Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Prof. Tribe On Health Law Constitutionality; Repeal/Replace Rhetoric; Texas Abortion Law
Today’s viewpoints come from the New York Times, The Washington Post, The SEattle Times, the Des Moines Register, The Baltimore Sun the Star Tribune and the Houston Chronicle.
First Edition: February 8, 2011
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports news about possible tweaks to the CLASS Act, some Democrats’ new take on the health law’s individual mandate and GOP efforts to defund the overhaul.
Republican FY 2011 Budget Proposal To Be Introduced As Legislation Soon
On Capitol Hill this week, “Appropriations Chairman Harold Rogers, R-Ky., is expected to turn [the proposed] budget allocation into legislative language with specific allocations for federal agencies. That bill would then be brought to the House floor, setting the stage for a lengthy debate as conservative Republicans seek larger cuts than [Rep. Paul Ryan, (R-Wis).] proposed,” according to CQ (Goldfarb, 2/4).
Vatican To Host One-Day International HIV/AIDS Conference In May
The Vatican on Thursday announced it “will host an international conference in May on preventing [HIV/AIDS] and caring for those afflicted with it amid continued confusion over its position concerning condoms as a way to prevent HIV transmission,” the Associated Press reports.
France, FAO Call For Greater Regulation To Avert Food Riots
France, the current chair of the G20, and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) “warned on Friday about the risk of a new global food crisis and ensuing riots, calling for greater regulation to curb speculation on commodities markets,” Reuters reports.
Some House Republicans See Health Law As Prime Spot For Deep Budget Cuts
Even as GOP lawmakers advance their strategies, Dems see a plan of their own – they plan to cast Republicans as trying to take away patients’ rights. Meanwhile, physicians take to the Hill to press for medical liability reforms, with lots of lobbying money streaming in.
Is The Health Overhaul’s Individual Mandate The Law’s ‘Linchpin’?
NPR explores this question, which is increasingly central to discussions about the sweeping measure’s future. Meanwhile, The Boston Globe reports on the number of waivers given out by Massachusetts to state residents who sought an exemption from that state’s requirement to have health insurance.
Governors Continue To Face Serious Fiscal Issues, Health Programs At Risk
The struggle to balance state budgets will involve a long list of cuts
Congress Focuses On Cognitive Treatment For Troops With Traumatic Brain Injuries
ProPublica reports on a group of lawmakers who are urging that the Pentagon’s health plan cover a specific treatment for these injured soldiers.
California, Georgia, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Colorado are in the news today.
Health Care Fraud: No Longer A Faceless Crime, Now It Has A Mug Shot
The AP reports on the changing approaches to catching the perpetrators of health care fraud and abuse.
Executive Wellness A Legit Corporate Expense
The Baltimore Sun reports on one company’s approach to keeping their executives healthy.
Abortion Issues Will Take Center Stage This Week In The House
Two House subcommittees are scheduled to hold hearings on separate pieces of legislation that would expand restrictions on federal funding for abortions.
Viewpoints: (Still) Debating Health Law’s Constitutionality; Food Labels; Lawmakers’ Abortion Divide
Opinions and editorials from around the country.
First Edition: February 7, 2011
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how states face major budget challenges — with health policy at the heart of the issue.
Health Reform Law Court Decision Sparks More Political Maneuvering
As some news outlets cover the fallout from the Florida court decision on the legality of the health law, others examine aspects of the law, including the provision about “mini-med” insurance plans.
Studies Show Growing Problems Of Non-Communicable Diseases In Low-, Middle-Income Countries
“Obesity rates have doubled worldwide since 1980,” according to a study published Friday as part of a series in the Lancet that also looked at global blood pressure and cholesterol trends, ABC News reports (Carolo, 2/4). “The data show that in 2008 one in three adults in the world was overweight (BMI ?25 kg/m2) and one in nine adults was obese (BMI ?30 kg/m2). Since 1980 the average body mass index (BMI) has increased in all regions, but now middle income countries have caught up with high income countries,” BMJ News writes.
