Latest KFF Health News Stories
Republican Health Replacement Bill’s Provisions On Medicaid Are Key Concern For Senators
One of the thorniest issues for Republicans is how to handle the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of Medicaid.
In Senate, GOP Is Walking A Razor-Thin Margin And These Deal-Breakers Could Nudge Them Over Edge
Politico looks at four hot-button topics that could cost Republican votes needed to pass health care legislation. Other media outlets offer explanations on taxes, the Byrd Rule and what will happen if the senators can’t pass a repeal-and-replace law.
Amid Fierce Criticism, McConnell Defends All-Male Panel: ‘Everybody Is At The Table’
Democrats are concerned that there are no women involved in the health law working group because they say the legislation is particularly harmful to women.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of public health opinions from around the country, ranging from the national response to the opioid crisis to states’ continued debate over Medicaid.
Opinion writers offer scathing reviews of the approach Republicans in Congress have so far taken in repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act.
Editorial pages examine a range of health policy issues with the Republicans health bill, the American Health Care Act, including an analysis of two Republican governors’ signals on preexisting conditions and doubts about how people with mental illness fare.
Media outlets report on news from Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Maryland, Florida, Washington and Texas.
Deficiencies In Detention Centers’ Medical Care Contributed To Immigrants’ Deaths, Report Finds
“There is significant evidence that ICE does know about many of the deficiencies in its medical care system, but that it has failed to take swift and appropriate action,” the Human Rights Watch says in the report.
Anti-Abortion Democrat’s Mayoral Bid Exposes Cracks In ‘One Voice’ Party Line
Is there room for anti-abortion lawmakers in the Democratic Party? Leaders are split on the issue.
This Research On How Salt Affects Our Bodies Just Upended 200 Years Of Accepted Knowledge
Salt may actually be involved in weight loss. In other public health news: Facebook and suicide, loneliness in seniors, gunshot wounds, and autism.
‘Enormous’ Disparity In Longevity Rates Between Counties Is Only Getting Worse
There are pockets in the country where people can expect to live 20 years less than residents in other areas. The research echoes other findings in recent years that show that the United States is failing to keep up with improvements in longevity seen in other affluent nations.
Senator, Concerned About Pharma’s Influence, Asks HHS To Delay Opioid Workshop
The workshop, hosted by the Food and Drug Administration, is designed to review the ways that physicians can treat pain and safely prescribe opioids. But Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) is concerned that the preliminary list of groups that are scheduled to participate in the workshop have ties to drugmakers. Meanwhile, states are being overwhelmed by the increased popularity of fentanyl.
Questions To Ask To Help You Avoid Surprise Medical Bills
In the world of murky prices and “gotcha” medical bills, there are some things a patient can do in advance to avoid getting blindsided by the cost of care.
Anthem Tries To Salvage Merger By Asking Judge To Stop Cigna From Pulling Out Of Deal
The judge expressed reservations about allowing the deal to be terminated but said it was “a long shot” for Anthem to succeed in winning merger approval.
Half Of Enrollees In Indiana’s New Medicaid Program Didn’t Make Required Payments
The program, which was set up by former governor Mike Pence, who is now vice president, and consultant Seema Verma, who now heads the agency that runs Medicaid and Medicare, requires people getting benefits to contribute to their premiums if they want the top level of care. State officials said, however, that only a small share of those who missed a payment ended up losing their health care for the state’s required six-month lockout period. News outlets also reported on Medicaid news from Alabama, Kansas and Nevada.
Biotech Leaders, NIH Officials Tout Benefits Of Research Spending During White House Meeting
But President Donald Trump’s proposal to cut nearly $6 billion from the National Institutes of Health budget was one of “several elephants in the room” that did not come up during the meeting, according to NIH Director Francis Collins.
VA Is In ‘Critical Condition But Moving Toward Stable,’ Agency’s Hands-On Chief Says
Dr. David Shulkin, by his own admission, is an unlikely choice to overhaul veterans services under President Donald Trump.
In Early Filings, Insurers Seeking Hefty Premium Increases For Obamacare Plans
Filings have been made public in only three states so far, but an analysis by Bloomberg finds prices there rising 20 percent on average. Helping drive the increases are insurers’ concerns about the Trump administration’s plans to enforce the health law’s requirement that people get insurance or pay a penalty.
Beyond Preexisting Conditions: GOP’s Change To Essential Benefits Would Affect Nearly Everyone
The Affordable Care Act requires health plans sold to individuals to include 10 essential health benefits. Some plans offered by employers also include those benefits and cannot impose annual or lifetime limits on reimbursements for those expenses. The Republican plan allows states to scrap those protections. Media outlets also examine other ways the Republicans’ health care legislation would affect Americans, even if they’re not buying coverage through Obamacare.
