Latest KFF Health News Stories
Different Hunger Calculation Approach Could Help Use Resources More Effectively
In a New York Times opinion piece, Robert Jensen, an associate professor of public policy at the University of California, Los Angeles, and Nolan Miller, a professor of finance at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, suggest an alternate strategy for measuring hunger, called the “staple-calorie-share approach,” which “can give us a radically different view of who is hungry and who is not.”
In other health reform coverage, news outlets report on the divisive impact IPAB is having among Democrats, how health care is playing among GOP presidential hopefuls and what might happen in the legal challenge to the health law.
Drug Makers Seek To Block Deficit-Talk Demands For Discounts
Also, The Wall Street Journal reports that the pharmaceutical industry’s pipeline is showing a reinvigorated level of energy.
Opponents Ask Colo. Attorney General To Intervene On Hospital Sale
Opponents are mounting a challenge to the planned sale of Denver’s largest hospital group to a for-profit chain while hospitals in Massachusetts report difficult economic conditions and a California facility is expanding.
Slow Economic Recovery Slows Tally Of New Health Care Jobs
Despite the health industry’s slow job growth, it remains a key contributor of new employment.
Deal In Debt Talks Still Elusive As Aug. 2 Deadline Looms
Issues related to trimming entitlement programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, as well as revamping the tax code, continue to be difficult to tackle.
Haiti Passed Up Cholera Vaccine Offer, Crucell CEO Says
Ronald Brus, CEO of the Dutch vaccine maker Crucell, said Haiti did not accept an offer of tens of thousands of cholera vaccine doses late last year, the Financial Times reports. Brus said Crucell offered significant donations of its Dukoral cholera vaccine, but Haitian health officials passed on the offer, according to the newspaper.
Scientists Isolate New Gonorrhea Strain Resistant To All Antibiotics
Scientists have isolated a new strain of the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea that is resistant to all known antibiotic treatments in biological samples from a Japan woman, according to Magnus Unemo of the Swedish Reference Laboratory for Pathogenic Neisseria, Reuters reports. Unemo is set to present his findings at a conference of the International Society for Sexually Transmitted Disease Research in Quebec on Monday.
U.N. FAO, WFP, Oxfam Launch Joint Appeal For Horn Of Africa Drought Aid
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Food Program and Oxfam issued a joint appeal on Friday asking the international community to provide the “political, moral and financial means” necessary to fight the severe drought affecting more than 10 million people in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Uganda, the Associated Press reports (7/8).
USAID, NSF Launch Science Research Grant Program To Support Development Goals
USAID and the National Science Foundation (NSF) on Thursday launched the Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) initiative to “provide grants to developing world partners of NSF U.S. grantees,” with the goal of supporting “applied research
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including more reports on the challenges President Barack Obama and congressional leaders are facing in the ongoing debt reduction negotiations.
As Boehner Rejects Major Debt Deal, Dems Raise Medicare Questions
News outlets covered the fallout of House Speaker John Boehner’s Saturday announcement. On Sunday talk shows, Democrats insisted the President is “still committed” to solving the deficit problem.
Negotiators Set Sights On ‘Grand Debt Deal’
At stake are trillions of dollars in government spending and taxes. After a Thursday meeting, President Barack Obama and congressional leaders agreed to reconvene Sunday.
Democrats Fear Political Pain From Entitlement Cuts
Though some Democrats view the Obama’s strategy to reach a budget deal as a positive development, others are making pleas to take Medicare and Social Security cuts off of the bargaining table – fearing that changes to these programs would make them vulnerable in the upcoming election cycle.
Medicaid Pricing, Volume Varies Across States
A new study in the July issue of Health Affairs finds significant regional differences in program spending. Researchers suggest understanding these differences could lead to improved quality and efficiency of care.
Is GOP Rhetoric Putting IPAB Repeal Effort At Risk?
Politico reports that some provider groups fear the GOP’s harsh talk could undermine the chances that some Democrats will join in the push to undo the health law’s independent payment advisory board.
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
