Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health Groups Join Opposition To Repeal-And-Replace Efforts
“This proposal would erode key protections for patients and consumers and does nothing to stabilize the insurance market now or in the long term,” said Rick Pollack, the American Hospital Association’s president and CEO.
Democrats Try To Rally As They’re Criticized For Having Celebrated Too Soon
Between the debt deal cut with President Donald Trump and the single-payer proposal by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) — which Sen. Lindsey Graham says is “a gift from the political gods” — some people are starting to wonder if the Democrats got ahead of themselves. Meanwhile, lawmakers are trying to get their base motivated one more time to stave off the latest round of repeal-and-replace efforts.
‘You Pass It There, We’ll Pass It Here’: Ryan Promises To Shepherd Graham-Cassidy Bill Through House
Despite having passed their version with just a single vote to spare, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Republican House leaders are optimistic that if the bill gets to them, they’ll get members to fall in line.
Because of the way Medicaid would be restructured, the states that embraced expansion will face the largest cuts. Most of the states that did not expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act would see an increase in federal funding.
What Would New Bill Do? Get Rid Of Subsidies, Drastically Alter Medicaid And More
Media outlets take a look at what’s being proposed — including a major rethinking of federal health care funding — in the Graham-Cassidy bill.
Republicans Press Forward With Repeal Efforts Despite Governors’ Plea To Reject Measure
A group of bipartisan governors urges Congress to reject the last-ditch repeal-and-replace effort coming from Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), but lawmakers are charging forward. It’s still unclear if they have the votes, but Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) says she’s considering the bill, touting the flexibility it gives to states.
First Edition: September 20, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Medicaid Meanderings: Thoughts On Privatization, Expansion And Attending To The Program
Kansas’ Medicaid program offers a lens through which one can view various aspects of the ongoing debate over revamping this state-federal program.
Single-Payer Perspectives: ‘A Growing Moment’ Or ‘No Miracle Cure’
Opinion writers offer a variety of thoughts on single-payer health care systems in general and the current proposal put forth by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in specific.
Different Takes: A Repeal-Replace Redux?; Time To Take Graham-Cassidy’s ‘Zombie’ Bill Seriously
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.
Media outlets report on news from California, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon, Maryland, Iowa and New Hampshire.
Western States Have Disproportionately High Suicide Rates For Veterans
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.
In Blow To GSK, Judge Upholds Verdict In Case Over Paxil’s Link To Suicide
The federal court jury decided GlaxoSmithKline failed to properly warn about the risk of its medicine.
Global Health Progress Has Been Made, But U.S. Aid Cuts Could Be Lethal To Millions
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
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
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
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
“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.
There Are Now Three Senate Health Care Plans Pitted Against Each Other
News outlets take a deeper look at the Graham-Cassidy bill, the market stabilization efforts and the Democrats’ single-payer proposal.
