Conservatives’ Goal To Relax Mandatory Health Benefits Unlikely To Tame Premiums
By Julie Rovner The federal health law requires most insurance plans to offer 10 specific categories of essential benefits. Conservatives would like to get rid of that rule in the hopes of bringing down premium costs.

Florida Congressman Draws Jeers At Home For Backing Failed GOP Health Care Plan
By Phil Galewitz Rep. Brian Mast, a first-term Republican congressman, defends his party’s push to repeal Obamacare in a meeting with constituents but concedes its health care plan needs more work.

Tax Day Is Zero Hour For Health Insurance, Too
By Julie Rovner People who don’t have insurance coverage or get federal assistance to pay their insurance premiums need to take a little extra care when completing their tax forms.

Grasping For The Middle Ground On Obamacare
By Emily Bazar A University of Southern California professor says conservatives and liberals should split the difference: Scrap the exchanges and expand Medicaid.

With Drug Costs In Crosshairs, Health Firms Gave Generously To Trump’s Inauguration
By Jay Hancock and Sydney Lupkin and Elizabeth Lucas Led by Pfizer and Amgen, about 10 health care firms contributed to President Donald Trump’s inauguration, which earned them entry into private events with the president and vice president.

Nonprofit Linked To PhRMA Rolls Out Campaign To Block Drug Imports
By Emily Kopp and Rachel Bluth The advocacy group behind an expensive media blitz opposing Canadian drug imports has deep ties to the drug industry’s largest trade group.

Kids With Hepatitis C Get New Drugs And Coverage May Prove Easier Than For Adults
By Michelle Andrews The drugs, approved by the FDA for children earlier this month, can run $100,000 for a course of treatment.

Readers: Training Patients To Advocate For Their Illnesses Is ‘A Virtue Not A Sin’
Kaiser Health News gives readers a chance to respond, react and comment on our stories.

Trump Extends Flawed ‘Fix’ For VA Health Scandals
By Eric Whitney, Montana Public Radio The $10 billion plug-in that lets frustrated veterans receive care from private-sector providers is still causing frustration.

For Doctors, A Clamp Down On Visas Could Have An Uneven Effect In The U.S.
By Michelle Andrews New research shows that physicians getting H-1B visas account for just over 1 percent of all doctors, but some areas are much more likely to be seeking their services.

How To Help Alzheimer’s Patients Enjoy Life, Not Just ‘Fade Away’
By Judith Graham Research shows that people with dementia can benefit significantly from efforts to ease communication, improve overall health and other key measures.

Stalking the ‘Unknown Enemy’: Doctors Turn Scope On Rare Diseases
By Anna Gorman Photos by Heidi de Marco An NIH-funded network of hospitals uses advanced genetic science and nationwide collaboration to diagnose rare and sometimes undiscovered diseases.

Sen. Grassley Demands Scrutiny Of Medicare Advantage Plans
By Fred Schulte The powerful chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee wants the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to explain $125 million in overcharges by insurers.

What Doesn’t Kill You Can Maim: Unexpected Injuries From Opioids
By Martha Bebinger, WBUR Doctors are beginning to pay attention to injuries, such as brain damage or kidney failure, that can afflict people who survive an overdose.

A New Worry For Smokers’ Families: ‘Thirdhand Smoke’
By Carmen Heredia Rodriguez The chemical residue from cigarette smoke that can cling to walls, clothes and skin may present a danger to children.

California Lawmakers Consider Mandatory Labels On Salon Products To Protect Workers
By Pauline Bartolone Bill would require disclosure of potentially harmful chemicals used in hair treatments, nail polish and other substances used in salons.

San Francisco Seeks To Ban Sale Of Menthol Cigarettes, Flavored Tobacco Products
By Elaine Korry A proposed ordinance would block access to menthol cigarettes, as well as e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco with flavors such as chocolate, cherry or popcorn. Studies show such products are overwhelmingly favored by teenagers and some minorities.

California Hospitals Lose Ground In Quality Of Care, Report Card Shows
By Chad Terhune The nonprofit Leapfrog Group shows nearly half of California hospitals got a grade of C, D or F in patient safety measures — an increase from two years ago.

As California Weighs Soda Warning Labels, Tax In Berkeley Shown To Dilute Sales
By Ana B. Ibarra Sales of sugary drinks dropped in the city by nearly 10 percent a year after tax took effect in 2015, while bottled water sales rose, researchers report.