Latest KFF Health News Stories
Seema Verma’s ‘Street Credibility’ Helps As She Lobbies Senate For Obamacare Replacement
Verma is the new head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and a close ally of Vice President Mike Pence after helping him revamp Indiana’s Medicaid program. She is frequently on Capitol Hill to meet with wavering lawmakers. News outlets also look at Medicaid provisions in the Senate legislation and the effects on states.
What Trump Can Do To Torch Obamacare Even If Congress Fails To Act
The administration has already slashed advertising dollars, cut the enrollment window in half, and regularly pumps out anti-Obamacare videos and graphics — actions sure to reduce the number of people who sign up. And that’s just the start of what officials can do.
Without Including Cruz Amendment, CBO Report Paints Incomplete Picture Of Plan’s Impact
The numbers projected by the Congressional Budget Office — such as that 22 million Americans will lose coverage under the plan — haven’t changed much since June. But many say that without including the amendment that would allow insurers to sell cheaper plans, it doesn’t capture the full effects of the legislation.
With McCain’s Absence, McConnell Has One Less Vote To Spare But He’s Charging Ahead Anyway
Leadership is pushing for a vote on some form of health care legislation next Tuesday. Meanwhile, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who was just diagnosed with brain cancer, tells his sparring partners on the Hill that he won’t be gone for long.
For Republicans, Knowing The Plan They’ll Be Voting On Is A ‘Luxury We Don’t Have’
Confusion reigns supreme on Capitol Hill as leadership continues to push for a vote next week.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: The Logistics Of Overlapping Surgeries; ‘A World Without Antibiotics’
Opinion writers offer their thoughts on a range of public health issues.
Opinion writers examine how repealing Obamacare would play out in their states and towns.
Different Takes: A Win For Obamacare?; Women Senators Flex Muscles In Health Care Debate
Editorial writers offer a range of views on how the push to replace the Affordable Care Act reached its current state of collapse and what it means going forward.
Longer Looks: Reproductive Rights; Presidents And Health Care; And Limits Of Human Compassion
Each week, KHN finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets offer coverage out of New York, Kentucky, California, Texas, Ohio, Wisconsin and Florida.
Debate Flares Over Governor’s Drug Monitoring Program In Missouri
Gov. Eric Greitens’ order to create a registry in Missouri — the last state to have one — does not allow doctors to see if a patient has already been prescribed an opioid. Some lawmakers say more legislative action is needed. In other news on the national drug epidemic, Ohio’s board on workers’ compensation wants fewer opioids prescribed for back pain. And a Kansas City doctor is under investigation for prescriber kickbacks and insurer fraud.
Public Health Roundup: Helping Police Cope With Trauma; The National Shortage Of OB-GYN Docs
And other public health stories from today’s news cover depression, obesity and substance abuse driving up death rates, weight loss, AIDS and the world’s youngest double hand-transplant recipient.
Will Comprehensive Health, Lifestyle Choices Help Stave Off Dementia? Scientists Want To Find Out
A $20 million study will try to figure out if “life hacks” — like more exercise — can have an effect on protecting from dementia.
VA Secretary Orders Top-To-Bottom Review On VA Hospital Despite Positive Internal Investigation
“While these issues are new to me, I am truly disappointed that local management kept these issues from us,” said Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, following a Boston Globe piece detailing problems at the Manchester Veterans Affairs Medical Center in New Hampshire.
Budget Plan That Lays Groundwork For Tax Reform Includes Deep Safety-Net Cuts
The House Budget Committee voted for a plan that would slash $5.4 trillion over the coming decade, including almost $500 billion from Medicare and $1.5 trillion from Medicaid.
White House Says Insurers Will Be Paid For Key Subsidies This Month
Republicans have objected to the health law’s cost-sharing reduction payments, saying Congress did not approve the money. But supporters of the health law say they are vital to the insurance marketplaces. News outlets also take stock of other developments in the insurance markets.
McCain Diagnosed With Aggressive Type Of Brain Cancer
Sen. John McCain’s extended absence leaves Republicans with only 51 votes as they try to pass significant health care and tax legislation.
‘The Ultimate Political Betrayal’: Conservatives Lash Out At ‘Traitors’ In The Party
There’s lots of blame to go around after the GOP’s health legislation fell apart.
House Freedom Caucus Pushes For Repeal-Only Vote To Keep Pressure On Leadership
It’s unlikely legislation would get far, but if the group garners enough signatures to trigger the floor vote, it would force many mainstream and moderate Republican lawmakers into the uncomfortable position of rejecting a repeal measure they backed just two years ago.
