Latest KFF Health News Stories
Opinion writers examine what might happen to Obamacare and the challenges that lie ahead.
Editorial writers across the country continue to examine the how and why behind the dynamics that played out last week on Capitol Hill as Republicans saw their American Health Care Act fail to reach a House vote.
Perspectives: Instead Of Celebrating AHCA’s Downfall, Industry Will Be Looking At Next Battle
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
PhRMA Analysis Shifts Blame For High Drug Prices
News outlets report on stories related to pharmaceutical drug pricing.
Media outlets report on news from California, Connecticut, Maryland, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Iowa, Texas and Florida.
As Cases Of Mumps Spike, Questions Are Raised About Effectiveness Of Vaccine
Also, hepatitis, the impacts of climate change, the D.C. HIV rally, celiac disease, replicating the female reproductive system and other stories make public health news today.
Regardless Of Where Children Start In Life, Exposure To Lead Drags Their Trajectory Down
A new study finds that the effects of lead are long-lasting, and have a negative impact on social mobility as adults.
Fetal Heartbeat Bill In Iowa Legislature, If Passed, Would Be Strictest In Country
“This is an all-out assault on women and a sneak attack from Republicans at the last minute,” said Democratic Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, a ranking member of the House Human Resources Committee.
California Activists Behind Planned Parenthood Videos Charged With 15 Felonies
Prosecutors say David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt filmed 14 people without permission between October 2013 and July 2015 in Los Angeles, San Francisco and El Dorado counties. The videos added fuel to congressional Republicans’ crusade against the organization.
Breakthrough Eczema Treatment Won’t Come Cheap
The drug will cost $37,000 a year. The Food and Drug Administration also has approved the first drug to treat severe multiple sclerosis.
Tom Price Is A Sharp Critic Of Obama-Led Shift Toward Value-Based System For Medicare
The Health and Human Services Department secretary says the move could undermine the traditional doctor-patient relationship.
Trump To Create Opioid Panel To Assess Federal Funding, Create Best Practices For Treatment
The president’s proposed executive order, however, left many Democrats on Capitol Hill scratching their heads because much of the information the commission appears to be seeking to establish is already well-known after an extensive public debate last year. Meanwhile, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) is pursuing answers on drugmakers’ role in the opioid epidemic.
Trump Suggests Surprise $1.2B Cut To NIH, But GOP Lawmaker Says It’s A Nonstarter
“You can’t come in at the last minute in a budget, to be fair, you weren’t a part of, and negotiate these kinds of changes,” Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) said in response to the proposal. “I just don’t think it’s doable.
Florida Lawmaker’s Plan To Cut Medicaid Budget By $239 Million Has Hospitals On Edge
Hospitals are deeply concerned that the proposal, which would likely also bring a similar reduction in federal funding, could deeply cut into their revenues. Meanwhile, Georgia officials are preparing to add another insurer to the Medicaid managed care program
After House Health Bill Collapses, Some States Reconsider Implementing Medicaid Expansion
Some states have been reluctant because they feared Congress was going to end the expansion, and that is now less of a concern, experts say. But in Tennessee, the governor says he’s not ready to make that move.
Kansas Lawmakers Send Medicaid Expansion Bill To Brownback
Many conservatives expect the governor to veto the legislation since he has in the past been very critical of the health law’s Medicaid expansion. But he has not yet said what he will do.
Republicans Hold High-Risk Maneuver To Sabotage ACA
But if they employ it, the blame for the resulting chaos could fall at their feet. Meanwhile, insurers now have only a few months to decide if they’re going to participate in next year’s marketplace.
Republicans Get Second Wind On Replacement, But Set No Definitive Timeline This Go-Round
House Republicans are pressing leadership to not give up on repeal and replace, but many know they face long odds. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump, at a bipartisan event held out the White House, said he expects everyone to be able to reach a deal “very quickly.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Short Shrift For Mental Health Coverage; Medicare’s Firewall From ‘Harmful’ Changes
A collection of opinions on health care from around the country.
