Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Opinions Abound On Effect Of ‘Gang Of Six’ Proposal On Health Spending
A selection of opionions and editorials from around the country.
Prevention As A New Approach To Primary Care?
The AP reports on an emerging primary care model that encourages family physicians to act as health coaches who focus on prevening illness as well as treating it.
Conn., Calif. Facing Adult Day Care, Respite Center Closures
Facing enormous budget constraints, lawmakers in California have sought to find a way to keep day-care services for adults to help keep them out of nursing homes. Conn. residents face a similar situation because the state is slated to close respite centers that help families get a break from caregiving.
IOM Panel Recommends Insurance Coverage For Contraception
The recommendation by the Institute of Medicine advises that contraceptives for women be treated as one of the several preventive services provided free of charge under the new health law.
21 State AGs Support Mo. Lt. Governor’s Health Law Challenge
Meanwhile, an appropriations bill has stalled because of jurisdictional issues regarding a provision that would prohibit federal funds from being used to implement the health law.
Proposed Medicaid Cuts Draw Warnings, Unexpected Requests
As debt talks proceed, the request by California Governor Jerry Brown, a liberal Democrat, to cut Medicaid spending by 10 percent, is reportedly awkward for congressional Democrats and the White House. Meanwhile, some advocates warn that Latinos will be hit hard by proposals to cut the health insurance program for the poor.
New Public Opinion Polls Highlight Debt-Ceiling Concerns, Attitude Shifts
The Wall Street Journal reports on a “dramatic shift in attitudes” as the majority of those polled support President Barack Obama’s 10-year plan, which includes federal spending reductions that would touch Medicare and other entitlement programs.
Texas Tribune Reviews New Anti-Abortion Law; Health Debate
The Texas Tribune recounts the legislative debate on health care issues, especially abortion.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including details on shifts in public opinion about congressional efforts to raise the nation’s debt ceiling, reduce spending for Medicare and other entitlements, and raise taxes.
Capsules: IOM Recommends Free Birth Control For All
The group is the latest to weigh in on what preventive care insurers should have to offer at no cost under the health law.
Gang Of Six Plan To Cut Deficit By $3.7 T Includes Doc Fix, Gets Boost From Obama
President Barack Obama praised the bipartisan plan, which includes immediate deficit cuts as well as entitlement reforms. It also would repeal the CLASS Act.
Software Uses Twitter To Track Dengue Outbreaks In Brazil
The New Scientist reports on a software program that is being used “to identify a high correlation between the time and place where people tweet they have dengue and the official statistics for where the disease appears each season.”
Debt-Ceiling Activity Moves On Multiple Tracks
The House GOP’s “cut, cap and balance” plan, which will likely come up for a vote this week, could lead to deep cuts in Medicare and other federal safety net programs.
Efforts Underway To Fix Health Law Glitch
Two separate bills have been introduced to address this health law issue, which inadvertently would make 3 million middle-income early retirees eligible for Medicaid because Social Security benefits would not be factored into their income. The fix could save $13 billion. But it’s not clear if either measure will move forward.
GlobalPost Examines GHI Implementation In Guatemala
GlobalPost examines the prevalence of chronic malnutrition in Guatemala, which is one of the countries targeted by the Obama administration’s Global Health Initiative (GHI). It also looks at how the GHI is being implemented in that country.
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Papua New Guinea Government Stepping Down As Global Fund Grant Principal Recipient
Following an audit last year by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria that found Papua New Guinea’s National Department of Health (NDOH) “had not complied with grant guidelines and some $7 million had been misdirected,” the government is stepping down as the principal recipient (PR) of Global Fund grants in order to “improve its response,” IRIN reports.
