeon general nominee Jerome Adams for making life-saving strides against the epidemic in his state. Meanwhile, the drug crisis is taking its toll on medical examiner offices.
Pharma Company Eyes A Comeback After Its Potential Obesity Blockbuster Flopped
Also in pharmaceutical news: the debilitating cost of hepatitis C drugs, clinical trials for blood cancer treatment, investments into fighting our biggest killers and scrutiny for prescription drug ads.
Kentucky Wants To Skip Phase-In Period For Medicaid Work Requirements
Gov. Matt Bevin is asking federal officials to approve an amended plan that would immediately require able-bodied recipients to work 20 hours a week to be eligible for coverage.
Physicians, Teaching Hospitals Received More Than $8B From Drug And Device Makers In 2016
About half of the overall payments were for research and $2.7 billion were in payments not related to research.
Individual Marketplaces’ Narrow Networks Are Shutting Patients Out From Best Doctors
Plans with lower premiums often lower costs by limiting choices of doctors and hospitals.
Increasingly Popular Single-Payer Idea May Be Driving Wedge Between Democrats
While some frustrated with the current state of the health care debate are leaning toward more liberal ideas, others are hunkering down to try to protect the Affordable Care Act.
RNC Points Fingers At Democrats In New Ads: ‘Where’s Your Plan?’
The Republican National Committee say Democrats know the system is broken, but won’t work with the GOP to fix it.
There’s A Faint Scent Of Bipartisanship In The Air. But What Would That Look Like?
Stat examines areas where there might be wiggle room for compromise. In other news on health law efforts, Republicans have a blind spot when it comes to health care costs beyond insurance premiums.
GOP’s Plan To Roll Back Medicaid Would Slash Safety Net For Kids In Deep Trump Country
“Without the health insurance, kids aren’t going to get the immunizations and the checkups. There are going to be more lost days of school. More trips to the emergency room,” said Dr. Traci Acklin, who grew up in Fayette County, West Virginia. “It would be food or healthcare for a lot of these families.”
It Feels Like ‘A Broken Promise’: GOP Activists Warn Republicans To Get Act Together On Health Care
“If the Republican Party cannot show they can deliver on a basic campaign promise like Obamacare, I’m very concerned about the ability to keep the House and Senate next year,” said Noah Wall, the national director of campaigns at the conservative group FreedomWorks. Meanwhile, Republicans home on recess face concerned constituents.
Cruz’s Amendment To Let Insurers Sell Cheap ‘Junk’ Plans Could Sway Conservatives
But moderates and experts warn that while allowing insurance companies to sell non-compliant plans would benefit young, healthy patients, it would hit others in the marketplace hard.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
