Latest KFF Health News Stories
State Exchanges And Health IT Could Be Hurdles To Health Law Implementation
News outlets report on the challenges posed by various provisions of the health law.
With Adderall Shortage, Drug Counterfeiters Try To Seize A Market Opportunity
NPR reports that counterfeiters are trying to take advantage of this market, but are demonstrating clumsiness.
U.S. House Poised For A Series Of Health-Related Votes
Included on the list is a bill to repeal the health law’s medical device tax and another to repeal the OTC ban. The device-tax issue has already emerged as a hot topic in many congressional races.
Caterpillar Union, Florida Unions Fight Plans That Would Affect Health Care
The contract proposal from Caterpillar would have a number of changes for workers, including requirements that they pay more for health care. In Florida, unions are seeking to stop a plan to save money by privatizing health care for prison inmates.
Viewpoints: Ryan Plan’s ‘Fiscal Cliff;’ Does The FDA Have An App For That?
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care policy from around the country.
Ill. Lawmakers Race To Approve Cuts, Tax Increases To Fill Medicaid Budget Hole
A $1-per-pack cigarette tax increase moves along in that state’s legislature. It would help fill a budget gap in the Illinois Medicaid program. Lawmakers also approve a bill that further defines nonprofit eligibility for hospitals. In the meantime, lawmakers there also consider changes to retiree pensions and health care.
Romney Clinches GOP Nomination With Texas Vote
As GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney steps up his political attacks on President Barack Obama, the health law will be one of his frequent themes. Also in the news, an aide says Romney will soon offer details on his health policy proposals.
Health Care, Women’s Health Issues Split Midwest Voters Ahead Of Elections
In Ohio, working class voters are divided on whether Mitt Romney or President Barak Obama more closely aligns with their views on health care.
Today’s early morning highlights from major news organizations, including reports about the slow uptake on the health law’s small-business health care tax credit and about how some conservatives are working against health insurance exchanges.
Officials At 65th World Health Assembly Adopt Resolutions On Broad Range Of Health Issues
“The 65th World Health Assembly concluded Saturday after adopting 21 resolutions and three decisions on a broad range of health issues,” a WHO press release reports (5/26). “Several resolutions were adopted,
USAID Announces Food Security Open Data Challenge
Following President Barack Obama’s announcement of the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition at a food security summit last week, “USAID launched a Food Security Open Data Challenge that invites technologists, agriculture stakeholders, entrepreneurs, academics, and others to determine the most creative and wide-reaching use of open data for food security solutions and better, cheaper, and faster results,” Maura O’Neill, chief innovation officer at USAID, and Kat Townsend, special assistant for engagement at USAID, write in a post in the agency’s “DipNote” blog (5/27). “Over the next few months, the Food Security Open Data Challenge will have three key components,” including “an Ideation Jam where technologists and agriculture stakeholders will identify key innovation opportunities by focusing on the overlap of food security priorities and the potential of available data”; “a Codeathon to create and finalize solutions that are available for investment”; and “a Datapalooza, hosted by USAID Administrator Raj Shah, to announce challenge winners and showcase some of the best ideas for data-based solutions to food security,” Hillary Chen, a senior adviser to the deputy director of global development at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, writes in this post in the White House Blog (5/25).
Outcomes Of Next Month’s Rio+20 Summit Will Have ‘Deep Repercussions’ For Future Generations
In this post in the Guardian’s “Poverty Matters Blog,” Gro Harlem Brundtland and Fernando Henrique Cardoso, both of whom are involved in Elders+Youngers, an inter-generational dialogue on the future of the planet initiated by the Elders, a group of eminent global leaders working together for peace and human rights, comment on a “lack of urgency in the run-up to the Rio+20 summit next month,” writing, “The meeting provides a historic opportunity to chart a sustainable future for the world,” but “at the moment, there is a real chance the opportunity will be thrown away.”
G8 Summit ‘Missed Opportunity’ To Make Real Commitment To Long-Term Food Security
“This G8 summit was, yet again, a missed opportunity for international leaders to make a real commitment to long-term food security and support for African and developing world farmers,” Eva Clayton (D-N.C.), a former Congresswoman and former assistant director general of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), writes in this post in the Huffington Post’s “The World” blog. “In the realm of food security, the G8 had an ideal opportunity to provide a clear solution that embraces trade and opportunity, a new paradigm if you will, in international development and food security,” she continues, adding, “Unfortunately, G8 leaders emerging from Camp David still spoke of the same old aid commitments without any backbone, all the while ignoring the impact that trade barriers and U.S. and European multi-billion dollar subsidies have on food production in those countries most in need of development.”
State Roundup: The Effects Of Proposed Calif. Budget Cuts; Fewer Free Vaccinations In Texas
A selection of health policy stories from around the country.
Mass. Business Groups Differ On How To Control Costs
Meanwhile, news outlets look at a new approach on malpractice disputes in Mass., an expansion by the Baylor Health Care System in Texas and health care providers go beyond checklists in Conn.
Studies Outline Dilemmas On New Generic Heart Drugs, HRT
One heart drug’s move to generic status has complicated treatment options for some patients and doctors, the Wall Street Journal reports. Also, another study raises concerns about hormone replacement therapy in women.
“Participants at the Fifth International Parliamentarians’ Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) ended [a two-day meeting in Istanbul, Turkey] Friday with a joint pledge to advocate for increased funding for full implementation of the decades-old ICPD Programme of Action,” Inter Press Service reports. According to the news service, “about 300 members of parliament from 110 countries issued the Istanbul Statement of Commitment, reiterating their commitment to achieve the goals laid out in the ICPD Programme of Action adopted in Cairo, Egypt in 1994.” “According to the statement, implementation of the programme is ‘essential for countries to reduce poverty and social and economic inequality, improve the lives of their people and safeguard the health and rights of women, including sexual and reproductive health rights,'” IPS writes.
For Many Prostate Cancer Patients, New Guidance Is Confusing
The recommendation that fewer men get screened for the disease goes against what many people believe should be appropriate, NPR reports.
European Union Sets Four Priority Areas, Including Food Security, For Upcoming G20 Summit
The Devex Development Newswire reports on the upcoming G20 summit, which will take place in Los Cabos, Mexico, on June 18-19. The news service writes, “In a letter [.pdf] issued May 25, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso noted the European Union’s four priority areas at the summit,” which are growth and employment, strengthening the International Monetary Fund, reforming the financial system, and food security and the G20’s development work. “The letter did not hint on new initiatives similar to the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition, which was launched at the recently concluded G8 summit,” the news service notes, adding, “The two leaders only said they will welcome progress made on the implementation of the G20 Action Plan on Food Price Volatility and Agriculture adopted last year” (Ravelo, 5/28).
Patients With Mental Health Issues Overwhelm ERs
Patients suffering from schizophrenia, psychotic tendencies and suicidal behaviors are burdening hospital ERs, reports Modern Healthcare.
