Latest KFF Health News Stories
Advocates Hope Effects Of Kansas’ Austere Cuts Serve As ‘Canary In Coal Mine’ For Rest Of Country
In what Republican Gov. Sam Brownback deemed a “real-live experiment,” Kansas championed a plan of deep tax cuts and severe spending cuts, and at the same time rejected Medicaid expansion. The Washington Post looks at those results.
ACA Rate Hikes In Michigan Could Reach Record Levels Depending On Future Of Insurer Subsidies
If Republicans opt to defund the subsidies, Michigan residents buying coverage through the exchanges could face a 31 percent increase. Media outlets report on news in the marketplaces of Connecticut and Ohio as well.
Senate GOP Walking Tightrope With Abortion, Planned Parenthood Language In Health Plan
The Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, won’t make an official ruling until she is given specific language on the provisions, but they could threaten the future of the entire bill. However, dropping the language could result in loss of support among conservative lawmakers.
Divided And Shunted To The Sidelines, Insurance Industry Loses Voice In Health Care Debate
Some insurers have decided a low-key role is best, but others are frustrated that their concerns aren’t being heard. In other news, outlets look at what consumers could expect to pay under the Republicans’ health care plan, the effect it would have on jobs and the amount of support the legislation has in Missouri and Kansas.
Lawmakers That Trump Pushed Into Signing ‘Mean’ Bill Peeved At The President’s Candid Comments
Although President Donald Trump personally helped champion the legislation through the House and called it a “great plan” when it passed, he is now saying it’s “mean” and that the Senate should be more “generous” in its version. The about-face has left lawmakers scratching their heads. Meanwhile, in the upper chamber, each senator is fighting for their own state’s best interest, but not everyone is going to win, and Democrats hit pause on the health fight after Wednesday’s shooting.
SEND IN YOUR QUESTIONS!: KHN is launching our new Facebook group on navigating aging with a live online chat, “Getting Smarter About Getting Older.” You can send in questions ahead of time here. But make sure to mark your calendars for 12 p.m. on June 20 to join in the conversation on Facebook Live with Judith Graham, our Navigating Aging columnist, and her guest Dr. Lee Ann Lindquist.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives: Letting The Government Negotiate Prices Won’t Actually Create Any Savings
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
PBMs, The Middlemen Of Pharma, Aren’t Completely To Blame For High Drug Prices
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on health-related news from Colorado, California, Missouri, Washington, Ohio, Georgia, Kansas, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
Postpartum Ads Featuring Women With Pacifiers Strikes Discordant Chord For Some
Critics say the ad campaign not only infantilizes women, but also puts the onus on them to speak up rather than prodding providers to be more proactive in helping them. In other public health news: brain cell transplants, the new tobacco crisis, insulin, noise and blood pressure, and more.
The Latest Tool To Fight The Opioid Epidemic: Lawsuits
It’s a strategy that harkens back to the 1990s when Big Tobacco was in a similar situation. Meanwhile, the epidemic is bringing up medical privacy issues, the Food and Drug Administration is trying to figure out if anti-abuse deterrents work and a drugmaker is working with the agency on its request to pull a powerful opioid from the market.
In Not Too Distant Future, Drones Could Be Used To Save Heart Attack Victims
When it comes to administering an electric shock to those in cardiac arrest, minutes can make the difference between life and death.
Nevada Poised To Become First In Nation To Allow All Residents To Buy Into Medicaid
The premiums would most likely be lower for customers because Medicaid reimburses doctors less than most insurance plans and also pays lower prices for prescription drugs. At the same time, Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval speaks out against federal lawmakers’ idea to phase out the federal expansion.
Congress Sends Bill Making It Easier To Fire VA Employees To Trump’s Desk
The bill was backed by Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, who called the employee accountability process “clearly broken.”
Annual Kids Count Survey Ranks States On Children’s Insurance Coverage
The survey, conducted by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, found that coverage rates nationwide reached a new high. However, local news outlets mark how they fared in terms of improving or losing ground.
As Other Insurers Flee ACA Markets, Centene Will Be Diving In
The company will begin selling plans in Nevada, Missouri and Kansas while growing its presence in six other states.
Although Known For His Firebrand Tactics, Cruz Now Embracing Role Of Diplomat In Health Talks
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is emerging as an unlikely voice in helping to get his conservative colleagues to a “yes” on health care legislation. In other news on the American Health Care Act, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) predicts the president will have a health bill on his desk by August, while Senate Democrats demand a hearing on any potential legislation before a vote.
CMS Reports 13M Would Lose Insurance Under GOP Plan, A Rosier Projection Than CBO’s Score
Experts say that both reports rely on assumptions, and that it’s still uncertain how things will play out if the House Republican health care bill went into effect.
Trump Calls House Bill ‘Mean,’ Says Senate Version Should Be More ‘Generous’
President Donald Trump hosted senators at the White House to discuss their health care push, and he, according to sources, took a much different tone on the House’s version than he did when he was celebrating its passage.
