Weekly Edition: May 1-5, 2017

Political Theater: How A Bill That Nearly All Opposed Managed To Pass The House
By Phil Galewitz House Republicans can say they kept their campaign promise to replace Obamacare, but they’re counting on the Senate to backstop them.

A Squeaker In The House Becomes Headache For The Senate: 5 Things To Watch
By Julie Rovner With a slim margin, Senate Republicans must tread a fine line to pass their health replacement bill.

Some GOP Congress Members Could Pay Politically For ACA Repeal Vote
By Emily Bazar and Ana B. Ibarra Some political analysts and community advocates say members of California’s Republican congressional delegation, which voted unanimously for the House bill, could be haunted at the polls.

Blue Shield CEO Says GOP’s ‘Flawed’ Health Bill Would Harm Sicker Consumers
By Chad Terhune CEO Paul Markovich said he opposes the Republican plan because it would allow insurers to once again discriminate against people with preexisting conditions. "We are better than that," he said.

Sounds Like A Good Idea? High-Risk Pools
By Julie Rovner and Francis Ying A KHN video looks at a Republican plan to establish a federal high-risk insurance pool.

Louisiana Proposes Tapping A Federal Law To Slash Hepatitis C Drug Prices
By Sarah Jane Tribble Several public health officials endorse using a federal law to slash hepatitis C drug prices in Louisiana and avoid drug bills that could cripple the state budget.

Drug Coverage Denied By Medicare? How Seniors Can Fight Back
By Judith Graham Senior citizens have to be patient and keep close records to appeal when Medicare plans refuse to cover their medicines.

Mom’s Policy, Medicaid Or A Health Exchange Plan: What’s A Grad To Do?
By Michelle Andrews The federal health law has opened up new options for young adults but it can sometimes be confusing. A quick guide to the choices.

To Save On Medi-Cal Costs, A Bid To Help Homeless Patients With Rent Money
By Pauline Bartolone California lawmakers consider a bill to use state money to help homeless Medi-Cal patients pay rent — shifting their focus from sheer survival to wellness. The move could save taxpayers millions, advocates say.

Trump’s Vow To Squeeze ‘Sanctuary Cities’ Could Play Havoc With Health Programs
By Shefali Luthra Local health officials are bracing for the potential impact of a Trump administration policy that would stop federal funding to jurisdictions that don’t enforce federal immigration laws.

How To Ease The Financial Pain Of High-Deductible Health Plans
By Emily Bazar You might save money on premiums with a high-deductible health plan only to find you’re spending more on the back end. These tips will help you minimize your expenses for medical treatment and prescriptions.

Urgent Care Sites Cater To Cancer Patients, Letting Them Check Some Worries At Door
By Michelle Andrews Hospitals and oncology practices are setting up urgent care services aimed specifically at cancer patients to help keep them out of the hospital.

Volunteers Help Ombudsmen Give Nursing Home Residents ‘A Voice’ In Their Care
By Susan Jaffe Ombudsman's offices represent long-term care residents on issues such as admissions and discharges, food, physical environment and abuse.

Exodus By Puerto Rican Medical Students Deepens Island’s Doctor Drain
By Carmen Heredia Rodriguez Interest in medical schools is high in Puerto Rico, but many students look to the U.S. mainland for residencies because of higher pay and the commonwealth's declining economy. The migration of young talent is both a symptom and an exacerbation of the island’s medical woes.

Pseudoscience Fuels Fear Behind Minnesota Measles Outbreak
By Mark Zdechlik, Minnesota Public Radio An outbreak of 34 cases of measles has hit Minnesota's densely populated Somali-American neighborhoods, where 6 in 10 children are not vaccinated against the virus.

Federal Money For State-Level Zika Tracking, Prevention May End This Summer
By Ana B. Ibarra California has reported more than 500 travel-related Zika infections, and five babies have been born in the state with birth defects related to the mosquito-borne disease.