Latest KFF Health News Stories
Though Declared Over, CLASS Act Still Draws Attention
A group of House and Senate Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius last week reiterating earlier criticisms of the long-term care insurance program and noting that ending the program did not completely address their concerns.
First Edition: October 24, 2011
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including speculation about how the Supreme Court might review the health law and what’s happening with the super committee.
Vets, Medicare Beneficiaries Worry About Future Health Coverage
News outlets covered protests of seniors and concern by veterans’ groups about possible increases in costs for their health insurance.
Health Care Providers Approve Of ACO Rule Revisions
Some insurers and employers complained, however, that the changes will increase the chances that providers will consolidate, which could reduce competition and drive up costs.
Eighth Circuit Hears Health Law Arguments
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Thursday regarding whether a health law legal challenge brought by two Missouri residents should be revived.
Research Roundup: Disparities In Heart Failure Improvements
This week’s reports come from the Journal of the American Medical Association, the Government Accountability Office, the Kaiser Family Foundation, the Urban Institute and the Commonwealth Fund.
JAMA Examines KFF/UNAIDS Analysis On Global HIV/AIDS Funding
A news and perspectives piece in the current issue of JAMA examines a recent funding analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation and UNAIDS showing that “[g]overnments that support treatment and services for people with HIV/AIDS in low- and middle-income countries cut their annual contributions in 2010 by 10 percent,” spending $6.9 billion last year compared with $7.6 billion in 2009. The article quotes Bernhard Schwartlander, the UNAIDS director for evidence, strategy, and results; Drew Altman, president and CEO of the Kaiser Family Foundation; and Sharonann Lynch, HIV/AIDS policy adviser with the Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines of Medecins Sans Frontieres (Voelker, 10/19).
Learning About Politics In The Midst Of Screening Recommendations
The recent recommendation by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force that women get less frequent screenings for cervical cancer demonstrated a remarkably different response than other such recommendations.
Health Costs Continue Upward Trend
MarketWatch reports that an index tracking health care costs rose for the fourth time in a row. Meanwhile, McClatchy reports that disability benefits are on a financially unsustainable path. Finally, NPR offers advice for handling health expenses during one’s golden years.
State News: Wis. Insurance Savings; N.Y. Major Hospital Merger Possible
A selection of health care stories from Minnesota, New York, California, Vermont, Texas, Maryland, Iowa and Kansas.
NYT: Wal-Mart Cutting Some Health Benefits
According to this report, Wal-Mart will roll back coverage for part-time workers and raise premiums for some full-time employees.
Medical Homes Save Money, But Many Practices ‘Lack What It Takes’
Nearly half of all medical practices don’t qualify as a patient-centered medical home, according to a study published this week by the journal, Health Services Research.
Viewpoints: The Toll Of Medicare Fraud; Insurer’s Medicare Advantage Switch Can Confuse Seniors
A selection of health care opinions from across the country.
X Prize Foundation Offers $10 Million For Innovative Diagnostic Device
It’s not really Star Trek, but it sounds like it. The X Prize Foundation’s award seeks the creation of a medical device that can diagnose 15 medical conditions within three days – without human intervention.
On Debate Night, Perry ‘Sidesteps’ Question About Texas’ Uninsured Children
The Houston Chronicle reports that GOP presidential hopeful Rick Perry said states’ rights were key to addressing Texas’ high number of uninsured Children.
Super Committee: Are All The Old Deficit-Reduction Ideas New Again?
As the panel considers its approach to reach deficit-reduction targets, much of the input it is getting from congressional committees and outside interest groups seems to track with existing ideas rather than innovative approaches.
States React, Act On Health Law Waivers, Implementation Issues
Sen. Ron Wyden draws line in the sand about how health law waivers should be used. Meanwhile, Kansas’ planning board continues its efforts toward the creation of a state-based health exchange while acknowledging that the federal government may end up in charge. Also, in Oregon, a consumer-run health plan is positioning itself to be included in the state’s exchange.
Indiana, Planned Parenthood In Court On Medicaid Funding
Several stories about attempts on the state level to limit insurance coverage of abortions.
Radio VOP reports on water shortages in the high-density suburbs of the Zimbabwean capital of Harare, writing that some “have gone for a week without water raising fears of a cholera outbreak and bringing back fresh memories of the 4,000 people across the country killed in a cholera disaster in 2008” (10/21). But Health and Child Welfare Ministry officials in Zimbabwe “say the government has successfully curbed over 1,000 cases of cholera recorded during the first half of this year, while indicating that measures have been put in place to contain another outbreak of the disease,” the Zimbabwean reports.
