Latest KFF Health News Stories
A selection of public health opinions from around the country.
Different Takes: Examinations And Fact Checks Dive Into What’s In The American Health Care Act
Editorial writers express a range of thoughts — from outrage to disappointment — over the measure approved by the House, and compare what’s in the bill with promises made last fall on the campaign trail.
The Glass-Is-Full Perspectives: Positive Thoughts On The Measure
Some columnists offer a different line of thinking about the American Health Care Act, why it should be viewed as a step forward and how its policy implications should already be playing out.
Editorial pages from around the country take a dim view of the repeal-and-replace measure that just passed the House and is now headed for the Senate.
State Highlights: Deal Averts Catastrophic Colo. Hospital Cuts; Ga. Named Worst State For Nurses
Media outlets report on news from Colorado, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Minnesota, Kansas, Maryland, Illinois, Arizona, Wisconsin, Ohio and California.
‘Gray Death’ Is A Particularly Lethal Opioid Mixture That’s Infiltrating Street Drug Market
“Gray death is one of the scariest combinations that I have ever seen in nearly 20 years of forensic chemistry drug analysis,” says Deneen Kilcrease, manager of the chemistry section at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. In other news, a sales representative for an opioid maker talks about his secret addition. And highway safety officials say that drug-impaired driving is a growing problem.
Trump Administration Will Reevaluate Contraception Mandate
The directive for the Department of Health and Human Services to reexamine that part of the Affordable Care Act came after the president signed an executive order that he says protects religious liberty.
Despite National Focus On House Health Vote, Insurers Fretting Over Next Year’s Coverage
Early signals from insurers suggest premiums will rise and fewer carriers will be operating in some markets.
States Try To Anticipate What Washington’s Plan May Mean For Their Residents
Governors and state health officials in Massachusetts, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Ohio, California, Georgia and Kansas voice concerns about the coverage and cost implications of the House Republican legislation.
No Preexisting Condition? Insured At Work? You’d Still Feel Impact Of New GOP Health Plan.
The legislation passed by the House allows states to determine what essential health benefits insurers must cover, such as maternity care. People with employee-sponsored health care will also lose protections that limit out-of-pocket costs for catastrophic illnesses
The House Just Voted To Relax Protections For Preexisting Conditions. What Does That Mean?
An amendment to add an additional $8 billion to help pay for high-risk pools for any state looking for exemptions to preexisting condition coverage swayed enough lawmakers to secure passage of the legislation, but experts say that not nearly enough money is allocated to fund health care for the sickest Americans.
The Winners: Insurance Companies, Young People And The Rich
The losers, on the other hand, are poor people, older Americans, state governments and hospitals.
As ‘Hot Potato’ Lands In The Senate, Republicans Plan To Write More Palatable Version
“We want to get it right,” Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said on the Senate floor. “There will be no artificial deadlines.” But the GOP’s narrow control of the chamber will complicate efforts to draft a bill.
‘This Is A Scar They Carry’: Health Vote May Haunt Republicans Come Midterms
Democrats started signing “Na na na na, hey, hey, hey, goodbye…” as the legislation passed the House, predicting that it could spell electoral doom for some Republicans who voted to pass the American Health Care Act.
Democrats Blast Newly Passed Plan As ‘Immoral, Reckless And Ideologically Motivated’
Lawmakers did not hold back in criticizing provisions of the American Health Care Act and its passage in the House.
Trump Takes Victory Lap, Praising ‘Really Incredible Health Care Plan’
President Donald Trump hosted lawmakers in a Rose Garden celebration, which are usually reserved for major legislative victories.
With Speakership On The Line, Bruised And Battered Ryan Shoulders Plan Through House
Since the March failure to pass the Republican health plan, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) “was able to weather an extraordinary painful two months, extraordinary painful,” says Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.).
From ‘Coming Up Short’ To Victory: How Republican Leaders Gained The Final Votes
Six weeks ago, House Republicans could not muster enough votes to pass their health bill and pulled it from the floor. What happened to turn that failure around? Behind-the-scenes negotiations focused on amendments that could persuade the right-wing Freedom Caucus to back the legislation. In the end, Republicans wanted to deliver a win for President Donald Trump and on their pledge to repeal Obamacare.
Here’s What’s In The Republicans’ Revised Health Care Bill
Media outlets offer a look at what actually is in the legislation.
Even Backers Call Bill ‘Highly Imperfect’ But See It As A Jumping Off Point
At least one admits to not knowing what’s in the legislation. And most say the plan is flawed. But House Republicans view their vote as a starting position to get Congress going on replacing the Affordable Care Act.
