Latest KFF Health News Stories
Research Roundup: Personalized Info Helps Consumer Decision-Making
This week’s studies come from the National Bureau of Economic Research, Health Affairs, Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, The Archives of Internal Medicine, The Kaiser Family Foundation, Health Management Associates, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute.
State News: Study Finds Economy Hurt By Mass. Health Law
News outlets report on a variety of state health policy issues.
Increase In Hospital Births Helps Lower Neonatal Mortality Rate In China, Study Says
A campaign that began in 2000 encouraging women in China to give birth in hospitals instead of at home helped cut the nation’s neonatal mortality rate by 62 percent between 1996 and 2008, according to a study by researchers from Peking University and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, BBC News reports. For the study, published Friday in the Lancet, researchers analyzed “data from China’s Maternal and Mortality Surveillance System to examine trends in neonatal mortality by cause and socioeconomic region,” the news service writes (9/15).
Afghanistan Facing Challenges In Effort To Eradicate Polio By End Of 2012
“Afghanistan is intensifying efforts to eradicate polio by the end of next year, but security remains a major challenge especially in the southern provinces where the virus is localized, says” Arshad Quddus, head of the WHO polio program in Afghanistan, IRIN reports. Polio remains endemic in Afghanistan, according to the WHO, IRIN notes, adding that Afghan “[g]overnment data show that 85 percent of the population now live in polio-free areas, but the virus is still circulating in 13 districts, including the seven where [13] recent cases have been detected.” In addition to security issues, “low literacy rates, poor hygiene practices and low awareness of the benefits of vaccination” are hindering campaigns, according to IRIN (9/15).
U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator for Chad Thomas Gurtner “says Chad faces daunting food security and health challenges” but that “peace and growing stability in Chad bodes well for the country’s future,” VOA News reports. He cited high rates of food insecurity and malnutrition among children, “insufficient rainfall” that likely will “limit agricultural production,” rising food prices, the “worst cholera epidemic in years,” and the return home of more than 80,000 Chadian migrants who were working in Libya and sending money home to their families, the news service notes.
First Edition: September 16, 2011
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that, despite dire predictions by health law opponents about the Medicare Advantage program, its premiums are falling and its enrollment is rising.
Public Confidence At Stake In Deficit Panel Deliberations
Meanwhile, media outlets consider whether the ‘super committee’ will ultimately opt to go for a “grand bargain.”
Advocates Ramp Up Efforts To Protect Medicaid From ‘Super Committee’ Trims
State Medicaid directors as well as patient and consumer advocates are detailing the harms that would result from various Medicaid changes under discussion.
State Roundup: Mich. Gov. Releases Health Plan
News outlets report on a variety of state health policy issues.
Longer Looks: A Health Care Arms Race Video; The HPV Debate
Today’s articles come from The Atlantic, Marketplace, The Economist, The Nation and Modern Healthcare.
New Report Finds Improvements In Hospital Performance
Meanwhile, Reuters reports on the quality of weekend care at stroke centers, and nursing homes are trying to reduce their use of powerful antipsychotic drugs for patients with dementia.
Democrats Hold On To Medicare Message Despite Special Election Losses
The Washington Post reports that Dems plan to maintain their focus on House GOP plans to change Medicare, despite this week’s difficulties at the polls.
Bachmann, Perry Embroiled In HPV Fracas
Since Monday night’s GOP primary debate, the two presidential hopefuls continue to be the targets of discussion and coverage regarding both the style and substance of the HPV vaccine issue.
Costs Of Maryland Hospital Stays Increase
Maryland report finds the average stay in a hospital in 2010 was up about 2 percent, less than the 3 percent national increase.
Reading Between The Lines: As Poor Get Poorer, Their Health Is At Greater Risk
In the wake of this week’s Census Bureau report, news outlets report that the dire data about the percentage of Americans living in poverty could feed the current deficit-reduction discussions in Congress.
Viewpoints: NY Times On Uninsured; Wilensky’s ‘Sobering Reflection’; Caring For Aging Parents
A diverse selection of opinions and editorials.
Coalition Launches Effort To Enroll People Without Insurance
Enroll America, which is a group of health care organizations and companies, is making a health coverage push to boost the new health law.
Appeals Court To Take Up Ariz. Medicaid Challenge
The state appellate court will hear arguments next month on whether the governor can reduce enrollment in Medicaid.
Calif., Texas Face Challenges, Take Different Reform Approaches
The LA Times reports that California, because of its budget issues and need to slash the state safety net programs, could become a trouble spot for the health law.
Health CEOs Urge Deficit Panel To Raise Medicare’s Eligibility Age
But Blue Dog Democrats said Wednesday that no one is going to cut benefits for seniors or people near the current eligibility age for Medicare and Social Security.
