Latest Morning Briefing Stories

How To Get Long-Term Care At Home Without Busting The Bank

KFF Health News Original

The majority of older adults receive long-term care at home and need help covering these services with affordable insurance policies. The long-term  insurance industry needs to focus on home care.

Opioid Treatment Funds In Senate Bill Would Fall Far Short Of Needs

KFF Health News Original

The $45 billion for opioid treatment in the Senate bill sounds like a lot of money, but an advocate estimates it would provide $1,000 to $2,000 per year for each person in Pennsylvania who might need treatment. Meanwhile, one year of methadone treatment for opioid addiction costs about $4,700 per year,

Read Latest CBO Scores Of Senate Replacement Draft Bills

KFF Health News Original

As Senate Republicans continue to revise its health care legislative drafts to try to reach 50 votes, the Congressional Budget Act estimates the impact of those changes.

In Massachusetts, Proposed Medicaid Cuts Put Kids’ Health Care At Risk

KFF Health News Original

Doctors, consumers and politicians say big federal cuts to Medicaid funding would jeopardize the treatment a lot of kids rely on. The state would either have to make up lost funding or cut benefits.

Medical Transportation Provider Accused Of Disserving L.A.’s Frail Patients

KFF Health News Original

LogistiCare often shows up late, if at all, and compromises patient safety, according to a public interest firm’s lawsuit. The company says the allegations are inaccurate.

Senate Health Bill Still Short On ‘Yays’ But Leaders Vow Vote Next Week

KFF Health News Original

At least two Republicans have already said they cannot support the new legislative draft, which means all other GOP senators would have to agree to the bill to pass it.

Transgender Health Care Targeted In Crusade To Undo ACA

KFF Health News Original

HHS Secretary Tom Price and President Donald Trump have vowed to use administrative powers to mitigate the health law rules that created “burdens” or that don’t match up with their agenda.

California Sued For Allegedly Substandard Medi-Cal Care

KFF Health News Original

The lawsuit is a civil rights case on behalf of Latinos, who comprise nearly half of the program’s enrollees. But the advocates who filed it also hope to get class action certification for all Medi-Cal enrollees.

Senators Grill Top Indian Health Officials About Trump Budget

KFF Health News Original

The administration officials could not answer some basic questions from senators, including how much money the agency has gained from the health law’s Medicaid expansion and whether President Donald Trump’s proposed 2018 budget would help the agency hire more staff.

Crippling Medicaid Cuts Could Upend Rural Health Services

KFF Health News Original

Patient advocates say that the Senate Republicans’ proposal to change federal funding for Medicaid could lead to more shutdowns of rural facilities, reduced payments to doctors and fewer programs for people with health needs or disabilities.

Millions Of Kids Fall Outside Senate Plan To Shield Disabled From Medicaid Cuts

KFF Health News Original

The Republican plan to replace Obamacare would reduce federal funding for Medicaid, but senators want to keep current funding levels for children who are blind or have other disabilities. Their proposal, however, would not apply to the majority of those kids.

Half The Time, Nursing Homes Scrutinized On Safety By Medicare Are Still Treacherous

KFF Health News Original

Of the 528 nursing homes that graduated from special focus status before 2014 and are still operating, more than half — 52 percent — have harmed patients or operated in a way that put patients in serious jeopardy within the past three years, a KHN analysis finds.

The Call-In: Answers To Questions About Our Business-Driven Health System

KFF Health News Original

On NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday, KHN’s Elisabeth Rosenthal answers questions about the high cost of U.S. health care, while NPR’s Gisele Grayson addresses how the Senate bill to replace the Affordable Care Act would change the system.