Latest KFF Health News Stories
Longer Looks: The GOP Health Proposal, A ‘Soap Opera Virus,’ And The Psychological Impact Of Bigotry
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Medicare Could Go Broke Due To Mounting Costs Of Alzheimer’s Care, Report Says
Caregiving for patients with the degenerative brain disease has already cost the federal program $259 billion. And in other public health news, research links the Zika virus to heart problems. And health officials confirm that a highly contagious form of bird flu was found at a Tennessee chicken farm.
U.S. Hospitals Routinely Toss Out Valuable Medical Supplies
In its investigation of why health care costs are so high, ProPublica reports on the perfectly good stuff hospitals and medical personnel throw away. In other marketplace news, Stat writes about how changes to the work visa program could impact the medical industry while KHN looks into insurers steering beneficiaries to “preferred” pharmacies.
Viewpoints: GOP Fight With ‘Trumpian Core’; Health Bill’s Taxes Intent; CBO Could Be Wrong
A selection of opinions on health care from across the country.
Research Roundup: Getting Care Under Medicaid; Diabetes Prevention; Fewer Elective Deliveries
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Outlets report on news from Iowa, Texas, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Connecticut, Massachusetts, California and Florida.
Seema Verma’s CMS Confirmation Vote Expected Monday
Senators advanced her nomination to be administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services with a 54-44 vote to cut off further debate.
Trump Employs ‘Salesman Tactics’ To Line Up Hill Support For Health Law Replacement
But some of these efforts, including his signals of willingness to make changes in the measure, are causing unrest within the Republican caucus. Meanwhile, the White House is working to marshall conservative grassroots action to encourage members to follow the party line. And what about the name, “Trumpcare?” Will it stick? Finally, the White House continues to cast doubt on the value of the yet-to-be released Congressional Budget Office cost and coverage estimates of the American Health Care Act.
A few comments made by lawmakers during debate of the GOP health bill make waves, while many Republicans in California’s congressional delegation keep mum about the plan.
Gov. Inslee Wants Analysis Of How Republican Plan Would Impact Washington State
In other news on the state-level impact of the Obamacare replacement proposal, some in California worry changes could hurt one of the nation’s healthiest marketplaces.
From Addiction Treatment To Hospital Finances, Stakeholders Nervous About GOP Bill’s Effects
As industry, patients and advocates begin to dig into the details of the Republican legislation, concerns grow about its impact on a wide array of services.
Senate Republicans Eye Changing The House Health Law Replacement Bill
And Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) introduces an alternative repeal bill identical to one that passed the Senate in 2015 by a party-line vote.
House Vote Counter Says ‘We’re Gonna Get This Done’ But Many Obstacles Remain For Health Bill
New outlets also highlight some of the key House players to watch as the effort moves forward and explain how the GOP’s legislative strategy will unfold.
White House Reportedly Signals To Conservatives That It Could Support Faster Rollback Of Medicaid
Trump administration officials tell CNN that they are willing to accept Republican conservatives’ efforts to amend the House health bill to end the Medicaid expansion earlier than the legislation currently seeks.
Conservative Pushback On GOP Health Plan May Put Repeal Vision At Risk
Among the key complaints, according to The Wall Street Journal, are that the tax credits are too broad and amount to a new government entitlement and spending limits on the Accountable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion are phased in too slowly. The message from this part of the GOP is that the current House blueprint does not go far enough.
In Marathon Sessions, GOP Health Plan Gets The Nod Of Two House Committees
Talk got tough as Democrats struggled to slow the measure’s progress. But, ultimately, both the House Ways and Means and the Energy and Commerce committees approved the American Health Care Act along party-line votes.
Paul Ryan Rolls Up His Sleeves And Makes ‘Hard Pitch’ For The American Health Care Act
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) used his regular Thursday press conference to offer a power point presentation — complete with charts and graphs — to defend the GOP House bill to replace the health law.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Drug Shortages Prompt Plans For Execution Binge In Ark.; Match Day Games
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Perspectives On GOP Health Bill: ‘Laying A Strong Foundation’; Need For Compromise; A Debacle
Opinion writers across the country pick apart the health care debate that is roaring on Capitol Hill.
