Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Supreme Court Quiet About Health Law Appeals

Morning Briefing

Although the justices met Thursday behind closed doors, no word emerged about whether the high court will hear appeals over the health law. But a decision about these cases could come Monday.

Including Evangelical Christians In U.S. Foreign Aid Discussion

Morning Briefing

“Washington is in an era of budget-cutting, so we frequently hear calls to shrink or eliminate U.S. foreign-assistance programs,” which is why “several religious groups … are highlighting how these programs reduce global poverty and hunger, saving millions of lives,” Richard Stearns, president of World Vision USA, writes in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece. However, he says “evangelical Christians [are] largely absent from this religious coalition” and notes that “a Pew survey earlier this year found that 56 percent of evangelicals think ‘aid to the world’s poor’ should be the first thing cut from the federal budget.”

First Edition: Nov. 11, 2011

Morning Briefing

Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the challenges the super committee continues to confront its deadline approaces, as well as news about the Supreme Court’s announcement on whether it will hear health law appeals.

Deficit Panel At Impasse Despite Offers

Morning Briefing

The Democrats outlined a new “tax trigger” and news outlets report that the two sides have largely agreed to a broad outline of spending reductions, including to Medicare and other domestic programs.

Next Chapter In Health Law Legal Challenges Could Be Decided Thursday

Morning Briefing

Meanwhile, some conservative activists are renewing their calls for Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan to step aside in regard to cases that involve the health law. And, a judge makes a case for delaying a final decision until after 2014 in a dissenting opinion regarding the DC Circuit Court’s ruling.

Miss. ‘Personhood’ Amendment Failure Raises Doubts About Strategy

Morning Briefing

The group that supported the controversial ballot issue says it wants to go forward in other states next year. Meanwhile, a judge in Kansas threw out criminal charges against a Planned Parenthood clinic.

Groups Push For Insurance Oversight Promised By Health Law

Morning Briefing

A letter was sent to the White House by more than 50 organizations demanding that the administration require simple, standardized health insurance forms starting next year, as called for in the law.

What About Walmart’s Plans To Add Health Clinics?

Morning Briefing

After questions from reporters, the retailer backpedaled from statements in confidential documents, saying it didn’t plan on dominating the medical market in the way it dominates the discount-store business.