Latest Morning Briefing Stories

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Live From Aspen!

KFF Health News Original

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times report from the Spotlight Health portion of the annual Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado. They’re joined by Democratic Govs. John Hickenlooper of Colorado and Steve Bullock of Montana.

Administration Eases Way For Small Businesses To Buy Insurance In Bulk

KFF Health News Original

The Trump administration issued the final rule on association health plans, which supporters say will make coverage more affordable for some employees but led others to warn about “junk insurance.”

Postcard From D.C. Courthouse: Medicaid Work Requirements And Manafort

KFF Health News Original

Oral arguments are heard in a legal challenge regarding the state of Kentucky’s requirement that adults who gained Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act’s expansion prove that they work or volunteer in order to get health coverage.

Most Texans Want State To Expand Medicaid And Help Poor Get Health Care

KFF Health News Original

Texans think the Legislature should expand Medicaid to more low-income people and make health care more affordable, according to a survey released today from the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Episcopal Health Foundation.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ California Here We Come

KFF Health News Original

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Carrie Feibel of KQED San Francisco, Anna Maria Barry-Jester of FiveThirtyEight.com and Joanne Kenen of Politico report from San Francisco on the complicated health politics of the Golden State and the latest news on a lawsuit challenging parts of the Affordable Care Act. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists offer their favorite health stories of the week.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Health Care Politics, Midterm Edition

KFF Health News Original

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Alice Ollstein of Talking Points Memo, Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal and Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call discuss how Medicare, Medicaid and the fate of the Affordable Care Act are playing out in the politics of the coming midterm elections. Plus, Rovner interviews Matt Eyles, president and CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plans.

HHS To Allow Insurers’ Workaround On 2019 Prices

KFF Health News Original

Many states instituted the technique known as “silver loading” this year after President Donald Trump cut federal payments to insurers. But some conservatives objected because it meant the cost of premium subsides for the federal government went up.

Health Care Simmers On Back Burner In California Heartland’s Hot House Races

KFF Health News Original

After rallies and protests in the San Joaquin Valley congressional districts, the urgency over protecting coverage under the ACA seems to have waned — at least in the primaries. Three of four seats in the region are likely to remain red, political forecasters say.

Health Care Looms Large In Race For California’s Top Cop

KFF Health News Original

Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who has made a name for himself opposing Trump administration policies on health care and other matters, is running against opponents who say they wouldn’t make such resistance their primary focus.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Campaign Promises Kept, Plus ‘Nerd Reports’

KFF Health News Original

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Sarah Kliff of Vox and Alice Ollstein of Talking Points Memo discuss a proposed administration regulation that seeks to separate Planned Parenthood from federal family planning funds, the final congressional passage of legislation aimed at helping those with terminal illnesses obtain experimental medications, and new government reports on the uninsured and federal health spending. Also, Rovner interviews KHN’s Liz Szabo about the May “Bill of the Month.”

Insurer Slashes Breast Pump Payments, Stoking Fears Fewer Moms Will Breastfeed

KFF Health News Original

Anthem, one of the country’s largest insurers, has cut the reimbursement rate it pays for breast pumps by nearly half, fueling concerns that new moms — especially ones with lower incomes — will not be able to afford the pumps they need.