Latest KFF Health News Stories
White House Shifts Into Damage Control Mode
Although President Donald Trump publicly blames Democrats for the bill’s defeat, behind the scenes some place the blame elsewhere. “This is 100 percent a Ryan failure,” one senior administration official says. Others though downplay any tension between the two men.
Health Stocks Surge On News That GOP Pull Health Bill
A look at how the markets are reacting to the defeat of the American Health Care Act.
‘Today’s A Great Day For Our Country’: Dems Celebrate Health Plan’s Collapse
House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi credited the win partly to the American people who voiced their concerns about repeal plans. “Our phone lines were all deluged,” she said.
Next Steps Uncertain For GOP, As Defeat Weighs Heavy On Future Goals
“If you look at this health care problem, it’s not going away. At some point, we’re going to have to come back to this,” said Rep. Bradley Byrne of Alabama. But Republicans don’t appear to have a clear path forward of what that looks like.
Failing To Whip Up Support, House Leaders Pull Replacement Bill From Floor
At press conference, House Speaker Paul Ryan acknowledges the setback but says his party remains committed. “The best days are ahead” for the country, but “Obamacare is the law of the land,” he says, and “we’re going to live with it” for the foreseeable future.
Viewpoints: Support For Paid Leave; Immigrants Afraid Of Seeking Care
A collection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Essential Health Benefits Reviewed: ‘Galling’ Return To Bad Old Days; Lowering Premiums
Some opinion writers urge caution before jettisoning insurance guarantees, but premium costs appear to be at the heart of the argument to get rid of the health law’s essential health benefits.
Health Debate Opinions: Crisis Is Not Trump’s Or Ryan’s Fault; GOP Failed Its Voters’ Needs
As consideration of the Republican health bill stalls on Capitol Hill, opinion writers find many faults.
Research Roundup: Ads And Testosterone Use; Home Monitoring With Apps; Per Capita Caps
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from Massachusetts, Illinois, Connecticut, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Mississippi, Tennessee, Iowa, Wisconsin, California, Texas and Minnesota.
KanCare Expansion Headed To Full State Senate Vote
Even as uncertainty swirls in Washington, D.C., supporters of the Medicaid expansion say, “we have to move forward as a state.” Media outlets also report on news out of Minnesota, New Hampshire and California.
Trump, A Self-Avowed Dealmaker, Faces High Stakes In Outcome Of Friday’s House Vote
As the GOP health plan became mired in intense negotiations this week, the ability to secure the measure is increasingly viewed as a major test for President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, news outlets also report that the process has caused him doubts about choosing to pursue Obamacare replacement as first item on his agenda.
Clearing The House Is Just The First Step; GOP Plan Faces Significant Hurdles In The Senate
In the upper chamber, Republicans only claim a 52-48 majority, and many senators have already expressed their dismay at parts of the House’s American Health Care Act. Democrats see opportunities to snag parts of the GOP plan. Meanwhile, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who argues that the measure does not go far enough to repeal Obamacare, is among those who has raised constitutional issues.
Policies In GOP Health Bill Leaves Divisions Among Representatives, Many State Officials
News outlets around the country report on how their local congressional delegations — and state officials — are leaning on the Republican plan to dismantle Obamacare.
Majority Of Americans Oppose Republicans’ Replacement Bill, New Poll Finds
Only 17 percent surveyed by Quinnipiac University support the American Health Care Act. And as former President Barack Obama makes a rare statement about the debate regarding his signature health care legislation, Democrats mobilize to use the vote against vulnerable Republicans.
Health Industries Keep Careful Eye On Capitol Hill Action
The flux surrounding the House health bill vote injects uncertainty into the health care stock markets while hospitals voice worries regarding the changes Republicans have proposed. Meanwhile, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce president urges lawmakers to follow through with repeal efforts.
CBO Score For Revised House Health Bill Still Finds Big Coverage Loss But The Costs Grow
The changes made by Republicans leaders did not alter the original forecast of 24 million Americans losing their insurance. But the Congressional Budget Office said although the new plan would still reduce the deficit, it would cost $186 billion more over 10 years than the earlier legislation.
Health Bill Would Cut Medicaid, Which Candidate Trump Said He Would Not To Do
The GOP measure would cut Medicaid spending by hundreds of billions of dollars over 10 years. News outlets also round up the other areas of health care that would be touched if the proposal becomes law.
Conservative Republicans Demand That Essential Benefits Coverage Be Dropped
A core piece of Obamacare is the requirement that insurers offer plans that cover basic health services like maternity care, mental health services, prescription drugs and hospital care. Some Republicans seek to lower costs and have more choice for health insurance sold to individuals by rolling back those requirements.
