Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the outcome in yesterday’s special election in New York, and what it might mean for Republicans and their Medicare plan.
Russia Spent More Than $80M In Health-Related Foreign Aid In 2010, Report Says
The Russian Federation in 2010 spent more than $80 million to improve health in developing countries, according to a report prepared by the country’s Ministry of Finance highlighting “how the country is meeting its G8 commitments ahead of the upcoming summit in Deauville, France,” the Moscow Times reports.
Better Malaria Diagnostic Test May Cause Unintended Increase In Antibiotic Use, Study Says
Though the implementation of rapid malaria tests has reduced the administration of unnecessary antimalarial medications in the Tanzanian capital of Dar es Salaam, “antibiotic prescriptions for fever rose by nearly a quarter, from 49 to 72 percent, raising fears that the behaviour will contribute to growing antibiotic resistance,” according to a study published in Malaria Journal last month, SciDev.Net reports.
AFP Examines Expansion Of Indian Drug Companies In South Africa
Agence France-Presse examines how Indian drug companies have infiltrated the South African market over the last few years in an effort to have broader reach in Africa. India’s pharmaceutical industry is now the second largest in the world by volume, according to AFP.
Inter Press Service examines the global funding shortfall for antiretroviral treatment programs for people living with HIV/AIDS, noting that the U.N. General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS next month in New York “will shape the direction of the global response to HIV and AIDS for the next decade and beyond.”
OPINION: Global Food Security Requires ‘Results-Driven Development’ Approach
“As we work to develop solutions to the challenge of global food security, it’s essential that we focus on results-driven development in both the public and private sectors,” Chris Policinski, president and CEO of Land O’Lakes, Inc., and chair of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s Business Advisory Council, writes on The Hill’s “Congress Blog.”
Representatives of member nations at the World Health Assembly in Geneva “on Monday held a stormy discussion on the future of smallpox virus samples, which Russia and the United States are seeking to preserve while others want them destroyed,” Agence France-Presse reports.
Global Fund Freezes Grants To China Over Suspected Misuse Of Funds
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has frozen “payments of grants to China worth hundreds of millions of dollars over suspected misuse of the money and the government’s reluctance to involve community groups in the projects,” the Associated Press reports (5/24).
Senate GOP Faces Tricky Vote On House-Passed Budget
Democratic leaders are terming this week’s Senate vote on the House-passed Ryan budget, including its proposal to revamp Medicare, a “defining issue.”
With NY Special Election Down To The Wire, Republicans ‘Brace For Blowback’
Although the special election is taking place in a normally conservative district, some say the vote will be a referendum on the Ryan Medicare plan.
Doctors Report Hundreds Of New Cholera Cases In Dominican Republic
A cholera outbreak in the Dominican Republic appears to be spreading and health officials are reporting hundreds of new cases, the Associated Press/Washington Post reports.
Viewpoints: Pawlenty Weighs In; Entitlement Reform Dominating GOP Politics
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Abortion Rates Decline, Except Among Poor Women
The overall rate dropped 8 percent between 2000 and 2008, but rose about 18 percent among the nation’s poorest women.
State Roundup: Texas Overhauls Hospital Payments
News outlets report on state health policy issues.
Federal Officials Review Indiana’s Planned Parenthood Law
The measure limits some public funding for Planned Parenthood of Indiana, which could lead federal officials to withhold some federal funds for that state as well as others that restrict funds from abortion providers.
Debt Limit Talks Move To Topic Of Finding Savings In Medicare, Medicaid
In related news, projections released last week by Medicare’s chief actuary concluded that spending on physician and hospital services will be significantly higher than expected if Congress reverses scheduled reductions in Medicare payments.
GOP Leaders Ask Governors For Ideas On Medicaid Savings, Improvements
Meanwhile, Rhode Island’s Medicaid block grant experiment draws attention, as do efforts in other states to reduce Medicaid’s rolls.
As Implementation Continues, Poll Finds Public View Of Law Improving
Also, a number of states – Indiana, Washington, Rhode Island and Kansas – continue to wrestle with the formation of health exchanges.
Pawlenty, Gingrich Offer Views On Medicare, Entitlement Programs
Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty formally announced his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination with a pledge to reinvent programs like Medicare in order to tackle the nation’s fiscal difficulties. Meanwhile, another GOP candidate – Newt Gingrich – continued his efforts to explain his remarks about the Medicare overhaul plan advanced by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the Senate’s upcoming vote on the House-passed GOP budget, the run-up to today’s special congressional election in New York and details on the Medicare positions being taken by Republican presidential hopefuls.
