Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health care stories from around the country, including from Texas, Florida, California, Georgia, Minnesota, Maryland, Washington state and Wisconsin.
Health Plans Cut Out Expensive Doctors And Hospitals
The Los Angeles Times reports that thousands of California employers are cutting back on insurance expenses by restricting access to expensive doctors and hospitals. Also, Bloomberg looks at which companies are getting money from the new federal health law for retiree expenses, including some major U.S. corporations.
Romney Defends Mass. Health Law But Says It Doesn’t Diminish His Opposition To Federal Law
Former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney this weekend fired back at Democrats, who have often pointed to the state health reform plan he implemented as a model for the national law. Also, House Republicans take a close look at AARP, and one GOP lawmaker is suggesting health care changes he would like to see.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations includes reports about Republican lawmakers’ plans to make dramatic changes to Medicare and Medicaid as they seek to cut $4 trillion from the budget over the next 10 years.
Ryan: Major Changes For Medicare, Medicaid In GOP’s 2012 Budget
Even as Congress faces a showdown this week on 2011 federal spending, both parties are gearing for the 2012 budget battle.
FDA Releases Rules For Restaurants To Provide Calorie Information
The regulation, which was required by the new health law, forces chain restaurants, convenience stories and vending machines to post information for food products. But it does not cover movie theaters — and that butter soaked popcorn — as well as alcoholic beverages served in restaurants.
Lack Of Doctors Accepting Medicaid Could Complicate Health Overhaul
As pressure mounts on state Medicaid budgets, the New York Times examines whether the programs can handle the influx expected under the new health law. And The Hill looks at the latest waivers awarded by the administration for insurance plans that don’t meet the requirements of the law.
South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland Form Alliance To Fight MDR-TB
Health ministers from Lesotho, Swaziland and South Africa said they have formed an alliance to fight drug-resistant tuberculosis, Deutsche Presse-Agentur/M&C reports.
The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere on Thursday “approved by voice vote a bill (HR 1016) that would require the Obama administration to report to Congress within six months on the handling of U.S. funds for combating a cholera outbreak that occurred after last year’s earthquake in Haiti,” CQ reports.
FAO Report Highlights Concern Over ‘Slow-Onset’ Climate Change Effects On Food Security
“Slow-onset” climate changes could have a bigger impact in developing countries in the future, including “potentially catastrophic” effects on food production, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Thursday in a report (.pdf) for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, The Hindu reports (Parsai, 4/1).
In a hearing regarding the FY12 budget before the House Appropriations State and Foreign Operations subcommittee earlier this week, USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah highlighted the possible impact of the FY11 budget cuts currently being debated in Congress, Foreign Policy’s “The Cable” blog reports.
The Economist Examines Factors Contributing To Antimicrobial Resistance
“Antibiotic resistance has now become a costly and dangerous problem,” The Economist writes in an article examining the factors that have contributed to the global rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria, ahead of next week’s World Health Day dedicated to the issue.
The deaths of more than one million mothers and newborns could be prevented if the shortage of 350,000 trained midwives in developing countries could be met, according to a Save the Children report (.pdf) released on Friday, Reuters reports.
ACO Rule Outlines ‘Gains And Risks’ For Doctors, Hospitals
At the regulation’s Thursday release, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and CMS Administrator Donald Berwick offering insights into how the administration hopes to encourage doctors and hospitals to collaborate more closely to improve patient care.
A Minneapolis hospital and California physician group association react to the ACO regulations.
Hispanic Population Health Issues Portend Challenges For Health Care System
The National Journal reports on what researchers call the “immigrant effect.”
IOM Panel Urges More Research On Health Issues Facing Gays
A Institute of Medicine report calls for more study of health conditions and disparities facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
The Wall Street Journal: Pfizer, Glaxo Detail Fees Paid To Doctors
Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline disclosed fees paid to doctors and institutions for work on clinical trials, consulting and other items.
Courtroom Action: June 8 Will Mark Important Date For Health Law
That’s the day when oral arguments will be heard regarding the Obama administration’s 11th Circuit appeal of the ruling in the multi-state challenge to the health overhaul.
