Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Voices On The Impact Of The American Health Care Act: Who’s Talking? Who’s Not?

Morning Briefing

Opinion writers take aim at comments made by some of the Republican plan’s pitch men while also noting the interests that are staying silent as the debate continues. They also highlight the role of key players and personalities such as Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price.

Outlooks And Assessments: Criticism Of The House GOP Health Plan Heats Up

Morning Briefing

In the aftermath of Congressional Budget Office estimates regarding the number of Americans who would lose health coverage under the American Health Care Act, editorial pages move deeper into the discussion with some scalding critiques of the plan and some defenses of how it could help reduce the nation’s deficit.

Federal Officials Pledge To Let States Add Medicaid Work Requirements, Other Changes

Morning Briefing

In a letter to governors, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price and Seema Verma, the newly installed head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said that they would consider waivers to revamp traditional Medicaid and narrow the parameters of the expansion allowed under the Affordable Care Act.

Experts Fear That GOP Health Plan Could Harm Addiction Services Now Covered By Medicaid

Morning Briefing

In other news on the substance abuse crisis, two federal advisory panels take steps that could lead to a ban on Opana, a reformulated opioid billed as crush resistant, making it harder to snort. But instead people are injecting the drug, leading to fatal overdoses and the spread of HIV. And, The New York Times reports that teen drug use is down.

Increasingly Wary Senators Warn Bill Won’t Pass Without Changes

Morning Briefing

The problems lawmakers have with the legislation include the potential loss of insurance coverage, changes to Medicaid, the trajectory of premium prices and the bill’s impact on costs paid by older, low-income and rural Americans.