Latest KFF Health News Stories
Legislation In Chinese Autonomous Region Would Eliminate Anonymous HIV Testing, Require Names
“Health officials in southern China are proposing new legislation to require real-name registration for HIV testing, a move aimed at lowering infection rates that has sparked controversy over personal privacy,” the Wall Street Journal’s “China Real Time Report” blog reports. It notes that China’s Xinhua News Agency recently reported that the legislation, proposed in China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, also would mandate people testing positive for HIV must inform their spouses and partners.
Fewer Health Care Dollars Would Flow To States Under Obama Budget Plan
Cuts would come in “blended” Medicaid rates, reduced spending for teaching hospitals, and cuts in medical research.
States’ Experiences With High-Risk Pools Vary
One of the early provisions of the health law set up temporary insurance pools for people with medical conditions who couldn’t buy insurance. Politico looks at what the varied state experiences in that program suggest about other aspects of the health overhaul.
Aging Asian Population Raising Concerns Over Pensions, Chronic Health Conditions
“With 60 percent of the world’s population, Asia has one of the largest concentrations globally of aging persons, creating a host of potential challenges, experts warn,” including a lack of income and a rise in health problems among the population, IRIN reports. “One in four people in Asia will be 60 or older by the year 2050, rising from one in 10 in 2010, according to the U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific,” with more than 65 percent of that population being women, IRIN notes. The article includes quotes from experts on how the region will address concerns over social security and pension schemes and an increase in chronic and mental illnesses among the aging population (2/14).
Debate Shifts On Contraception Rule
While congressional Republicans say the fight isn’t over on the administration’s birth control mandate, the measured support for President Obama’s compromise from some Catholic groups and a few Republicans has tamped down the political furor.
Critics Find Much To Fault In Obama Budget
Republicans, including presidential candidate Mitt Romney, say the budget doesn’t do enough to hold back entitlement spending. Health care industry groups, meanwhile, call proposed payment cuts unfair and unworkable.
State Roundup: Mass. Small Biz Co-Ops Start, Miss. Medicaid Changes
A selection of stories from Mississippi, Massachusetts, California, Rhode Island, Oregon, Kansas, South Dakota, Georgia and Louisiana.
Senate Republicans Ask Supreme Court To Strike Mandate
In a brief filed Monday, 43 Senate Republicans said that if the Supreme Court allows the mandate to buy health insurance in the Democrats’ health law to stand, then Congress could require Americans to buy almost anything.
Updated Tool To Track NTD Funding, Identify Gaps
The Neglected Tropical Disease Control Program (NTD Control Program), funded by USAID and managed by Research Triangle Institute International (RTI International), has released an updated version of its NTD Funding Gap Analysis Tool (NTD-FGAT), which “helps users accurately estimate the costs and funding gaps of public health programs” and “is intended as a supplementary instrument to improve resource and strategic planning in an already existing national NTD plan,” according to the Global Network for NTDs’ “End the Neglect” blog (2/13).
House GOP Proposes Separating Payroll Tax Extension From ‘Doc Fix,’ Unemployment Debate
But some Republicans are cool to the proposal to extend the lower tax cut without offsetting spending.
Viewpoints: Obama’s Budget, Birth Control Choices; Planning Hospital Readmissions
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the U.S.
First Edition: February 14, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations include news on congressional package to payroll taxes and stop a Medicare payment cut and analysis of President Barack Obama’s budget.
President’s Budget Adds To CMS For Health Law Implementation, Cuts Medicare/Medicaid
The Obama Administration released its annual budget today and Republicans were quick to criticize.
State Roundup: Health Law Implementation in Alaska, Calif., Mental Health Funding Challenges
A selection of health care stories from Florida, California, Iowa, Alaska, Washington state and Texas.
Viewpoints: Rationing Health Care, Jindal And Hospitals, Romney Vs. Past
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the U.S.
The U.S. Debates The Contraception Rule
A selection of opinions and editorials on the controversy surrounding the administration’s regulation mandating insurance coverage for women of birth control.
Knee Replacements Double In 10 Years, Study Says
Advances in technology and surgical improvements have increased demand for the procedure.
N.Y. Times Poll Finds Majority Of Americans Say Taxes Will Exceed Benefits
Two stories examine Americans’ views of government benefits and safety net programs.
Tax Increases, Medicare Cuts Expected In Obama Budget
President Obama releases his budget plan today, which is already getting its share of Republican detractors.
Bishops, Congressional Republicans Vow To Fight New Contraception Plan
Meanwhile, insurers react cautiously to Friday’s announcement, with the America’s Health Insurance Plans trade association expressing concern about the precedent set by the new policy, and Aetna saying more time is needed to study the impact.
