Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about mini-med plans and accountable care organizations as well as the ongoing impasse in Congress regarding current year spending.
GOP Presidential Candidates Lash Out At Health Law
In Iowa meeting, several high-profile Republicans renew opposition to health overhaul, the Associated Press reports.
McDonnell Calls For Quick Review By Supreme Court Of Health Law
In the Republicans’ weekly address, Virginia governor says the sooner the case gets to the Supreme Court the better.
Gates Discusses Foundation’s Global Health Priorities In India During Visit To Country
During a visit to the Indian state of Bihar, Bill Gates, co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, on Thursday discussed his foundation’s work in India and global health priorities, ANI/Sify News reports (3/24).
Science Magazine Reports On Recent Push To Make Preventing, Treating Cancer A Global Priority
Science Magazine reports on the recent push to make preventing and treating cancer a global priority, particularly in developing countries, where it’s estimated “less than 5% of the world’s cancer resources are [currently] spent.”
U.S. TB Cases Reach All-Time Low, But Eradication Target Missed, CDC Says
“The number of tuberculosis cases in the United States reached an all-time low last year, with only 11,181 cases reported to public health authorities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” the Los Angeles Times’ “Booster Shots” blog reports.
China To Implement Ban On Smoking In Indoor Public Spaces
Chinese health officials this week announced the country will move forward in May with a ban on smoking in all indoor public spaces “in an effort to shield the world’s most populous nation … from the harmful effects of the habit,” Reuters reports. The plan will “require businesses to display prominent no-smoking signs, forbid vending machines from selling cigarettes and ensure that designated outdoor smoking zones not affect pedestrian traffic, according to a ministry statement reported in Chinese media on Thursday,” the news service writes (Wee, 3/24).
Financial Times Examines Rise In Public, Private Sector Global Partnerships For Aid Delivery
“New models of financing and delivering development programmes are bringing far-reaching changes to the international public sector,” with “[t]raditional government-to-government transactions
Health Law’s Retiree Health Plans, Exchanges, Waivers Draw Scrutiny
A congressional report found that the retiree health plan could run out of money as soon as this year. Meanwhile, the health overhaul’s insurance exchanges create a challenge for GOP governors.
Lawmakers Continue To Tussle Over Short- And Long-Term Budget Issues
Momentum appears to building for efforts to address record budget deficits by reining in spending on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Meanwhile, as both parties agree they need to reach a deal to provide funding to keep the government functioning in the the current year, legislative riders that would impose restrictions on federal agencies and cut off funding for Planned Parenthood continue to trip up their progress.
Today’s news includes reports from Massachusetts, Vermont, California, Texas and Florida.
Viewpoints: Deconstructing A $65,515 Bill; ‘Puzzling’ Health Reform; Good News On America’s Health
A selection of opinions, editorials and columns.
N.Y., Fla. Lawmakers Consider Med-Mal Damage Caps
In New York, the issue is among the most contentious and is tied to the state’s budget, which must be completed by April 1. In Florida, the measure approved by the state’s appropriation’s panel is matched by a similar version moving in the Senate. Both are part of an effort to overhaul Florida’s Medicaid program.
Health Law Continues To Create State-Level ‘Partisan Strife’
Discussions and debate in Louisiana, Kansas and Colorado included buzz words such as “government takeover” and “stalemate,” as well as the concept of opting out.
OPM To Insurers: Provide Wellness Program Incentives
The Washington Post reports that an Office of Personnel Management official signaled to companies that participate in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program that they should take steps to encourage healthy lifestyles.
Aetna Sues N.J. Doctors, Pricing Central Issue
Bloomberg reports that the lawsuits could help determine the pricing limits insurance companies could place on physicians who remain out of network.
Fraud Updates Sought By Top Senate Finance Members
Top members of the Senate Finance Committee have asked the Obama administration for frequent progress reports on its work to cut down on fraud and abuse in health programs.
Longer Looks: Behind The Hospital Money Curtain; Medical Data Breaches
Today’s offering of in-depth health policy news includes stories from Scientific American, Modern Healthcare, American Medical News and Salon and O, The Oprah Magazine.
Research Roundup: Parents’ Knowledge Of Kids’ Coverage
Today’s research reports come from the American Journal of Public Health, the Institute of Medicine, The Kaiser Family Foundation, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Center for Studying Health System Change and the Urban Institute.
