Latest KFF Health News Stories
Budget Cuts Could Damage Obama Administration’s Plans To Beef Up State Department, USAID
Due to Congress’ proposals to cut spending for the State Department, the Obama administration is increasingly looking toward new funding mechanisms, referred to as blended funds, that pull from Defense Department budgets for activities in Iraq and Afghanistan, CQ reports. But that strategy could “undercut the Obama administration’s efforts to create a more robust State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)” and “create significant congressional oversight challenges,” the news service adds.
U.S., S. Korea In Talks Over How To Respond To Food Aid Request By N. Korea
The U.S. continues to evaluate whether to resume food aid to North Korea amid reports of food shortages in the country, Agence France-Presse reports.
Amid growing concerns over the increasing number of people fleeing from escalating violence in Cote d’Ivoire, the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) on Friday announced plans to boost food aid to tens of thousands of displaced people and the families hosting them in other countries, AlertNet reports (Fominyen, 3/12).
Public Opinion Turns Political Dynamics Of Health Reform
Politico reports that Republican presidential and congressional candidates may talk about the federal health law more than some Democrats – except, of course, when Democrats praise former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney for signing his home state’s law.
Waivers Continue To Be Flashpoints In Health Overhaul’s Implementation
More than 1,040 waiver requests have been approved so far by the Department of Health and Human Services regarding so-called “mini-med” plans. But the perplexing question appears to be how HHS will handle the requests in 2012 and 2013, before a major provision of the health law takes effect. In addition, anticipation continues to mount in regard to the upcoming release of ACO regs.
LA Times: Q & A With Surgeon General Regina Benjamin
The surgeon general applies lessons she learned when practicing medicine in rural Alabama to the nation’s health.
Hospice Care Often Provides Benefits For Survivors, Too
A pair of Chicago Sun-Times stories outline new research findings regarding hospice care. Meanwhile, an Arizona lawmaker pushes to restore hospice care to the category of Medicaid-covered services, arguing that the care is not only better, but more cost-effective.
Documents Show Blue Shield Of Calif.’s Rate Increases Could Exceed 85%
Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, Blue Cross Blue Shield is under the microscope for its executive pay; and, in Colorado, some insurers are being pressed by consumer groups to offer rebates because of large cash surpluses.
State Roundup: Medicaid Cuts Cause Unusual Bedfellows
A roundup of news from Minnesota, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Arizona, New York, Kansas and Pennsylvania.
GOP Emphasizing Need For States To Lead On Health Reform
A leading Senate Republican said Friday that the welfare reforms put in place during the 1990s, which gave states considerable flexibility, should be used as the model for the shape of a health law replacement plan.
Despite Partisan Clashes, Political Climate Open To ‘Adult’ Budget Debate
Media outlets report that no such serious discussion can be held without including entitlement programs such as Medicare, but public opinion continues to be a wild card that could undermine momentum. And, as the latest short-term, current-year spending bill nears its expiration, Stateline reports that the main state-level safety net programs like Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program would not be impacted by a government shutdown.
Viewpoints: Sebelius, Harkin, Wyden, King, Altman, Butler Weigh In On Health Reform Law
A variety of viewpoints today, especially from Washington.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the major issues that continue to rise to the surface in the health overhaul debate.
Pawlenty Assails Government-Run Health Care In N.H. Trip
At an appearance before doctors at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, former Minnesota governor points to problems in Medicare and Medicaid to criticize new federal health law. Several doctors challenge his views.
Appeals Court Agrees To Expedite Florida Suit Against Health Law
Court says it will quickly consider federal judge’s ruling that the overhaul is unconstitutional. But it says it has not yet decided if the initial review will be held before all 10 judges on the court.
Several Republican lawmakers said Thursday that the Obama administration should “deny North Korea’s request for food aid” because of concerns that it would support Kim Jong-Il’s regime, Agence France-Presse reports (Tandon, 3/10).
FY12 State Department Funding Request Cannot Be Fulfilled, House Foreign Ops Committee Chair Says
It “will not be possible” to meet the funding request for the State Department in President Barack Obama’s FY12 budget proposal, Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas), chair of the House State-Foreign Operations Subcommittee, said at a hearing on Thursday, CQ reports. However, Granger said there are still ways for the House and State Department to “maintain an effective and efficient diplomatic and development capability.”
External Panel Issues Draft Report Saying WHO Response To H1N1 Lacked Cohesion, Clarity
An independent panel of experts commissioned by the WHO to probe its response to the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic on Thursday released a draft report (.pdf) stating that while the organization performed well in many ways, it made “crucial mistakes” and “warned tens of millions could die if there is a severe flu outbreak in the future,” the Associated Press reports (3/10).
GOP Budget Choices: Offer Politically Risky Medicare, Medicaid Cuts Or ‘Play It Safe’?
House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan signals that he is “ready to take on health programs” as Capitol Hill continues to struggle with long-term spending concerns. Meanwhile, lawmakers continue talks regarding the current year spending measure still under consideration.
