Latest KFF Health News Stories
GAO Reviews Impact Of Health Law’s Medical-Loss Ratio Provision
Also in today’s health policy headlines, the Wall Street Journal reports that a new state-federal program will put steep health premium increases under the microscope and the Washington Post showcases a map detailing state-by-state progress on creating health exchanges.
IPS Examines DNDi Program To Develop Pediatric HIV Drugs
Inter Press Service profiles a program launched by the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) to develop antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) specifically designed for children living with HIV/AIDS. “The program will focus exclusively on developing child-adapted formulations for children under three, the most neglected segment in terms of availability of ARVs. The DNDi hopes to have new pediatric-specific medicines available between 2014 and 2016,” IPS writes. The article examines pediatric HIV treatment issues in India, Kenya and Brazil (Frayssinet et al., 8/29).
Chagas Parasite Infects 18M Worldwide, Often Without Detection
Chagas, which is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, affects 18 million people worldwide, but is particularly prevalent in Latin American countries, “where a bug called the vinchuga, sometimes known as the kissing bug (because it bites people on their faces while they sleep), transmits the disease,” the Atlantic reports. The parasite “remains dormant in peoples’ bodies for up to 30 years, until it kills them suddenly by stopping their hearts or rupturing their intestines,” the magazine writes.
Poll: Understanding Of Health Law Slipping – Especially Among Uninsured
The poll also shows that, among people with employer-sponsored health insurance, very few would accept changes – such as a more restricted list of doctors or hospitals – to their current coverage levels.
Medicaid News: Calif. Providers Seek More Details On Cuts
Several N.C. businesses will now offer employees the opportunity to use a well-known medical home network that has served primarily Medicaid enrollees. Meanwhile, in California, hospitals and doctors are complaining that the state has not given them adequate details about its plans to cut Medicaid costs.
Roundup: Laid-Off IT Workers In Conn. Prepare For Health Jobs
News outlets examine a variety of state health policy issues.
A small selection of health policy opinions and editorials.
ALEC Offers State Legislators Advice On The Health Law’s Repeal
Kansas Health Institute News reports on a new manual designed to help state legislators fight implementation of the health law.
Medicare Costs Will Increase With Weight Of Baby Boomers
A new AP-LifeGoesStrong.com poll finds that baby boomers are losing the weight game, and that it will spell trouble for the health care system.
Ramped-Up Anti-Fraud Efforts Trigger Significant Jump In Prosecutions
USA Today reports that the number of prosecutions so far this year marks a 24 percent increase over the total for all of fiscal year 2010.
Dems, Union Activists Flex Medicare Muscle At Town Hall Meetings
The Washington Post’s The Fix reports that, according to a Pew poll, nearly eight in 10 Americans have been paying attention this August to the rowdy issues and answers at these events.
First Edition: August 30, 2011
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a report about a new federal and state program that will apply scrutiny to any health-premium increase of more than 10 percent.
GOP Presidential Hopeful Rick Perry On Health Issues
In analyzing Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s health record, medical malpractice reform is one of the issues he appears to be most passionate about.
For NAIC, Some Signals Suggest Broker Bill Is Losing Traction
The Hill reports that a spokeswoman for the chairman of the NAIC’s Professional Health Insurance Advisors Task Force said no major action on the issue was planned for the group’s conference. In other news, MSNBC reports that, as insurance prices rise, options appear to diminish, creating questions about how much relief the health law will provide. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel explores health reform’s winners and losers.
State Roundup: Calif. Ruling May Extend Mental Health Coverage
News outlets report on a variety of state health policy issues.
Kassebaum Reflects On HIPAA’s Impact
A Modern Healthcare reporter talked with former Sen. Nancy Kassebaum, R-Kan., about HIPAA, which was signed into law Aug. 21, 1996.
Medicaid News: Texas Dental Costs; Ill. Providers Hesitant On Managed Care
Across the states, Medicaid spending and costs are being examined.
‘Super Committee’ Members Have Demonstrated Streaks Of Independence
The AP reports that this circumstance may help the deficit panelists craft a compromise.
CMS: Insurers Need To Create Plans For Dual Eligibles
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a final rule last week that detailed how Medicare Advantage insurers must develop individualized plans to coordinate care for some in this expensive, special needs population.
Vitamin A Supplements Could Save The Lives Of 600,000 Children A Year, Researchers Say
“Giving vitamin A supplements to children under the age of five in developing countries could save 600,000 lives a year, researchers claim” in a paper published Thursday in the British Medical Journal, BBC News reports. “UK and Pakistani experts assessed 43 studies involving 200,000 children, and found deaths were cut by 24 percent if children were given the vitamin … And they say taking it would also cut rates of measles and diarrhea,” the news agency writes.
