Latest KFF Health News Stories
From ‘Coming Up Short’ To Victory: How Republican Leaders Gained The Final Votes
Six weeks ago, House Republicans could not muster enough votes to pass their health bill and pulled it from the floor. What happened to turn that failure around? Behind-the-scenes negotiations focused on amendments that could persuade the right-wing Freedom Caucus to back the legislation. In the end, Republicans wanted to deliver a win for President Donald Trump and on their pledge to repeal Obamacare.
Here’s What’s In The Republicans’ Revised Health Care Bill
Media outlets offer a look at what actually is in the legislation.
Even Backers Call Bill ‘Highly Imperfect’ But See It As A Jumping Off Point
At least one admits to not knowing what’s in the legislation. And most say the plan is flawed. But House Republicans view their vote as a starting position to get Congress going on replacing the Affordable Care Act.
In Separate Vote, House OKs Nullifying Congressional Exemption From Its Health Law
The American Health Care Act originally exempted lawmakers from its provisions, but House members voted on another piece of legislation, which nullifies that exemption.
Republicans’ Repeal-And-Replace Plan Narrowly Passes House
After two false starts and weeks of compromise negotiations, House Republican leaders gathered enough votes to pass the American Health Care Act, their replacement for Obamacare. The bill passed 217-213, with 20 Republican defections. GOP House members who supported the legislation were jubilant afterwards, having followed through on a years-long campaign pledge.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Trump Confident ‘Incredible Health Care Plan’ Will Pass In The Senate
“It’s going to be an unbelievable victory … when we get it through the Senate,” President Donald Trump says during a celebratory White House Rose Garden event with House Republicans.
Health Plan Becomes Senate’s Dilemma Now — Where The Margin For Error Is Much More Narrow
The legislation is expected to undergo sweeping changes in the upper chamber.
The Winners: Insurance Companies, Young People And The Rich
Media outlets look at how different groups will fare under the Republicans’ health plan.
Democrats See Political Opportunity To Target Vulnerable Republicans Over Their Vote
At the end of the vote, as Republicans reached a majority, Democrats on the House floor began chanting, “Na, na, na, na … Hey, hey, hey … Goodbye.” They claim the GOP could lose seats for supporting a bill that could disrupt voters’ health care.
GOP Health Plan Narrowly Passes House
An amendment to add $8 billion to help fund high-risk pools swayed enough Republicans who were worried the legislation didn’t offer enough protections for people with preexisting conditions.
A selection of public health opinions from around the country.
Perspectives On The House GOP’s Health Bill: A Breakout Toward Governing Or A Breakdown In Coverage?
Editorial writers from across the country examine the House Republican’s plan and offer their thoughts on how it treats concerns ranging from preexisting conditions to mental health.
Longer Looks: Doctors And Fake News; Superfoods; And Pig-To-Human Transplants
Each week, KHN finds interesting reads from around the web.
Media outlets report on news from California, Florida and Colorado.
Planned Parenthood To Request Emergency Injunction On Iowa Waiting-Period Law
Planned Parenthood of the Heartland President Suzanna di Baca says it is a medically unnecessary requirement that interrupts the lives of patients.
Health Officials In Minnesota Worry That Measles Outbreak Will Spread
So far, 34 children have contracted the virus in densely populated Somali-American neighborhoods of Minneapolis, where 6 in 10 children are not vaccinated. There has been a growing fear among immigrant communities about links between the measles, mumps and rubella shot and autism.
Research Efforts To Eliminate Unnecessary Prostate Cancer Treatments Is ‘On Fire’
Scientists want to find alternatives to controversial PSA tests, which often lead to unnecessary biopsies. And in other public health news today: the health impact of racism on kids; concussion testing; monitoring violence online; why we sleep and dream; and men as caregivers.
