Latest KFF Health News Stories
“Death rates among children under five at the [Millennium Villages Project (MVP)] — set up in Africa to demonstrate what is possible if health, education, agriculture, and other development needs are tackled simultaneously — have fallen by a third in three years compared with similar communities, according to the project’s first results,” published in the Lancet on Tuesday, the Guardian reports (Boseley, 5/8). The study “offers quantitative evidence of the success of the MVP model at nine Millennium Village sites in sub-Saharan Africa,” Nature News writes, adding, “Between 2006 and 2009, mortality in under-fives fell by an average of 22 percent, reaching a level roughly two-thirds of that in control villages not involved with the project, where child mortality seemed to rise.”
Treatable Infections Responsible For Nearly 2M Cases Of Cancer Globally Each Year, Study Suggests
“Bacteria, viruses and parasites cause around two million cases of cancer in the world each year, experts believe,” the Press Association/Guardian reports. According to the news service, “Scientists carried out a statistical analysis of cancer incidence to calculate that around 16 percent of all cancers diagnosed in 2008 were infection-related,” and “[t]he proportion of cancers linked to infection was three times higher in developing countries than in developed ones.”
Trends: Nonprofit Hospital Challenges, Rules At Hospitals With Religious Affiliations
Nonprofit hospitals face a range of challenges related to increasing costs and diminishing resources, while hospitals with religious affiliations play by rules that can affect the care they deliver.
Health Law Leaving Mark On Campaigns
Chamber of Commerce prepares ads in a variety of congressional races that hit Democrats for supporting health law, among other issues. Meanwhile, the Obama campaing releases Spanish-language ads in three battleground states promoting the health overhaul.
Chicago Mayor To Minnesota Attorney General: Step Back From Accretive Probe
In response to a letter from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel written on behalf of Accretive Health Inc., a Chicago-based company, Attorney General Lori Swanson vowed to press on in her investigation. Meanwhile, Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., scolded the company for not yet answering questions he raised last month.
Obesity Report Proposes Sweeping Changes In Schools, Communities, Workplaces
The Institute of Medicine panel recommended five critical areas to focus on to lower obesity: physical activity, food and beverage, marketing, work and schools.
How Much Will A Retired Couple Spend On Health Care? $240,000
This estimate, released by Fidelity Investments, reflects a 4 percent increase over medical bill projections for a couple that retired last year. The amount doesn’t include long-term care costs or over-the-counter drug expenses, among other things.
States Grapple With Inadequacies In Mental Health Services
Advocates hope the fatal beating of a California homeless man by police, captured by a security camera, may spur changes. In the meantime, a D.C. report says thousands of children who need mental health services aren’t getting them, and New York state fines insurers over mental health notices.
How Much Muscle Is Behind HHS’ Power To ‘Scrutinize’ Rate Increases?
Politico examines HHS’s ability to protect consumers from “unreasonable” premium increases. Meanwhile, The Hill reports on a study analyzing how many insurance plans should be allowed in state-based health exchanges.
DOJ Probes Fraud At Parkland Hospital; Texas Group Calls Medicaid ‘Indispensable’
In other state news reports on Medicaid issues, Florida officials seek federal approval for changes in Medically Needy program, and Connecticut House passes budget that would cut $50 million from Medicaid programs.
Mass. Senate To Release Plan To Revamp Health Payments
The proposal, which will be formally unveiled today, follows suggested blueprints from the governor and the House on cutting the growth rate of health care costs.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care policy from around the country.
State Roundup: Ga. Personal Care Homes In Peril; Texas Vets’ Wait For VA Disability
A selection of health policy stories from around the United States.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including details of the Institute of Medicine report on the nation’s obesity epidemic.
When Religious Rules And Women’s Health Collide
This story comes from our partner ‘s Shots blog. When you go to the hospital these days, chances are good that it will be affiliated with a religious organization. And while that may might just mean the chaplain will be of a specific denomination or some foods will be off limits, there may also be […]
These Health Law Bets Aren’t A Figure Of Speech
The stakes are high in the Supreme Court’s consideration of the 2010 health law, as countless commentators have observed. In some circles, however, the gambling metaphor has been pushed to its logical conclusion. Bernstein Research stock analyst Ana Gupte laid 50 percent odds recently on chances that the court will strike down the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate along with strict […]
Today’s Headlines – May 8, 2012
Good morning! Los Angeles Times: Congress Returns To Fight For The Presidency Democrats will seek to portray Republicans as protecting the wealthy at the expense of the middle class. Republicans will use the sluggish economy and Obama’s healthcare law as prime examples of big government failures. … The fight over student loan interest rates, which […]
Study: Residents In Tenn., Fla. And Ga. Saw Biggest Jump In Access Problems
Adults in nearly every state saw their access to health services worsen during over the past decade, with Tennessee, Florida and Georgia having the greatest increase in people reporting having an unmet medical need, according to a study released Tuesday. The three states had at least a 9 percentage point jump in the proportion of adults under 65 who […]
House GOP Bill Cuts Medicaid To Protect Military Spending
The budget plan, developed by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R- Wis., targets a number of Obama administration domestic initiatives. It trims an estimated $261 billion in domestic spending over the next decade and undoes elements of the health law.
Senate’s Student Loan Skirmish Will Include Health Law Funding Fight
Although both Democrats and Republicans agree on the idea of extending the current interest rate for student loans, they want to pay for it differently. Democrats would raise Medicare payroll taxes for some high-earning stock holders. Republicans would use health law funds. Pundits predict a showdown.