The New York Times: G.O.P. Scrambles As A Crucial Voice Shuns The Latest Health Bill
Representative Fred Upton of Michigan was only the latest Republican defector, but he carries more sway than most. The former chairman of one of the House committees that drafted the American Health Care Act, as the Republicans call their measure, Mr. Upton said the latest version of the health care bill “torpedoes” protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions. (Kaplan and Pear, 5/2)

The Associated Press: A Way Forward On Health Care Bill? Key GOP Rep Has $8B Plan
Top House Republicans scrambling to prevent another collapse of their push to repeal much of the Obama health care law may have found a way to win over some moderate GOP holdouts. Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., an influential centrist who'd initially announced opposition to his party's health care bill, said he's crafting an amendment with the backing of party leaders that could gain crucial support for the languishing measure. (Fram, 5/3)

The Wall Street Journal: GOP’s Health-Bill Woes Show New Power Of Party’s Centrist Wing
Mr. Upton’s opposition expanded political cover for centrists to oppose the bill, including some facing tough re-election battles in swing districts. In recent years, many of these lawmakers have complained that House leaders were catering too much to the party’s conservative faction. The show of defiance suggested that GOP leaders may not be able to count on the cooperation of their centrist flank on upcoming bills that could prove just as thorny as the health measure, including the president’s plan to overhaul the tax code. (Peterson and Armour, 5/2)

The Washington Post: Preexisting Conditions: How ACA Coverage Would Change Under The House GOP Plan
In an impassioned monologue, late-night TV show host Jimmy Kimmel talked Monday about how Congress might change insurance rules for individuals with preexisting medical conditions, like his newborn son. The boy was born 10 days ago with a heart defect. Here’s the difference between provisions of the Affordable Care Act and what House Republicans propose to do. (Eilperin, 5/2)

The Wall Street Journal: Jimmy Kimmel’s Tearful Monologue On Son’s Heart Condition Roils Health Debate
Former President Barack Obama, 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer have said Mr. Kimmel’s story shows the ACA and its protections for people with pre-existing conditions should be preserved. Republicans have argued their current bill would maintain such protections and that critics are portraying it in an inaccurate negative light. Former Republican Rep. Joe Walsh, who is now a conservative talk radio host, on Tuesday wrote on Twitter: “Got a big problem with ‘we need gov-run healthcare cuz of my sad story.’” (Hackman, 5/2)

Politico: No Good GOP Options If Obamacare Repeal Fails
If their latest Obamacare repeal efforts fail, Republicans really have only a few options. And each means political peril for President Donald Trump and Republican congressional leaders. (Cancryn and Demko, 5/3)

Meanwhile —

The Wall Street Journal: Aetna To Pull Back Further From Health Exchanges
Aetna Inc. will again scale back its presence in the Affordable Care Act exchanges in 2018, saying it expects losses on the business this year despite sharply reduced enrollment in its individual plans. (Wilde Mathews and Moise, 5/2)

The Hill: Issa: ObamaCare Repeal Position 'None Of Your Business' 
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) refused to share his position on the House GOP’s revised healthcare bill in a tense exchange on Tuesday. As Issa waited for an elevator to leave the House floor, reporters asked Issa what his position is on the GOP’s latest healthcare proposal. “None of your business,” Issa replied tersely. (Marcos, 5/2)

The San Diego Union-Tribune: Issa Tells Reporters His Position On Health Care Is 'None Of Your Business' 
Rep. Darrell Issa says he is still examining the House Republican health care bill and has not taken a position on it yet. His staff added that’s what he’s been saying in recent days. But it was his blunt response Tuesday to a question about where he stood while waiting for an elevator to leave the House floor that became a buzz on social media and resulted in an article in The Hill, a political publication that focuses on Congress.“None of your business,” Issa told reporters inquiring about how he intended to vote, according to The Hill’s Cristina Marcos. (Smolens, 5/2)

Meanwhile —

Los Angeles Times: California's House Republicans Are Crucial To This Week's Healthcare Push. Here's Where They Stand
House Republican leaders are working feverishly to find a few members to support a bill to roll back the Affordable Care Act, and they could use some help from some in California’s GOP delegation who haven't taken a position on it. News outlets that have polled the entire GOP caucus say they've found 19 to 22 Republicans who will vote against it. That’s focused attention on roughly two dozen undecided members. Eight of them are Californians. (Wire, 5/2)

The New York Times: Molina, Key Provider Under Obamacare, Ousts C.E.O., A Trump Critic
Dr. J. Mario Molina, the outspoken chief executive of the California health insurance company founded by his father, was abruptly removed from his position at Molina Healthcare, according to an announcement by the company on Tuesday. His brother, John, the company’s chief financial officer, was also immediately replaced. (Abelson, 5/2)

The Associated Press: Shakeup At Molina, CEO And CFO, Sons Of Founder Are Out
The company cited disappointing financial performance and its need to improve its operations and profits for the shake-up. Out are CEO Dr. Mario Molina, 58, who replaced his father as president and CEO in 1996, and John Molina, 52, who had served as chief financial officer since 2003. (5/2)

Modern Healthcare: Molina Healthcare Fires CEO And CFO Amid 'Disappointing' Finances
Dale Wolf, Molina's newly appointed chairman of the board, blamed poor financial results as the reason for kicking the Molina brothers out of the eponymous company their father built. But Molina's first quarter 2017 earnings released later on Tuesday seem at odds with Wolf's stated reason. Molina delivered a strong quarter. Its profit more than doubled to $77 million compared with $24 million at the same time in 2016. Revenue grew by 12.9% to $4.9 billion in the first quarter year over year. (Livingston, 5/2)

The Wall Street Journal: Molina Healthcare Fires CEO, CFO
Chief Accounting Officer Joseph White will serve as CFO and interim CEO. The company has begun a search for a permanent CEO. Shares hit a 52-week high on the news, closing at $59.75, a move that analysts said may partly reflect the belief that the company is now more likely to be acquired. (Wilde Mathews and Hufford, 5/2)

Los Angeles Times: Molina Healthcare Fires Its CEO And CFO, Sons Of The Company's Founder
The growing, Long Beach-based health insurer has nearly 5 million customers in 12 states and Puerto Rico, most of them insured through Medicaid, the government program for the poor. In California, Molina currently insures 765,000 people and operates its own clinics around the state. The company also has Medicare programs, and more than 1 million customers who purchased a plan on one of the marketplace exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. (Petersen, 5/2)

San Francisco Business Times: Theranos Settles Lawsuits With S.F. Hedge Fund Partner Fund Management 
Theranos Inc., the troubled blood testing company led by Elizabeth Holmes, settled two lawsuits with investor Partner Fund Management, it announced Monday without disclosing the terms of the settlement. The hedge fund had pumped $96.1 million into the company. It's the latest effort by Theranos to clear the tracks after dealing with multiple charges claiming securities fraud and other problems. Last month, the Palo Alto-based company reached settlements with the state of Arizona, where it agreed to pay consumers $4.65 million, and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which regulates blood-testing labs. (5/2)

Ventura County Star: High Levels Of Toxin Lead To Ventura County Shellfish Ban
The same toxin blamed for the high numbers of sick birds and sea lions has prompted a ban on recreationally harvested shellfish.Public health officials found dangerous levels of domoic acid in mussels from the Ventura County area, making them unsafe to consume. The naturally occurring toxin can cause illness or death, the California Department of Public Health reported. Officials urged people to avoid recreationally harvested mussels, clams, scallops and other shellfish, but not those commercially sold. (Carlson, 5/2)

In other news from across the state —

Orange County Register: Huntington Beach To Launch Program Testing Organic Pesticides
As concern about the adverse health effects of synthetic pesticides continues to grow, Councilman Billy O’Connell brought a recommendation to the council to launch a year-long pilot study to test the use of organic pesticides in a portion of Central Park West. He asked that Public Works provide updates in six months and one year with possible recommendations for updating the Integrated Pest Management Program. (Mellen, 5/2)

Ventura County Star: Puppies Help Students Beat Stress During Finals Week
Finals are crunch time, and as anxiety levels skyrocket this time of year, colleges in Ventura County are helping students find different ways to decompress...[Oxnard College's] Associated Student Government has prepared several activities for students during this month's finals week. On May 10, students can get free 10-minute massages, and on May 11, students are invited to participate in a drum circle. On May 15, two food trucks will be on campus throughout the day, serving barbecue meals and free burgers. (Doyle, 5/2)