Latest KFF Health News Stories
WFP Investigating Fraud Allegations In Somalia; U.N., Oxfam Call For Increased Assistance
The World Food Programme (WFP) does not plan “to reduce aid to Somalia following allegations that international food shipments there are being diverted,” the Associated Press reports. WFP spokesperson Christiane Berthiaume “told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday that the WFP investigation so far has no evidence of a large-scale fraud scheme,” the news agency writes (8/16). Noting it has “strong controls
U.S. ‘Can Be Proud’ Of Past, Future Investments To Improve Food Security
“Outside of immediate crisis relief,” such as the administration of measles vaccinations or oral rehydration therapy for children affected by diarrheal diseases, the U.S. government’s “past investments clearly are paying off” in the fight against drought and famine the Horn of Africa, former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) writes in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece. “U.S.-supported early-warning networks identified the famine threat a year ago,” the government is working with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the U.N. to lessen the risk of corruption and looting of food aid, and “the multi-year, multi-agency Feed the Future program [is] stimulat[ing] research into making plants more nutritious and crops more drought-resistant,” he notes.
‘Super Committee:’ What’s To Become Of Medicare, Medicaid?
Although President Barack Obama continues to make clear that, in his view, reforming these entitlement programs is necessary to find budget savings, one policy expert says such cuts might have very little impact on deficit spending. Meanwhile, news outlets report on how lobbyists are taking position in an effort to best advance their clients interests to the deficit panel.
Obama Expresses Confidence That SCOTUS Will Uphold Health Law
Days after a federal appeals court overturned the measure’s individual mandate, President Barack Obama said the Supreme Court will uphold the law if it follows legal precedents when considering it.
Dutch Government To Release $143M In Frozen Qaddafi Funds To Buy Medicine For Libya
In response “to an urgent appeal from the WHO,” Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal said on Monday that the country’s government is releasing $143 million “in frozen funds from Moammar Qaddafi’s regime and sending the money to the World Health Organization to buy medicine for the Libyan population,” according to Associated Press/Forbes. “Rosenthal said Monday he was able to free up the money only after [the] United Nations approved the plan, which will see medicines distributed to civilians in towns and cities held by both rebels and forces loyal to Qaddafi,” the AP writes (8/15).
Experts Fear Shrinking DOD Budget, Shifting AFRICOM Focus Could Threaten HIV Prevention Programs
A shrinking Department of Defense (DOD) budget and a shift in the focus of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) to “more traditional military threats” to national security, such as “preventing terrorist safe havens on the continent,” could affect the department’s HIV prevention programs, Stars and Stripes reports. While officials say there currently is no intent to cut HIV prevention programming, “those initiatives will come under more scrutiny as AFRICOM operates in a tougher budget environment, according to command officials,” the news service writes.
The Washington Post Explores Comparative Effectiveness Research
This type of research, referred to in shorthand as “CER,” is viewed by many as a way to solve the perplexing question of how to best treat the hundreds of common ailments that are part of day-to-day medicine.
Debate Emerges Regarding Benefit Of CT Scans For Lung Cancer
Some hospitals are offering discounted CT scans to worried smokers, leading experts to question whether it’s a marketing strategy or offers some health benefit.
Drug Prices: Medicare Shells Out More Than Medicaid
A government report concludes that the reason for the cost differential is because Medicaid discounts are set by law while Medicare prices are negotiated with private companies.
Georgia Creating Consumer-Focused Electronic Health Records System
With a federal grant in hand, the ultimate goal is that this program could result in a national trend, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Worries In Neb. About Exchange Deadlines; Federal Grant For Conn.
State officials are taking steps to involve the public and put systems in place by the Jan. 1, 2013 deadline.
Nursing Home, Hospice Pay Triggers Questions, Concern, Action
News outlets report on a range of issues related to Medicare payment of these facilities, including losses that are expected to result from a new payment rule for nursing homes and the lobbying effort being undertaken by hospiece facilities.
State Roundup: Health Insurance Ruling Reverberates; Calif.’s Aging Issues
News outlets report on a variety of state health policy issues.
A selection of editorials and opinions from around the country.
The Growing Field Of Hospital Medicine
The Connecticut Mirror reports that an increasing number of physicians are turning to hospital-based practice.
Health Care Incentives Included In New Rural Initiative
The Obama administration is launching a rural economic initiative that will affect rural doctors and hospitals.
Multistate Plans Should Face ‘Level Playing Field,’ Regulators Urge
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners expressed concern about a provision of the health law that could allow multistate insurance plans an advantage over smaller plans operating in health insurance exchanges.
