Legislation Archives - Page 13 of 39

Democrats See Opportunity in GOP Threats to Repeal Health Law

Episode 325

Dec. 7, 2023

Sensing that Republicans are walking into a political minefield by threatening once again to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the Biden administration is looking to capitalize by rolling out a series of initiatives aimed at high drug prices and other consequences of “corporate greed in health care.” Meanwhile, the Supreme Court hears a case that could determine when and how much victims of the opioid crisis can collect from Purdue Pharma, the drug company that lied about how addictive its drug, OxyContin, really was. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, and Rachana Pradhan of KFF Health News join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Dan Weissmann of KFF Health News’ sister podcast, “An Arm and a Leg,” about his investigation into hospitals suing their patients over unpaid bills.

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What the Health? From KFF Health News

Trump Puts Obamacare Repeal Back on Agenda

Episode 324

Nov. 30, 2023

Although Republicans have never united behind a replacement for the Affordable Care Act, 2024 GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump said this week he wants to put the issue back on the national agenda. That delights Democrats, who have won at least two elections partly by defending the now-popular health law. Meanwhile, the Texas Supreme Court takes up a case brought by women who say their pregnancy complications further endangered their health due to the vagueness of Texas’ near-total ban on abortions. Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Victoria Knight of Axios News join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Rachana Pradhan, who reported and wrote the latest “Bill of the Month” feature.

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Three people stand behind lecterns on a debate stage. Former governor of South Carolina and United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley stands on the left, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is in the center and currently speaking, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy stands on the right.

What Would a DeSantis Presidency Look Like for Health Care?

Ron DeSantis’ record as Florida governor provides some clues to how he would change the health care landscape if elected president. In his five years as governor, DeSantis has promoted stricter abortion rules and emphasized individual freedom over the benefits of public health.

By Romy Ellenbogen, Tampa Bay Times and Christopher O’Donnell, Tampa Bay Times

Nov. 24, 2023

Anti-Abortion Groups Shrug Off Election Losses, Look to Courts, Statehouses for Path Forward

Anti-abortion groups have lost seven consecutive elections on state ballot measures about abortion. They say they’re unfazed and plan to keep focusing on lawmakers and courts to notch wins.

By Rachana Pradhan

Nov. 22, 2023

The Health 202

Nikki Haley (And Her Opponents) Struggle With a Vaccine Message

By Darius Tahir

Nov. 21, 2023

A digital illustration in colorful gouache shows a small crowd of abstract pregnant figures. A large pencil drawing of handcuffs on a chain is overlaid on the canvas in the shape of a spiral. It obscures the faces of the people.

Most States Ban Shackling Pregnant Women in Custody, Yet Many Report Being Restrained

Advocates for pregnant people in police custody say repeated incidents show prohibitions on handcuffs and other restraints are little more than lip service.

By Renuka Rayasam

Nov. 17, 2023

Daphne Muehlendorf stands with a walker beside one of her daughters, Terra Khan.

The Unusual Way a Catholic Health System Is Wielding an Abortion Protest Law

Dignity Health is suing several patients and their advocates for “commercial blockade” for refusing discharge during the covid-19 pandemic. The lawsuits could set precedents for use of the California commercial blockade statute, conceived to constrain abortion protesters, and how hospitals handle discharges.

By Judy Lin

Nov. 15, 2023

A photo of a pharmacist organizing boxes of pills in an opened drawer.

Biden Administration’s Limit on Drug Industry Middlemen Backfires, Pharmacists Say

A rule taking effect Jan. 1 was intended to stop one set of abuses by pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, but some pharmacists say it’s enabling these price brokers to simply do new things unfairly.

By Arthur Allen

Nov. 15, 2023

KFF Health News & PolitiFact HealthCheck

Do Republican Spending Cuts Threaten Federal HIV Funding? For Some Programs, Yes.

Spending cuts proposed by a Republican-led House subcommittee would cut millions from HIV-related spending.

By Grace Abels, PolitiFact

Nov. 14, 2023

A photo of five Republican candidates standing on stage at the third GOP debate of the 2024 election season.

KFF Health News & PolitiFact HealthCheck

Another GOP Primary Debate … Another Night of Verbal Clashes

In a faceoff that took some strange turns, five presidential hopefuls focused on foreign affairs and inflation but still revealed the party’s political struggles over its abortion position. Once again, former President Donald Trump did not appear on the debate stage.

By KFF Health News and PolitiFact staffs

Nov. 9, 2023

Ohio Voted on Abortion. Next Year, 11 More States Might, Too.

Ohio is the latest state where voters have directly weighed in on abortion, and the next wave of such ballot measures is in the works in at least 11 other states, including Missouri.

By Bram Sable-Smith

Nov. 8, 2023

A photo of a pharmacist pouring blue Truvada pills into a bottle.

US to Cover HIV Prevention Drugs for Older Americans to Stem Spread of the Virus

The government has proposed that Medicare fully cover preexposure prophylaxis drugs that prevent HIV, a change that could help America catch up with nations in Europe and Africa that are on track to end new infections decades before the U.S. under its current approach.

By Michael Scaturro

Nov. 8, 2023

Three ambulances are lined up outside of an emergency room of a children's hospital in Orange, CA.

Asking Never Hurts

New California Law Offers Fresh Protection From Steep Ambulance Bills

The law, which takes effect Jan. 1, prohibits out-of-network ground ambulance operators from billing patients more than they would pay for in-network rides. It also caps how much the uninsured must pay.

By Bernard J. Wolfson

Nov. 7, 2023

A photo of Iowa's governor, Kim Reynolds, signing a bill into law banning most abortions in the state after about six weeks. People are standing behind her and watching as she signs.

Iowa’s Governor Opposes Abortion — And Has Final Say on Whether Medicaid Pays for It

The federal government requires state Medicaid programs to pay for abortions in limited circumstances, but Iowa hasn’t done so for years. No providers seek Medicaid payments, which require the approval of the governor, an anti-abortion Republican.

By Tony Leys

Nov. 7, 2023

A student, who appears to be sleeping, has their face down in her arms as they sits at a desk.

Science Says Teens Need More Sleep. So Why Is It So Hard to Start School Later?

Sleep deprivation in adolescents is linked to mental health struggles, worse grades, traffic accidents, and more. That’s why states such as California and Florida have mandated later high school start times. But opposition to later times is less about the science than it is about logistics and costs.

By Catherine Sweeney, WPLN

Nov. 6, 2023

A medical healthcare worker puts a bandage on a child's arm after vaccination.

States Reconsider Religious Exemptions for Vaccinations in Child Care

Providers and health care advocates warn a proposed rule change in Montana would jeopardize immunity levels in child care centers and communities. Efforts to change vaccination exemption rules are underway in other states, too.

By Matt Volz

Nov. 3, 2023

A line chart with two lines representing men and women taking family leave over time. As time progresses, men have begun to take more family leave, closely trailing the amount of women taking leave.

Dads Drive Growth in California’s Paid Family Leave Program

The number of men in the state taking paid family leave to bond with a new child has risen nearly 20% since the start of the pandemic.

By Phillip Reese

Oct. 30, 2023

A photo of Governor Gavin Newsom during a press conference taken from the side. On the wall behind him is California's state seal.

California Expands Paid Sick Days and Boosts Health Worker Wages

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation expanding paid sick leave to five days, extending bereavement leave to miscarriages and failed adoptions, and approving an eventual $25-an-hour health care minimum wage. Still, in a possible sign of national ambitions, the Democrat vetoed free condoms in schools and refused to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms.

By Don Thompson

Oct. 25, 2023

A photo of a bowl of candy corn surrounded by carved pumpkins and small plastic spider decorations.

California Moves Ahead of the FDA in Banning Common Candy Additives

The legislation bans the use of four additives that are already prohibited in many other countries but remain in popular U.S. foods. Advocates say states need to act because the FDA has done little.

By Annie Sciacca

Oct. 20, 2023

A photo of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer speaking at a bill signing event.

Michigan Voters Backed Abortion Rights. Now Democrats Want to Go Further.

Michigan is one of the few remaining abortion havens in the Midwest. But getting an abortion in that state is still more difficult than it should be, providers say.

By Kate Wells, Michigan Public

Oct. 17, 2023

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