Latest KFF Health News Stories
News outlets offer a variety of tales from the dark side as they level their complaints and criticisms against the House-passed American Health Care Act.
Research Roundup: Access To Care Under ACA; Collaboration On Drug Development
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Media outlets report on news from California, Tennessee, Maryland, Massachusetts, Georgia, Colorado, Washington, Ohio and Florida.
Also making public health news: loneliness in seniors; Zika testing guidelines for women; school officials’ concerns over “suicide tapes”; baby monitor dangers; one-two punch of substance abuse and mental health issues; and more.
$145K-A-Year Drug For ALS Approved By FDA
It’s only the second drug available to treat the disease.
Though Trump Has Racked Up Victories For Anti-Abortion Activists, Some Say It’s Not Enough
Planned Parenthood was targeted in the House’s version of repeal-and-replace, but its uncertain fate in the Senate has some advocates worried they’ll lose ground on the defunding issue.
Despite Promises To Curb Opioid Crisis, Trump Proposes Slashing Drug Office Funds By 95%
The proposal was rebuked by Republicans and Democrats as a potentially reckless move.
Senate Expected To Begin Debate Soon On Gottlieb’s Nomination To Head FDA
The Senate has scheduled a vote tonight to start the debate on Gottlieb, who has been criticized for being too close to the drug industry. Also in the news, the Food and Drug Administration wants to review Obama administration rules on health warnings for e-cigarettes.
Billionaire Warren Buffett Says GOP’s Health Plan ‘A Huge Tax Cut For Guys Like Me’
The world’s fourth-richest man also said if the House-passed legislation becomes law, health care costs will “go up a lot more.”
Children’s Health Insurance Program May Be New Victim Of Turmoil From House Bill
Funding for the popular coverage for children ends in September but it’s not clear how Democrats or Republicans want to proceed with the contentious health law replacement bill in play. News outlets also look at changes states might make to Medicaid if the Republican health alternative becomes law as well as the steps state might take if it doesn’t.
Health Care Job Boom Helped Revive Economy, But GOP Plan Could Put That Growth In Danger
In some areas, health care accounts for one-fifth of all employment, and drastic changes to its landscape could dramatically affect the nation’s economy. Media outlets also offer looks at what else is in the new health care legislation and how it will affect people across the country.
Obama: It Requires Courage To Champion The Vulnerable And The Sick
While accepting the John F. Kennedy “Profile in Courage” Award, former President Barack Obama says he hopes members of Congress, while moving forward in their efforts to repeal and replace the health law, will remember it takes political courage to protect those who have no access to power to protect themselves.
Rumors And Rhetoric Run Rampant After Vote, But What’s The Truth?
Media outlets fact check the various claims, rumors and information that’s swirling around the House’s passage of the American Health Care Act.
As GOP Touts High-Risk Insurance Pools, States’ Earlier Experiences Scrutinized
Many states used these pools to help insure people with preexisting conditions before the federal health law. News outlets examine how they worked in Maryland and Colorado, plus Ohio Gov. John Kasich casts doubt on whether the House health plan provides enough money for the high-risk pools.
Democrats Pounce On Republicans’ Politically Volatile Vote Hoping For Repeat Of 2010, In Reverse
After passing the Affordable Care Act, Democrats lost 63 seats and their majority in the House. With Republicans’ latest vote, they hope the tables will turn in 2018.
Ryan Dismisses Criticism Of Health Plan As ‘Bogus Attack From Left’
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) touted the successful passage of the American Health Care Act in the House as lawmakers “keeping our promises” to constituents.
Trump Urges Senate Not To ‘Let The American People Down’
President Donald Trump, following the House’s passage of the American Health Care Act, is pressing the Senate to act quickly on the issue. Meanwhile, he and administration aides and officials are continuing to push the message that the health law’s marketplaces are collapsing in an effort to garner support for repeal.
House Republicans last week celebrated narrowly passing their health care plan, but lawmakers in the Senate say that version of the legislation has “zero” chance of passing their chamber.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.