Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study Finds Flaws In Individual Mandate Alternatives Currently Under Discussion
The study, produced by the Center for American Progress, concludes that some alternative policies would leave millions of Americans without insurance.
Longer Looks: KHN’s Best Health Policy Picks From Thought-Provoking Publications
A new weekly feature, which will provide a selection of thought-provoking articles from a variety of sources. If you have seen anything you think we should include, please let us know: KHNnews@kff.org, and please put “Worth Reading” in the subject line.
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
College Health Plans Must Comply With Health Law’s ‘Central Provisions’
The Department of Health and Human Services made clear Wednesday that the nation’s colleges and universities would not be exempt from the requirements of the health overhaul.
States in the news include: Arizona, California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York and Texas.
Analyst Offers Prediction About Medicare Advantage Plans
The AP reports that reimbursement rates for 2012 will be flat, according to an analyst’s prediction.
Med-Mal Bill Hits ‘Speed Bump’ During House Judiciary Committee Consideration
The bill triggered concerns from committee Republicans over issues related to states’ rights. Still, the measure is likely to clear the panel next week.
Guide Designed To Help Hospitals Reduce Variation In Care
The American Hospital Association guide targets care such as end-of-life care, imaging, emergency services and obstetrics.
The National Journal reports on speculation that the GOP decision to advance a “clean” continuing resolution may signal that the Republican leadership is trying to move away from the partisan fight surrounding efforts to repeal the health law.
Family Planning Funds Targeted By GOP
The new Congress also continues to be embroiled in battles surrounding the issue of abortion restrictions, which GOP house lawmakers have made a priority.
First Edition: February 10, 2011
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how the legal skirmishes surrounding the health overhaul are heating up.
Virginia Wants SCOTUS Review Soon, Dems Ask Justice Thomas To Step Aside From Case
Virginia’s attorney general has asked the Supreme Court to expedite a review of the health law. Meanwhile, House Democrats sent a letter to Justice Clarence Thomas asking him to recuse himself.
“Babies who are exposed to HIV at birth but don’t become infected with the virus have lower levels of antibodies to diseases such as whooping cough, tetanus and pneumococcus,” according to a study published in the Feb. 9 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), HealthDay News/U.S. News & World Report (2/8). The findings “might explain in part why uninfected babies born to women with HIV have a higher risk of illness and death early in life,” according to a press release by the Imperial College of London, whose researchers helped lead the study.
Advocates Say Corporate Tax Havens Rob Developing Countries Of Revenue As World Social Forum Begins
Advocates at the World Social Forum in Dakar, Senegal, “launched a campaign Tuesday to end financial secrecy in tax havens by multinationals they say deprive developing countries of enormous sums of money,” Agence France-Presse reports (Boutreaux, 2/8).
The House Appropriations Committee “voted, 27-22, Tuesday evening to move ahead with Republican plans for cutting” $32 billion “from domestic and foreign aid spending over the last seven months of this fiscal year,” Politico reports (Rogers, 2/8).
World Bank Report Documents Rise Of Noncommunicable Diseases In S. Asia
“South Asia is facing a health crisis, with rising rates of heart disease, diabetes and obesity, and patients facing impoverishment as they pay for treatment out of their own pockets,” according to a report released Wednesday by the World Bank, Reuters reports (Lyn, 2/9).
GOP Advances Plan To Block Health Law Funding
Under the House Republicans’ plan, language to block money for the overhaul implementation would be attached as an amendment to a stop-gap spending bill necessary to finance the federal government for the rest of the year.
Media outlets report on a variety of implementation issues, including anti-trust concerns related to accountable care organizations as well as questions about the reform waiver process and a House committee chairman’s efforts to reverse Medicare advantage cuts.
State And Federal Efforts To Monitor Drug Prescriptions And Payments Face Challenges
The Center For Public Integrity reports on the challenges Medicare faces in trying to ensure that prescription drugs paid for by its contracting health plans are actually prescribed by doctors. Meanwhile, The Miami Herald chronicles the latest chapter in the ongoing story about the state’s pill mills.
