Latest KFF Health News Stories
Disgruntled Moderates Aim Ire At Tuesday Group Leader: ‘You Are Going To Make Us Lose The Majority’
Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-N.J.) worked with the conservative Freedom Caucus to help revise the Republicans’ health care plan, but it’s not winning him any favors with his moderate colleagues.
Additional $8B For High-Risk Pools Swayed Lawmakers But Experts Say It Isn’t Enough
Protections for those with preexisting conditions have been a major talking point during this week’s negotiations to try to move the Republican health care plan through the House. Media outlets look at what they are, if the additional money will be cover those who need care, and the history of high-risk pools.
Where Republican Lawmakers Stand On the Revised Health Care Bill
Media outlets look at who is voting “no” on the legislation, who is undecided and who leadership is targeting to support the bill.
‘We Have Enough Votes’: GOP Confident Health Plan Will Pass With Help From New Amendment
Still, the vote, expected to happen around lunchtime Thursday, is anticipated to be a nail-biter down to the last minute.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: GOP Sabotage Could Set Up A Health Care Emergency; Taking On Obamacare Yet Again
A selection of health-related opinions from around the country.
Perspectives: Direct-To-Consumer Ads Let Pharma Plant The Idea That Something Is Wrong With Us
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Side Effects May Include Overdrawn Bank Accounts: Group Goes After Drug Prices With Spoof Ad
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical pricing.
Media outlets report on news from Delaware, Florida, New York, New Hampshire, Texas, Connecticut, Ohio, Utah, Kansas, Tennessee, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Hospital Funding Fight Holds Up Florida Budget Negotiations
State lawmakers disagree on how to spread out $650 million in Medicaid payments to hospitals. Elsewhere, rural communities and at-risk populations feel the impact of hospital difficulties in Missouri and Georgia.
Tighter, Obama-Era Regulations Of E-Cigarettes Delayed So New Administration Can Review
There has been concerted push back from the industry over the new rules.
Disparity In Longevity Between Black, White Americans Narrowing, But Gap Still Remains
Although there have been gains, the report shows the United States has a long way to go before it achieves health equity as blacks in every age group under 65 continue to have significantly higher death rates than whites.
Regulations that have been baked into the Medicaid program are thwarting advocates’ efforts in the battle against opioids. A handful of states are now seeking federal waivers as a way to get around them. Media outlets report on the crisis out of Maryland, Georgia, Florida and Pennsylvania.
Missouri’s Move To Privatize Medicaid: Cost Efficiency Or Putting Patients At Risk?
News outlets also report on Medicaid developments related to how helping homeless patients saves money for California’s Medicaid Program as well as news about Puerto Rico and congressional funding in the pending omnibus spending bill.
Slew Of Recent Anti-Abortion Actions Provokes Democrats To Issue Shot Over Bow
A group of Senate lawmakers wrote a letter criticizing efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, the appointment of Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and changes to Title X family planning funding.
Motives Behind Trump’s Dismissal Of Surgeon General Questioned By Senate Democrats
Seven senators sign a letter, requesting more information about why the Trump administration’s cut former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s two-year term short. In other Capitol Hill news, lawmakers consider a bill to allow over-the-counter sales of hearing aids and coal miner’s families react to Congress’ extension of the health insurance fund.
Molina Ousts Founders’ Sons From Top Positions, Citing Disappointing Financial Performance
Dr. J. Mario Molina in his position as CEO was a vocal critic of President Donald Trump and Congress’ efforts to repeal and replace the health law.
Aetna Posts First-Quarter Loss, Mulls Scaling Back Health Law Participation Even Further
Aetna said it expects 2017 losses on its individual business will amount to roughly half its loss last year, which was $450 million.
Having More Insured People Under ACA Did Not Lead To Loss Of Access For Those Already With Coverage
“We found no consistent evidence that there were negative impacts on continuously insured adults of rising insurance rates,” said Steven Hill, one of the report’s authors.
The Paths Forward For Republicans Are Politically Unpalatable
GOP lawmakers are faced with three options that aren’t ideal for retaining their political power: keep negotiating, starve the health law until it collapses or come up with a moderate “repair” bill. Meanwhile, Politico also looks at why the health law is so hard to repeal, and the Senate’s reaction to all the uncertainty in the House.
