Latest KFF Health News Stories
Trump Policies Having Chilling Effect On Immigrants Seeking Medical Care
Patients are canceling their appointments due to fears of being deported.
Trump To Hold Round Table With Insurers Over Future Of Health Law
The president is expected to seek the executives’ support on Republicans’ efforts to dismantle and replace the Affordable Care Act.
Trump To Offer Health Law Plan Details In Speech To Congress
The president will address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday. Meanwhile, both chambers are back in session and the health law is at the top of lawmakers’ agenda.
With ACA’s Future Uncertain, Calif. And Vermont Consider New Models For Health Care
California officials are looking at moving to a “single-payer” health system if Republicans gut the federal health law, but they face big challenges. Yet across the country, tiny Vermont is embarking on an experiment, blessed by the federal government, to change how health care is paid for. Also in the news, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says his state may have a model that could be used if the federal law is repealed.
As It Faces Possible Dismantling, Health Law’s Support Stronger Than Ever
From polls to protests, the health law is getting the kind of backing it hasn’t seen for most of the time since it passed.
Kasich Takes Pitch To Save Medicaid Expansion To White House
“I’m on a plane and he’s the pilot,” Ohio Gov. John Kasich said. “And you know the fact is, I want the pilot to be successful. But you know what? Every once and a while … you need to yell into the cockpit.”
Report For Governors Warns About Gaps In Funding Under GOP Plan To Revamp Medicaid
Health consultants Avalere and McKinsey & Co. looked at how plans to switch Medicaid to a block-grant system or a per capita funded program would affect states and enrollment.
After Governors’ Meeting, The Big Question Remains: What To Do With Medicaid?
The state leaders gathered for the National Governors Association winter meeting but were stymied over the problem of how to handle Medicaid. They want to make sure a repeal of the health law doesn’t penalize states that took billions of dollars in federal funds to expand the program.
GOP Draft Repeal Plan Scraps Subsidies And Individual Mandate, Rolls Back Medicaid
The replacement would be paid for by limiting tax breaks on generous health plans people get at work.
First Edition: February 27, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
GOP Draft Repeal Plan Scraps Subsidies And Individual Mandate, Rolls Back Medicaid
The replacement would be paid for by limiting tax breaks on generous health plans people get at work.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Beverage Tax In Mexico; Health Care Access Survey; State Marketplaces
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Outlets report on news from Minnesota, California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Kansas, Alabama and Michigan.
Sorry, Kids: FluMist May Not Be Coming Back Any Time Soon
The efficacy of the nasal mist was called into question last year, and it might be a long road back for this vaccine method. In other public health news, a mumps outbreaks, transgender teenagers, air pollution, smokers, gun wounds and heart disease.
‘Unique Threat Of Fentanyl’ Has Lawmakers Seeking Answers From Nation’s Drug Czar
The powerful opioid is responsible for nearly 20 percent of fatal overdoses, and lawmakers want assurance that the federal government recognizes the lethal threat. In other news on the crisis, researchers try to understand why there are so many relapses when it comes to opioid addiction, Virginia’s governor takes steps to address the problem, lawmakers ask for an investigation into a rash of overdoses at Connecticut “sober homes” and hundreds rally to support preserving substance abuse treatment.
Supreme Court Appears To Take Critical View In Nursing Home Arbitration Case
In the case, Kindred Healthcare is fighting the daughters of two former residents of one of their nursing facilities. Although the daughters signed admission paperwork for their parents, Kentucky’s Supreme Court said the arbitration agreements in those contracts violated the residents’ “God-given” right to litigate any disputes. Meanwhile, although the high court’s justices ruled in favor of arbitration in two earlier cases, their questions this time around seemed to take a different tone.
Sen. Murkowski Will Not Vote For Health Law Repeal That Also Defunds Planned Parenthood
In other news on women’s reproductive health, St. Louis takes steps to preempt an anti-abortion measure that is moving through the Missouri legislature. And a group of doctors call on the Food and Drug Administration to loosen regulations surrounding the “abortion pill.”
Extension On Non-ACA Compliant Plans Could Undermine Efforts To Stabilize Markets
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the ruling Thursday to allow “grandmothered” plans to operate until Dec. 31, 2018. Meanwhile AHIP President Marilyn Tavenner and American Hospital Association President Rick Pollack talk about fixing the marketplace for individuals.
Uncertainty Over Health Law Repeal Throws Taxpayers For A Loop This Season
As Americans are filing their taxes, many are confused about what they have to divulge about their health insurance status.