Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

State Highlights: Mass. Senate Leaders Focus On Curbing State Health Care Costs; Three Pa. Health Systems Report Fiscal 2017 Losses

Morning Briefing

Media outlets report on news from Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Connecticut, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

After Puzzling Over Mumps Outbreaks, Scientists Recommend Extra Dose Of Vaccine

Morning Briefing

There have been cases recently where the vast majority of a population affected by an outbreak had received the two doses of vaccine, yet people still contracted the virus. In other public health news: a pen that detects cancer, overtreatment, mosquitoes, breast cancer, romantic attraction and more.

In Response To Epidemic, Senators Advance ‘Partial-Fill’ Approach To Opioid Prescriptions

Morning Briefing

Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) say the clause would let patients decide if they wanted less than the full prescription in their homes. In other news, the Food and Drug Administration issues a warning to a drugmaker for its marketing tactics, a task force releases recommendations on fighting the epidemic, a new study finds addiction medication has little impact on users, and more.

Evacuating A Hospital Isn’t An Easy Undertaking. Here’s How One Facility In Texas Managed It.

Morning Briefing

The New York Times takes a look at the intricate plan to remove patients from the Baptist Beaumont Hospital after Harvey hit. The lingering public health effects from the storm are also in the news.

Senate Panel Approves An Increase In Funding For NIH

Morning Briefing

The increase is part of the funding bill for the Departments of Health and Human Services, Education and Labor. House appropriators have a different plan. Also, senators today hold a hearing on the future of the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Fallout From Rolling Back DACA Would Ripple Through Health Care Industry

Morning Briefing

Surveys of DACA beneficiaries reveal that about one-fifth of them work in the health care and educational sector, suggesting a potential loss of tens of thousands of workers from in-demand job categories like home health aide and nursing assistant.

Activists Try To Fill Gaps Left By Trump Gutting Health Law Outreach Budget

Morning Briefing

Organizations such as Protect Our Care and health care leaders like Andy Slavitt, former acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, are trying to keep the momentum going to get people to enroll in health care coverage for next year. Media outlets report on marketplace news out of Virginia, Kentucky, Colorado and Ohio, as well.

McCain Throws Support Behind Long-Shot Graham-Cassidy Bill, But Then Walks It Back

Morning Briefing

Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) are trying to scrape up support for a last-ditch effort bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Governors To Urge Senate That Reinsurance, Other Measures Needed For Marketplaces

Morning Briefing

The five governors who will testify before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee today are expected to press for a series of changes to give the marketplace more stability over the coming years.

Senators Kick Off Efforts To Find Elusive Compromise On Health Care At Cordial Hearing

Morning Briefing

“Democrats will have to agree to something — more flexibility for states — that some may be reluctant to support. And Republicans will have to agree to something, additional funding through the Affordable Care Act, that some may be reluctant to support. That is called a compromise,” Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander said. State insurance commissioners spoke at the session, urging Congress to continue funding subsidies for insurers.