Weekly Edition: May 22-2
Millions Of Ill People May Face ‘Extremely High Premiums’ Under House Bill, CBO Says
By Julie Rovner
The report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office evaluates last-minute changes made to the bill to help propel it to passage.
Citing CBO Report, Critics Decry GOP Bill’s Potential Fallout In California
By Anna Gorman
"I feel like I am in a bad dream," said state Sen. Ed Hernandez, who chairs California's Senate Health Committee.
‘Health Care’ = Fighting Words In Montana
By Diane Webber
A question about the Obamacare repeal bill turned into a rumble in the Montana special election — portending tough times ahead for Republicans.
Strategies To Defend Unpopular GOP Health Bill: Euphemisms, False Statements And Deleted Comments
By Charles Ornstein, ProPublica
Since the House passed the American Health Care Act, Republican members of Congress have tried to swing public opinion to their side. ProPublica has been tracking what they're saying.
GOP’s Health Bill Could Undercut Some Coverage In Job-Based Insurance
By Michelle Andrews
In states that take up the bill’s option to change the essential health benefits, the out-of-pocket spending limits and annual and lifetime caps on coverage in large group plans could fray.
Republicans Race The Clock On Health Care — But The Calendar Is Not Helping
By Julie Rovner
The delays in pushing through a bill to replace Obamacare are beginning to back up other key items on the congressional calendar.
Influx Of Elderly Patients Forces ER To Practice Comfort Care
By Melissa Bailey
Despite a culture clash and lack of time and training, ER doctors see how palliative care averts suffering for elderly patients with serious illnesses.
‘You’ve Got Mail’: Emails And Robocalls Hit Home In Promoting Medicaid Enrollment
By Michelle Andrews
An Oregon study finds that spending a lot more money to reach out personally to low-income residents eligible for Medicaid doesn’t bring an advantage.
Putting A Lid On Waste: Needless Medical Tests Not Only Cost $200B — They Can Do Harm
By Chad Terhune
The health care industry thrives on ordering up tests and treatments, but some hospitals are urging restraint.
Tab For Single-Payer Proposal In California Could Run $400 Billion
By Chad Terhune
A state Senate panel considering the measure said money for existing public programs could cover half the cost. But the rest might have to come from new taxes — a serious political obstacle.
Who Will Care For Abril? Parents Fear For Their Disabled Child If They Are Deported
By Jocelyn Wiener and Heidi de Marco
Anticipating a broader immigration crackdown, undocumented families are hiring lawyers and scrambling to make contingency plans for their seriously ill U.S.-born kids.
New York State Wants Its Prescription Drug Money Back — Or Else
By Julie Appleby
A new law gives Medicaid regulators power to threaten drugmakers with cost-effectiveness scrutiny unless they grant additional rebates.