Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Different Takes: A Repeal-Replace Redux?; Time To Take Graham-Cassidy’s ‘Zombie’ Bill Seriously

Morning Briefing

Editorial pages across the country are analyzing recent developments in the congressional GOP’s ongoing repeal-and-replace effort and taking notice of the latest — what some say is the last-ditch — measure to undo the Affordable Care Act.

Western States Have Disproportionately High Suicide Rates For Veterans

Morning Briefing

Epidemiologist Rajeev Ramchand, who has a background in studying suicide, said there could be several factors that led to the results, including gun ownership, difficulty accessing proper health care and isolation from communities. Meanwhile, after a series of disappointments from its supercomputer Watson, IBM is counting on Watson’s efforts with the VA health system.

Global Health Progress Has Been Made, But U.S. Aid Cuts Could Be Lethal To Millions

Morning Briefing

Bill and Melinda Gates release a report card assessing global health, and warn only the United States is rich enough and generous enough to lead the charge on foreign aid. In other public health news: MRIs, tattoos and infections.

Aside From Florida Nursing Home Tragedy, Most Health Facilities Performed Well During Irma

Morning Briefing

Just 10 of Florida’s more than 300 hospitals were closed by the storm. While 150 of the 700 nursing homes lacked full power three days after Hurricane Irma struck, most had backup generators, according to the Florida Health Care Association. In Texas, a key federal official is looking at what lessons should be learned from Hurricane Harvey.

Trump Administration Embraces Partnership With Pharma To Fight Opioid Crisis

Morning Briefing

The partnership will “fast track” the development of non-opioid pain medication, as well as new medication-assisted treatment options. However, the administration still hasn’t moved forward with its opioid commission’s main recommendation, which was to declare a national emergency.

Senators Release Details Of Children’s Health Insurance Bill As Funding Deadline Approaches

Morning Briefing

The funding authority for the popular Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) expires on Sept. 30, but senators have a bipartisan proposal to extend it. Some states are getting nervous. In Medicaid news, a Republican candidate for governor in Ohio breaks with the state’s current Gov. John Kasich on Medicaid expansion.

After Government Guts Health Law Outreach Budget, Insurers Kick Off Own Ad Campaigns

Morning Briefing

“Particularly in this year of uncertainty, it’s really important for us to be in market early and and reassure the 22 million folks that are insured that it is really important to get covered,” says Sara Rowghani, insurance startup Oscar’s vice president. Meanwhile, Affordable Care Act navigators say their job is a lot more complex than the government seems to think.

CBO Warns It Won’t Have Time To Give Full Analysis On Graham-Cassidy Bill

Morning Briefing

That could make it difficult for some Republicans to throw support behind the bill, but it will also allow lawmakers to avoid any damaging headlines until after the vote. The Congressional Budget Office’s “preliminary assessment” is expected next week.

Senators’ Interpersonal Dynamics On Display As Lawmakers Try To Court Hold-Out Votes

Morning Briefing

Passing the latest repeal-and-replace bill may all come down to old friendships. Meanwhile a look at how this all came about, and how Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has been put into a strange position of supporting work created outside his leadership team.