Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Different Takes On The GOP’s Latest Health Plan; A Status Report On The ACA

Morning Briefing

Opinion writers review “the 2.0 version” of the American Health Care Act, examine what’s happening so far with the Affordable Care Act and take a look at the current state of the individual insurance market.

Two Democratic Lawmakers Work To Bring Universal Health Care To California

Morning Briefing

In Hawaii, lobbyists push back against part of a bill that would cover fertility treatments for some LGBT couples. Meanwhile, California, Arizona and Colorado legislatures consider other measures that would impact the health or safety of residents.

Drug Companies Turned ‘Blind Eye’ To Opioids Flooding Community, Cherokee Nation’s Suit Claims

Morning Briefing

“Today, we are facing another challenge, a plague that has been set upon the Cherokee people by these corporations,” said Todd Hembree, attorney general for the Cherokees. “Their main goal is profit, and this scourge has cost lives and the Cherokee Nation millions.”

Despite Notable Silence From White House, Anti-Vaccine Advocates Keep Hopes High

Morning Briefing

The CDC continues to promote immunizations just as it did under the Obama administration, but vaccine skeptics still feel emboldened by having the new president in the White House. In other public health news: a diet soda link to dementia risk; anxiety in students; a rare tick-borne disease; dietary supplements; and Henrietta Lacks’ cells.

HHS, Lawmakers Weigh Work Requirement For Medicaid, But Many Enrollees Already Have A Job

Morning Briefing

Republican legislation to replace the health law could include the provision and Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price has told states he is open to them adding work requirements to their programs. Also in the news: funding for the CHIP program is on the line this year, Florida lawmakers are wrestling with funding for hospitals that have large numbers of uninsured or Medicaid patients and Tufts Health Plan will manage a Medicaid program in Rhode Island.

Eager For A Victory, Trump Hypes Renewed GOP Health Plan; Lawmakers Remain Skeptical

Morning Briefing

The deal, which is being hashed out between Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-N.J.) and Freedom Caucus leader Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), would let states seek waivers on preexisting conditions and to set their own list of essential health benefits. Republican congressional aides, however, are throwing cold water on the optimism coming out of the White House.

Citing Supreme Court Ruling On Similar Restrictions, Judge Blocks Mo. Abortion Rules

Morning Briefing

The state was requiring that doctors who perform abortions have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals and that clinics meet hospital-like standards for outpatient surgery. Outlets report on other news from Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin as well.

‘I Need Medicine For This Pain’: The Landmines Of Treating Someone Addicted To Opioids

Morning Briefing

There’s no definitive guidance for doctors on what to do when their patient is someone who is in recovery from an opioid addiction, but also in need of pain relief. In other public health news: antidepressants, mysterious diseases, antibiotic-resistant infections, stress in kids and sexual enhancement pills.