Latest Morning Briefing Stories

Trump On ‘Medicare for All’ And The Costs Of Extending Health Care To Undocumented Immigrants 

KFF Health News Original

In his Feb. 4 State of the Union address, President Donald Trump said the cost of extending health care to people regardless of their citizenship status would “bankrupt” the U.S.

As VA Tests Keto Diet To Help Diabetic Patients, Skeptics Raise Red Flags

KFF Health News Original

The Department of Veterans Affairs is partnering with Virta Health, a California startup that offers remote coaching and monitoring for people with Type 2 diabetes to help them follow the ultra-low carbohydrate diet.

Public Health Officials Offer Scant Details On U.S. Coronavirus Patients

KFF Health News Original

To date, the U.S. has multiple confirmed cases of the viral infection that originated in Wuhan, China. That includes cases in which the virus passed from person to person within this country. So why don’t health officials share more information with the public?

No enmascares la mejor forma de evitar el aterrador coronavirus: lávate las manos

KFF Health News Original

La editora de KHN cubrió para The New York Times el brote de SARS en China. Y sabe de primera mano lo que funcionó entonces, y lo que funcionaría ahora para prevenir al coronavirus.

Masks Reveal Cultural Disconnect As L.A.’s Chinese Community Braces For Coronavirus

KFF Health News Original

Since two cases of the mysterious new coronavirus were reported in Southern California, Chinese immigrants have begun donning face masks. The practice is common in China but goes against official guidance in the U.S., and that’s causing conflict in local schools.

KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Remaking Medicaid — Maybe

KFF Health News Original

The Trump administration is proposing to let states have more control of their Medicaid programs in exchange for potentially less money from the federal government. Meanwhile, the dangerous respiratory virus spreading from China is starting to affect trade and transportation along with public health. Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner, Erin Mershon of Stat and Joanne Kenen of Politico join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more.

Bike Fatalities Are On The Rise

KFF Health News Original

More than 450 cyclists died in traffic accidents in California from 2016 through 2018, marking the highest three-year death rate in 25 years. Among the factors at play: more cars on roads, distracted driving and a pronounced consumer shift toward SUVs.

Response To Nation’s 1st Coronavirus Case Draws On Lessons From Measles Outbreak

KFF Health News Original

When the first confirmed U.S. patient was pinpointed in Washington state, health clinic workers there weren’t rattled. They were prepped by new statewide protocols on contagion containment, in the wake of last year’s measles scare.

Bloomberg y atención médica: traducir su historial como alcalde a nivel nacional

KFF Health News Original

¿Qué puede decirnos el récord de Michael Bloomberg durante su período como alcalde de Nueva York sobre cómo podría abordar la atención médica desde la Casa Blanca?

Bloomberg On Health Care: Translating His Mayoral Record To The National Stage

KFF Health News Original

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg uses health care as a key message in his Democratic presidential primary run. Now that he will be taking the stage in the Feb. 19 debate, the message could take on even more prominence.

KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: SCOTUS Punts On ACA Case — For Now

KFF Health News Original

The Supreme Court said it won’t hear an expedited case that threatens to overturn the Affordable Care Act. That means the future of the ACA will continue to be a top political issue through the November election. Meanwhile, a major doctors’ group endorses “Medicare for All.” Sort of. And both sides in the abortion debate mark the 47th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v. Wade ruling. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico and Caitlin Owens of Axios join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Also, for extra credit, the panelists suggest their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.