Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including previews of next week’s health law action at the Supreme Court.
House Votes To Repeal Medicare’s IPAB
The repeal vote was predominantly along party lines. The Senate is not likely to go along with removing this part of the health law, which is supposed to control Medicare costs. KHN tracked the related coverage.
Speaking Tuesday at a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah said USAID’s FY 2013 budget proposal “is slightly lower than last year,” but that “future U.S. foreign aid investments will be more ‘prioritized, focused and concentrated,'” and he “promised that U.S. aid will still be able to meet global development challenges,” VOA’s “Breaking News” blog reports (3/21). “While foreign assistance represents less than one percent of our budget, we are committed to improving our efficiency and maximizing the value of every dollar,” Shah said, according to a transcript of his testimony. Shah outlined how the “budget prioritizes our USAID Forward suite of reforms,” noting efforts in the Global Health Initiative and Feed the Future programs, among others, according to his speech (3/20).
Ryan Budget Floor Vote Foreshadows Fiscal Showdown
The House Budget Committee approved the measure in a late vote Wednesday. Meanwhile, because it “fractures” the spending agreement reached last summer between the White House and congressional Republicans, both sides may be fixing for a fight as the election gets closer.
Longer Looks: Health Literacy’s Effect On Costs
Every week, reporter Jessica Marcy selects interesting reading from around the Web.
Lawmakers Allege Some Drug Companies Inflate Cost Of Scarce Drugs With ‘Fake Pharmacies’
Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., is leading a congressional investigation accusing some drug distributors of opening “fake pharmacies” to drive up the cost of some pharmacueticals that are in short supply.
Health Policies Continue To Play Role In GOP Presidential Primary
An analysis by The Associated Press points out that the GOP may be gelling around presidential hopeful Mitt Romney despite his role while governor in advancing the Massachusetts health law. Meanwhile, the AP also reports that rival candidate Rick Santorum offered his support for the budget plan announced this week by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., but said he would be more aggressive in achieving savings. Medicaid would be one of his targets.
Va. Voters Divided Over Support For Ultrasound Law; Other Related News
Voters are split over a new Virginia law that mandates women get ultrasounds before an abortion. Abortion and contraception issues are also making news in Iowa, Idaho, Texas, Washington, Kansas and Utah.
Status Checks On The Health Overhaul’s Implementation
News outlets detail various progress reports from administration officials as well as several studies.
Survey: Doctors Violate Professionalism Online
A letter in JAMA found most state medical licensing boards are receiving complaints about some doctors’ online behavior.
As Need For Nurses Increases, More Men Enter The Profession
As the country faces a shortage of doctors, nurses may help fill the void and the government and industry are working to make sure there are enough of these professionals.
Disabled Care In N.Y., Va., Ore. Examined Through Reports, Agreements And Budgets
Care for the disabled, as well as funding for programs that support them, is making news in New York, Virginia and Oregon.
Hospital News: Community Health Systems Victorious Over Tenet Healthcare
A U.S. District court in Dallas dismissed Tenet’s suit against Community.
Anticipating The Health Law’s Day In Court
Coverage of next week’s Supreme Court arguments on the health law includes a variety of takes on the key issues.
Election-Year Politics Swirl Around Health Law Arguments
Democrats, including President Barack Obama and members of Congress, have different strategies for how they will handle the spotlight on the health law next week, when it comes before the Supreme Court. House Democrats plan to celebrate the law’s achievements. President Obama will be in Korea. Republicans, meanwhile, are attempting to turn it into campaign fodder.
A selection of editorials and opinions on health policy from around the country.
The Health Law’s Second Anniversary: Where Do Things Stand?
As the sweeping overhaul turns two and the Supreme Court prepares to review its constitutionality, news outlets report on what provisions have taken effect, what changes are still in the pipeline and how people have been affected so far.
Ryan Praised For ‘Sticking His Neck Out’; Others Call Budget Plan A ‘Path To Nowhere’
Commentators review the federal budget proposal announced Tuesday by House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan.
State Roundup: Union Seeks $80M From N.Y. For Health Aides’ Insurance
Health policy news centers around the legislatures in various states.
U.N.-Backed Campaign Aims To Vaccinate 111M Children In 20 Countries Against Polio Over 4 Days
“Some 111.1 million children below the age of five are to be vaccinated against polio in a synchronized campaign covering 20 countries in West and Central Africa starting on Friday,” the WHO and UNICEF said in a joint statement on Wednesday, PANA reports (3/21). The campaign, which will last for four days, “is intended to serve as a massive boost in efforts to eradicate the disease, and will involve national health ministries and U.N. agencies, as well as tens of thousands of volunteers who will go from door-to-door immunizing children,” the U.N. News Centre writes (3/21).
