Latest KFF Health News Stories
Looking Beyond Repeal Vote, House Republicans Plan Their Own Health Bills
The House GOP moved forward Thursday with targeted measures to advance their own version of health legislation. Four committee chairmen outlined plans to develop specific proposals to kill or replace certain elements of the health law.
Three Senate Dems Urge Boehner To Move Quickly To Delete Health Law Reporting Requirement
Though it is generally accepted that the GOP repeal effort is finding little-to-no traction among Senate Democrats, some of these lawmakers are urging House GOP leaders to move fast to undo a small health law provision that requires business to file certain tax forms.
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Possible Hospital Merger In Mass. Could Accelerate Trend Toward Consolidation
Meanwhile, news outlets report on another hospital merger as well as how a Minnesota psychiatric hospital gathered the necessary funds and support to be built.
Medicare Warnings, Entitlement Cuts Draw Attention
Meanwhile, KQED reports on efforts to coordinate coverage for baby-boomers who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.
Roundup: NY Times On Mental Health Cuts; Wis. GOP Agenda Moves Ahead; Minn. Medicaid Expansion
A variety of news from Arizona, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland and Massachusetts.
Health Overhaul Mandates Spur Lobbying Push For Waivers, Bloomberg Reports
The new health law has created an open-season atmosphere for Washington lobbyists seeking waivers and other changes.
HHS Announces Implementation Grants For State Health Exchanges
As a result of the health law, the state-level exchanges must be up and running by January 2014.
After Repeal Vote, What Becomes Of Health Reform Messaging, Public Opinions
News outlets report on how the next chapters of the debate will be marked by both parties seeking to “mold” public opinion. An example: a recent speech by Newt Gingrich in which he warns of a possible “health dictatorship.” In the background, polls continue to explore how the American public views the law.
GOP Anti-Abortion Bill Introduced In House
This divisive issue promises to stir up politics on the Hill and trigger debates about federal funding that will include issues related to the health law.
First Edition: January 21, 2011
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the House GOP’s plans to advance the “replace” part of their strategy to reverse the health overhaul.
WHO Executive Board Meeting Addresses Agency’s Policy On Counterfeit, Substandard Medications
Intellectual Property Watch reports on how delegates at WHO’s executive board meeting used Wednesday to discuss WHO policy on counterfeit and substandard medications. According to the news service, WHO “members
U.S., China Announce Public-Private Health Care Partnership
In conjunction with the state visit to the U.S. by Chinese President Hu Jintao, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and several other federal agencies on Wednesday announced a new public-private health care partnership between the U.S. and China, Modern Healthcare reports (Blesch, 1/19).
USAID Administrator Discusses Agency’s Plans To Reduce Spending, Reform Development Practices
USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, “in a speech on Wednesday, outlined steps USAID is taking to improve its balance sheet, including moving costly senior jobs from places such as Paris and Tokyo, reducing its real estate portfolio and doing more work with in-house experts rather than expensive contractors,” Reuters reports (Quinn, 1/19).
House GOP Passes Health Law Repeal
In what is considered to be a symbolic vote, House Republicans joined with three Democrats to fulfill a campaign pledge to pass a bill that would undo the sweeping health overhaul.
After Vote, GOP’s Real Work Begins
Although the House repeal vote was a big-ticket item that gained a lot of media attention, the real work in the Republican effort to undo the health law will involve hearings, testimony, funding cuts and targeted legislative attempts to change specific provisions. The GOP will also work on crafting an alternative health plan. So far, specifics have been scarce.
Exploring The New Tone Of Repeal Rhetoric
News outlets detail the tone of this week’s debate in the House of Representatives. They also parse some of the specific dynamics of the arguments in play.
Health Law: Filling In Some Policy Details
News outlets flesh out specific provisions of the health law, including how some aspects of the measure impact small businesses, state implementation efforts and the individual mandate.
