Latest Morning Briefing Stories

Congressional Candidates Go Head-To-Head On Health Care — Again

KFF Health News Original

The California Democratic members of Congress who flipped seven Republican seats two years ago made health care a major campaign issue, criticizing their opponents for voting to repeal the Affordable Care Act. As the Democrats defend their seats in this year’s elections, they are coming back to health care — but the issues are different.

Surge In Enrollment As Californians Avoid Penalty, Receive State Aid

KFF Health News Original

Although a new state tax penalty and state financial aid motivated people to sign up for health insurance this year, Covered California is reopening enrollment for those who said they weren’t aware of them.

Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes

KFF Health News Original

Happy Friday! In news that is technically really good and exciting but is also kind of icky: yarn made from human skin could eventually be used to stitch up surgical wounds as a way to cut down on detrimental reactions from patients. As CNN reports, “The researchers say their ‘human textile,’ which they developed from […]

Women Shouldn’t Get A Bill For An IUD … But Sometimes They Do

KFF Health News Original

The Affordable Care Act requires that insurers cover birth control with no out-of-pocket costs, but the enforcement mechanism is weak and a pending court case could add further complications.

KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Fact-Checking President Trump’s State Of The Union

KFF Health News Original

President Donald Trump spent a good deal of time on health issues in his State of the Union address, but not everything he said checks out. Meanwhile, Iowa Democrats heading into the caucuses said health is their top issue, but it’s hard to see how that played out in their actual choices. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Also, Rovner interviews KHN’s Julie Appleby and NPR’s Selena Simmons-Duffin about the latest “Bill of the Month” feature.

To Boost Bottom Lines, Single-Payer May Be Just What These Restaurateurs Ordered

KFF Health News Original

Small-business owners, frustrated by the byzantine health system, are warming to the idea of a “Medicare for All,” government-run system, even if it increases their taxes. But they have questions.

5 Things To Know About Trump’s Medicaid Block Grant Plan

KFF Health News Original

Federal officials unveiled guidance for states that want to opt out of some of the current funding program and instead seek a fixed payment to gain more flexibility.

Trump’s Latest Health Care Challenge: Gaining Voters’ Trust

KFF Health News Original

The president, who has repeatedly pledged to improve health care and lower prescription drug prices, faces disapproval from a majority of Americans on his policies regarding drug costs, protecting people with preexisting conditions and the Affordable Care Act.

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.