Capitol Desk

Latest KFF Health News Stories

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Georgia Turns the Senate Blue

KFF Health News Original

Democratic victories in two runoff elections in Georgia will give Democrats control of the Senate starting Jan. 20, which means they will be in charge of both houses of Congress and the White House for the first time since 2010. Meanwhile, covid continues to run rampant while vaccine distribution lags. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News and Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.

‘Pennie’-Pinching States Take Over Obamacare Exchanges From Feds

KFF Health News Original

Pennsylvania and New Jersey are leaving the federal marketplace this fall to save money and will start their own insurance exchanges. Kentucky, New Mexico, Virginia and Maine are looking to join them in 2021 or beyond.

Public Health Officials Are Quitting or Getting Fired in Throes of Pandemic

KFF Health News Original

A review by KHN and the Associated Press finds at least 49 state and local public health leaders have resigned, retired or been fired since April across 23 states. One of the latest departures came Sunday, when California’s public health director was ousted.

California Governor’s Bill-Signing Marathon Offers Glimpse Of 2020 Issues

KFF Health News Original

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed off on an array of health care bills that will significantly affect the lives of Californians, including many college students, pregnant women, schoolchildren and dialysis patients.

Democrats’ Different Takes On Tackling Health Care

KFF Health News Original

KHN reporter Emmarie Huetteman joined Connecticut Public Radio’s Lucy Nalpathanchil on the “Where We Live” program Tuesday to talk about the variety of options that Democratic presidential candidates are proposing for voters.

Lawmakers United Against High Drug Prices Bare Partisan Teeth

KFF Health News Original

Clear differences of opinion emerged between Democrats and Republicans during a House Ways and Means subcommittee hearing about how to make prescription drugs more affordable in the Medicare program.

Cáncer, qué importa. En California, el café sigue siendo el rey

KFF Health News Original

A pesar de la pasión de los californianos por el café, a los vendedores les preocupa que las advertencias sobre el cáncer publicadas en sus puertas no se vean exactamente como señales de bienvenida