Latest KFF Health News Stories
GOP Lawmakers Expect Retreat With Trump Will Provide Clearer Picture On Health Law
House and Senate Republicans head to Philadelphia on Wednesday to meet with the president. Although they caution that no one should be waiting for a comprehensive bill to come from the conference, they hope to get a better sense of where the administration stands. Meanwhile, House committees are starting to schedule hearings on repeal and replace, an outside group launches a $2.6 million ad campaign against the health law, and The New York Times offers a closer look at Republican senators’ plans to let states keep the parts of the Affordable Care Act that they like.
Veterans, Overtaxed VA To Be Hit Hard By Government Hiring Freeze And Obamacare Changes
The Trump White House confirmed that its order to halt hiring new federal employees applies to the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Price Avoids Being Pinned Down On Details During Grilling At Second Senate Hearing
Despite Democrats pressing HHS nominee Tom Price on the future of the health law, Medicare and Medicaid, Price mostly demurred and downplayed the role he will have in such decisions. Ethical questions regarding the Georgia congressman’s stock investments were also raised.
First Edition: January 25, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives On Health Overhaul: Senators Seek Compromise; Risk Pools Need Updates
Opinion writers examine the many facets of Republicans’ move to uproot the federal health law.
Viewpoints: Price’s Mission On Medicare; Judge Offers View Of Aetna’s Move Out Of Exchanges
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Outlets report on news from Kansas, California, Iowa, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Texas.
‘Vet Shopping’ Underscores Desperation At Heart Of America’s Opioid Epidemic
Owners are injuring their pets, and then taking them to different veterinarians to get opioids. Meanwhile, researchers are trying to understand why rural communities have been hit so hard by the crisis.
Despite Fears Of Memory Disorders, Early Diagnosis Of Dementia Helps Patients
Other public health stories today cover developments related to Alzheimer’s, autism, sleep apnea, superbugs, aging and carbs in the diet.
Pharma Looks To Flip The Script With Multi-Million Dollar Ad Campaign
The industry is going hard on offense in an attempt to combat its negative image over pricing. The ad campaign will focus on research and development, but lawmakers, policy officials and health leaders have already criticized it as avoiding the real issues.
Fissures Developing Between White House And Congress On Medicaid Plans
Although President Donald Trump agrees with congressional Republicans about giving states much more control of Medicaid, he has also said he wants to continue coverage for the millions who became eligible under the Medicaid expansion sponsored by the federal health law. GOP members of Congress instead want changes to cut spending. News outlets also look at Medicaid changes Iowa put in place and controversies over the Kansas program.
Judge Nixes Aetna-Humana Mega-Merger Over Competitive Concerns
The deal, along with a separate merger between Anthem and Cigna, would have consolidated the nation’s five largest insurers into three.
Trump Cuts Off Aid To Foreign Health Providers Who Discuss Abortion As Family-Planning Option
The ban, known as the “Mexico City policy,” has been lifted and reinstated since it was first implemented by Ronald Reagan each time there’s a party turnover of the White House. Meanwhile, a rule permanently banning federal funding for abortions is moving through the House.
Political, Practical Barriers Prevent Dismemberment, But Trump Can Cut Off Slices Of ACA
There are four areas the president can take action on: the insurance mandate, the subsidy lawsuit, birth control coverage and state funding. Meanwhile, officials say the executive order on the health law has thrown a “curveball” into the open enrollment period, and fund managers are betting that there won’t be much change in the marketplace despite congressional promises of repeal.
A Lesson From Kentucky: It May Be Hard To Get Rid Of Obamacare, But You Can Rebrand It
Gov. Matt Bevin swept into office on promises that he would kill Obamacare in Kentucky. But one in three residents were on Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act. So he simply tweaked it instead. Meanwhile, CNN goes to the county that leads the nation in health law enrollees, and finds a population that wants it gone without a trace.
GOP Senators’ Replace Plan Gives Power To States: ‘You Love Obamacare, You Can Keep It’
Sens. Susan Collins and Bill Cassidy — two lawmakers who have been adamant that there must be a replacement plan soon after the law is repealed — introduced their version on Monday. It was quickly dismissed as an “empty facade” by the Senate’s top Democrat, Chuck Schumer.
CDC Cancels Major Climate Change Conference With No Explanation
The event was intended to bring together health officials to discuss the risks humans face due to the changing climate. The agency says it is exploring whether the conference can be rescheduled. In other developments from the new Trump administration, biotech billionaire Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong is being considered for a role like “health care czar.”
Price’s Second Senate Hearing Comes Amid Increasing Scrutiny Over Stocks, Contributors
Questions are expected to focus on the future of the health law as well as the congressman’s past industry dealings. Ethics experts have said that HHS nominee Tom Price has shown “an extraordinary lack of good judgment” when it comes to his campaign and legislative actions.
First Edition: January 24, 2017
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: GOP Con On Obamacare; Repeal Health Law And Return Taxes To People
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
