Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including previews of what will likely be in President Obama’s deficit-reduction proposal, which he is scheduled to outline at a speech this afternoon.
HHS: New Patient Safety Initiative Will Save Lives, Reduce Health Care Costs
The $1 billion Partnership for Patients is designed to help save 63,000 lives and up to $35 billion in health care costs over the next three years.
Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency on Tuesday “raised the level of severity at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant from 5 to 7
Administering cholera vaccines to people in Haiti who live in high-risk areas could drive down the number of cholera infections and deaths in the country, according to a study published Monday in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Nature News reports. The study is the latest to weigh in on the impact such vaccination efforts could have on reducing the spread of the disease, which has sickened 274,418 people and led to the deaths of 4,787 in Haiti, according to the publication (Brower, 4/11).
The House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday released details of the spending deal “struck with Senate Democrats and the White House to avert a government shutdown and cut nearly $40 billion in government spending,” CQ reports.
Global Fund Executive Director Describes ‘Psychological Effect’ Of Suspended Donations
While in Brussels on Monday, Michel Kazatchkine, executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, spoke about the potential effects several countries’ decisions to temporarily suspend payments to the Geneva-based fund could have on recipient countries, Reuters reports.
Obama Deficit Plan Likely A ‘Sharp Contrast’ To GOP Approach
On Medicare, President Barack Obama is expected to provide less taxpayer money for health care providers and to allocate more costs to beneficiaries. However, his plan is not likely to “deeply” slash Medicare, Medicaid or other domestic programs.
Spending Deal Details Emerge, Measure Could Face Rough Ride In The House
As news outlets report on some of the specific cuts counted in the last-minute budget deal, some signs indicate that House consideration of the delicate compromise could be rocky because it doesn’t place more limits on abortion funding or “defund” the new health law.
Politics Mark Mass. Health Reform Anniversary
The confluence of the fifth anniversary along with Romney’s informal steps toward a presidential run add interest to the developments.
Hospitals Spar In Takeover Bid
The tough talk involved in Community Health’s bid to take over Tenet involves fraud allegations.
Viewpoints On Ryan Plan: Solution Or ‘Absurd’?
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Missouri’s Democratic Attorney General Opposes Health Law
Chris Koster, the state’s A.G., urged a federal judge on Monday to rule against the health law’s individual mandate.
Diagnostic Imaging Industry Reponds To MedPAC Recommendations
The imaging lobby is “pushing back” on recommendations that would require doctors to get prior authorization before referring patients for some imaging scans.
Software Key In Fed’s Health Care Fraud Crack Down
The Dallas Morning News reports on how software that performs “predictive modeling analysis” will help the government sift through more than $500 billion a year in Medicare claims.
Medicare Chief Rebukes GOP Plan To Overhaul Medicare
Speaking at the American Hospital Association’s annual meeting, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Donald Berwick said Medicare was “viable” and the cuts to the program were not the answer to reducing the deficit.
State Roundup: Bitter Ad Battle Marks Debate On Vermont Health Plan
Today’s news includes reports from Texas, Minnesota, Louisiana and Vermont.
Does Supply-Side Economics Work In Tight State Budgets?
As states wrestle with increasing health costs, there is concern about who is bearing the brunt of cuts, the Los Angeles Times reports. Meanwhile, setting up the health insurance marketplaces, called exchanges, is proving to be complicated.
Report Shows Disparities In End-Of-Life Care
The New York Times reports on a new report released this week by Darmouth researchers.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including details of what made up the short-term budget deal’s $38 billion in cuts and how President Obama’s longer term budget vision may take shape.
