Latest KFF Health News Stories
A Different Kind Of Virus To Worry About: Hospitals Try To Shore Up Defenses Against Cyberattacks
Demand for cybersecurity talent in health care has exploded, but it’s not that easy to recruit into the industry.
Special Cells In Small Part Of Brain May Be A Primary Culprit Behind Aging
“This is a really important study … in the field of aging research,” Dr. Shin-Ichiro Imai, professor of developmental biology at Washington University in St. Louis, says of new findings on the role played by the hypothalamus. And today’s other’s public health stories report developments on brain cancer, editing embryo genomes, hospitals’ Yelp reviews, the opioid crisis and tainted water.
Closely Watched Oncology Drugs Fail To Deliver Promising Results
AstraZeneca, which had touted the new approach to cancer treatment, saw its stocks plunge after a disappointing clinical trial.
Conservatives, Angry Over CBO’s Health Law Numbers, Fail In Bid To Slash Agency’s Budget
“Just like you wouldn’t drive a car while blindfolded, you shouldn’t be voting on legislation without knowing what the real costs are, intended or unintended,” Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif., told House colleagues in defending the agency.
Two recent studies seem to contradict the president’s justification for banning transgender people from service.
Trump Bans Transgender People From Military, Citing Medical Costs Among Reasons
The announcement comes just as a storm over whether taxpayer money should pay for gender transition and hormone therapy for transgender service members was brewing on the Hill, threatening to derail a $790 billion defense and security spending package that includes funds for President Trump’s border wall.
Uncertainty In Washington Keeping Insurers, State Commissioners Off Balance
In an industry that relies on predictability the debate in Washington and the ever-looming threat that the president will cut off subsidies have rocked those trying to keep it stable.
Reconciliation Was Never Intended For Policy As Complex As Health Care — And It Shows
Because of the process Republicans are using to roll back health care is tied to how the provisions affect the budget, they have backed themselves somewhat into a corner.
The Democratic senators say they see no point in offering up their proposals if they’re amending what they say is a shell of a health care bill.
Murkowski’s ‘Spine Of Steel’ On Display During Health Care Debate
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has remained an unshakable opponent to Republicans’ health care efforts even after President Donald Trump accused her of letting the party down.
Given The Option To Repeal Obamacare, Senators Balk
The “clean” repeal proposal would have given lawmakers two years to come up with an alternative, but some Republicans found the idea untenable.
Marketplace Will Slide Into Death Spiral Under Skinny Plan, Insurers Warn
Young, healthy people would no longer have an incentive to buy insurance if the individual mandate is scrapped, thus driving costs up for everyone. Meanwhile, KHN offers a look at how “things went badly” when states tried to lift coverage requirements.
‘Political Punt’ Or GOP’s Best Chance: Attention Shifts To Skinny Plan As Other Options Fail
The plan would roll back only a few of the Affordable Care Act’s provisions, but in such a divided Senate, it might be Republicans’ only hope of getting something passed.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Repeal-And-Delay Proposal Fails In Senate, 45-55
As senators continue to debate health care legislation, a “clean” plan to repeal most of the Affordable Care Act in two years, without replacing it, fails to garner enough votes to pass.
Here’s a review of editorials and opinions on a range of public health issues.
Opinion writers offer their takes on health policies that operate as context to the current congressional debate.
How It’s Playing On the Ground: A ‘Farce’ Not A Plan? Scolding A Senator
News outlets beyond the beltway offer their perspectives on the Senate’s replacement for Obamacare and what lawmakers should be doing.
Editorial pages offer mostly harshly words but some positive thoughts on the Senate’s continuing effort to replace the Affordable Care Act.
Perspectives: Too Often In U.S. Profit Comes Before Public Interest
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
