Latest KFF Health News Stories
Lawmakers Reach New Bipartisan Agreement On VA Choice Program After Original Plan Falls Apart
The compromise plan sets aside $2.1 billion over six months to continue funding the Choice program, and would also devote $1.8 billion to authorize 28 leases for new VA medical facilities and establish programs to make it easier to hire health specialists. Meanwhile, the House passed a spending bill that includes funding for the VA.
Insurers Heave Sigh Of Relief As ‘Skinny Plan’ Crumbles, But Worry Over Future Remains
They say Congress’ attention must shift toward stabilizing the marketplace for 2018.
‘For Us This Is Not A Game’: Americans Have Whiplash From Watching Health Debate Play Out
“For months it’s been: ‘Here’s a bill, we’ll vote. No, we won’t. Now it will change. Maybe not. Will that one person vote or not?’” says Meghan Borland from Pleasant Valley, N.Y. The concern over the uncertainty on health care coverage is rippling across the country.
Not Even McConnell’s Legendary Political Skills Could Unite Fractured Party
After the “no” vote by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) stood still and silent on the Senate floor as the ramifications of what had just transpired sunk in.
‘It’s Time To Move On’: A Look At What’s Next After GOP’s Health Care Defeat
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) seemed to admit defeat in passing a Republican-only health proposal after his shocking defeat in shepherding legislation through the chamber.
Backlash Toward Female Senators Blocking Bills Turns Heated
More than one lawmaker suggested physical reprimands for any of the senators who stood in the way of the bill passing, namely Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine.
McCain’s Maverick Moment Caps Off Hill’s Dramatic Health Care Battle
When Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) swooped back into town after being diagnosed with brain cancer, he was hailed as “an American hero” by the president. With a simple thumbs down vote in the early hours of Friday morning, though, he went against his party and helped kill Republicans’ chance to fulfill seven years of promises. Media outlets look at what went down on Capitol Hill.
McCain Rejects ‘Skinny Plan’ And Helps Derail GOP’s Repeal Efforts In Stunning Late-Night Vote
The so-called “skinny plan” kept most of the Affordable Care Act in place, only rolling back some provisions that were unpopular with Republicans. But experts warned it would send premiums skyrocketing and bring about the collapse of the individual market.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Patients Should Know If A Doctor Is On Probation; Keep FDA’s Powers Strong
Here’s a review of editorials and opinions on a range of public health issues.
When Policies Get Thin: Critiques On The Senate GOP’s Next Big Idea — A ‘Skinny” Repeal
Opinion writers offer strong warnings about the problems with the skinny repeal — both in terms of using it as a strategy to advance Republican health reforms and as a policy construct that threatens to damage the individual health insurance market. One voice, however, sees it as the GOP’s chance to eliminate the despised individual mandate.
Editorial pages across the country include a variety of thoughts on what is happening in Washington to the Affordable Care Act.
Longer Looks: Immigrants And Obamacare; Surprise ER Bills & Canada’s ‘Killer Nurse’
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Media outlets report on news from Texas, Massachusetts, California, Maryland and Florida.
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.
