Latest KFF Health News Stories
As Health Law Debate Shifts From Theoretical To Tangible, Opponents No Longer Have Loudest Voices
Now that the spotlight is off of the president who created the law, the focus is on the care it provides. The shouts for repeal have quieted as those clamoring for answers about their coverage flood the space. Meanwhile, despite his vocal criticism of the Affordable Care Act, Mike Pence, while governor of Indiana, turned to it when his state was in a crisis.
Trump Promises Health Plan Will Be Coming ‘In A Couple Of Weeks’
“Just so you understand, our plan will be much better health care at a much lower cost,” President Donald Trump said. “OK? Nothing to complain about.” Meanwhile, Tuesday is the deadline for the Trump administration to decide the actions it will take on controversial insurer bailouts.
Lawmakers, Headed Home For Recess, Braced To Face ‘Dam-Bursting Levels’ Of Activism
Constituents are gearing up to flood town halls with questions about Republicans’ plans on health care.
Don’t Expect Any ‘Bipartisan Kumbaya Moments’ When It Comes To Repeal, McConnell Says
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he does not expect any cooperation from Democrats as Congress works toward dismantling and replacing the health law. Meanwhile, The Associated Press breaks down what’s in the Republicans’ plans, and the intra-party divide on the right continues to grow.
First Edition: February 21, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: Medicaid Block Grants; Job Loss And The ACA; Growing HIV Coverage
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Outlets report on news from Georgia, Connecticut, Minnesota, Kansas, Texas, Massachusetts, Florida, Washington, Arizona, Wisconsin, Ohio and Louisiana.
U.S. Urged China To Crack Down On Synthetic Opioids Killing Hundreds Here
China is believed to be a major source for bootleg opioids, including the potent carfentanil, that are brought into the U.S. and contribute to the painkiller epidemic. In related news on the crisis, Georgia lawmakers consider regulations for opioid treatment centers.
Fla. Law Barring Docs From Discussing Guns With Patients Violates Free Speech, Court Rules
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 10-1 ruling, said, “Florida does not have carte blanche to restrict the speech of doctors and medical professionals on a certain subject.”
Mediocre Protection Rates Have Many Asking When We’ll Get A Better Flu Vaccine
Though it was no worse than previous ones, the fact that this year’s shot only cut the chance of infection in half highlights the need for a more effective vaccination.
Exclusive CRISPR Licenses ‘Bottleneck’ Innovation, Legal Experts Argue
Licensing deals cut by UC Berkeley and Massachusetts’ Broad Institute may be limiting the potentially lie-saving applications of this gene-editing technology, according to assertions made by intellectual property experts in Friday’s issue of the journal Science.
Kansas Committee Expected To Take First Vote On Medicaid Expansion Today
The issue has been swatted down repeatedly since the health law went into effect, but after moderates ousted several conservatives in last fall’s elections, a legislative panel is scheduled to vote on a measure today. The committee’s chairman, Rep. Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, says it will be close. News outlets also report on Medicaid developments in Ohio, Alabama and California.
Lawsuit Alleges United Healthcare Overcharged Medicare For Advantage Plan Customers
The lawsuit, which was unsealed Thursday after a five-year investigation by the Department of Justice, suggests the company may have improperly collected “hundreds of millions” of dollars by claiming patients were sicker than they actually were.
Lawmakers Move To Ease Obama-Era E-Cigarette Regulations
A proposal by Republican Reps. Tom Cole of Oklahoma and Sanford Bishop of Georgia would get rid of a “grandfather” clause that requires companies selling cigars, pipe tobacco, and vapor products such as e-cigarettes after Feb. 15, 2007 to disclose their ingredients and prove that their products meet the applicable public health standards set by the law.
House Votes To Roll Back Obama’s Ban On States Defunding Planned Parenthood
Democrats are calling the move a “backdoor attempt to restrict access” to abortion.
CMS Nominee Avoids Getting Pinned Down On Specifics About Medicaid, Drug Prices
During her confirmation hearing, lawmakers also grilled health care consultant and CMS nominee Seema Verma over her potential conflicts of interest.
Republicans’ Answer To Covering The Sickest Of The Sick: High-Risk Pools
The cost of caring for people with chronic, serious health conditions is immense and how to pay for it has plagued both parties for years. Republicans are touting high-risk pools as a way to do it, but past attempts have not proven successful. Meanwhile, Vox reporter Sarah Kliff talks about where everything stands after this week’s general upheaval.
GOP Leadership Presents ‘Smorgasbord’ Of Repeal Options, But Few Concrete Details
House Speaker Paul Ryan met with rank-and-file Republicans to review a plan to dismantle and replace the health law on Thursday. Ryan told reporters leadership will introduce the legislation after the House’s upcoming recess.
First Edition: February 17, 2017
NOTE TO READERS: KHN’s First Edition will not be published Feb. 20. Look for it again in your inbox Feb. 21. Here’s today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
