Latest KFF Health News Stories
EU Parliament Approves Resolution Calling For Countries To Revise Pandemic Response
On the heels of the release of a draft report by an independent panel of experts examining the WHO’s response to H1N1 (swine flu), BMJ News reports on a recently approved resolution and accompanying report released by the European Union parliament that calls on EU countries to revise their flu prevention plans “to make them more effective, coherent, and flexible” and for the WHO to revise its definition of pandemic to take into account not only geographical spread of disease but also severity.
U.S. Aid Has Been Reaching Libya, U.S. Officials Say
Though safety concerns have prevented U.S. disaster experts from entering Libya and seeing the situation first-hand, State Department officials said Monday that U.S. partners have been dispensing aid, CNN reports.
Nuclear Fallout-Related Health Fears Rise In Japan
Concerns regarding health risks “rose dramatically in Japan Tuesday” after officials said more radiation was released at a nuclear power plant that was damaged in the tsunami, the Associated Press reports. In an address to the nation, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said radiation had been emitted from four reactors. “The level seems very high, and there is still a very high risk of more radiation coming out,” he said.
It’s The Health Law’s Birthday And Not Everyone Is Celebrating
The health overhaul’s first anniversary – just about a week away – is already being marked on Capitol Hill with hearings and other events related to exploring, complimenting and criticizing the law’s implementation.
GOP Rebellion Takes Shape Around Short-Term Spending Bill
Although the measure must be passed in order to avert a government shutdown, some Republicans are frustrated because they say that the bill does not go far enough in terms of spending cuts, and that it does not include controversial riders to defund the health law and Planned Parenthood.
A Medicare Mistake: Paying For Viagra
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General concluded that the program paid more than $3 million in 2007 and 2008 for this drug, even though it is against the law for Medicare to pay for Viagra prescriptions.
Pentagon Plans To Target Tricare Spending
Costs in the generous military health care program are “exploding” and expected to reach $65 billion in the next five years while insuring 9.6 million people, according to The Washington Post.
RNs Step Up To Meet Need For Geriatric Care
The Sacramento Bee reports on this workforce development.
Washington Post: Doctors Slow To Switch To Electronic Health Records
Despite cash incentives, physicians have been slow adapters.
State Roundup: Fla. Seeks MLR Waiver; Hospitals Struggle
Health care news from Conn., Texas, Florida, Mass., South Carolina, Penn., Alabama and Calif.
$10 Million In CDC Grants Awarded To Combat Hospital-Acquired Infections
According to The Hill, an estimated one of every 20 hospital patients contracts some kind of infection during their treatment. The CDC funds predate the health law.
Efforts Take Shape To Simplify End-Of-Life Wishes, Improve Care
Media outlets report on developments related to end-of-life care.
Improving Care For Medicaid’s Sickest 5% Could Help Reduce Funding Gap
Politico reports that the Obama administration is targeting this very needy population, many of whom are known as dual eligibles, for better care because – although their numbers are actually quite small – the amount of program money they use is quite large.
Viewpoints: Texas’ Painful Budget Cuts; Congress ‘Should’ Attack Deficit, Medicare Costs
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Obama Administration Wants To Slow Down On Health Law Challenges
Press reports indicate the federal government took this position in court papers filed Monday.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the pace of legal challenges to the health law as well as ongoing congressional attempts to reach partisan agreement on a short-term budget bill to avert a government shutdown.
U.N. Officials Highlight Lack Of Access To Humanitarian Aid In Libya
Three-quarters of Libya was still unable to access humanitarian aid last week, Catherine Bragg, the U.N.’s deputy emergency relief coordinator, said on Thursday, the Canadian Press reports.
