Latest KFF Health News Stories
Roundup: N.Y., Texas, Calif. Medicaid Plans Spark Protests; Conn. Nursing Homes; Fla. Medical Board
A roundup of health care news from Texas, California, New York, Massachusetts, Arizona, Connecticut and Florida.
Obama Administration Contemplates Requirement That Insurers Offer Free Contraceptives
The NY Times reports on an Obama administration examination to see if the health law can be used to extend insurance coverage related to family planning services for women.
Does Trend Toward Consolidation Risk Health Care Cost Controls?
The Fiscal Times investigates how market consolidation in the health insurance industry could be a hurdle to the health overhaul.
House Republicans Consider New Medicare Limits
The Journal reports on discussions among House Republicans regarding the possibility of proposing new limits on entitlement programs such as Medicare.
Health Law: Senate Judiciary Hearing Offers Preview Of Possible Supreme Court Arguments
Senate Democrats held a hearing Wednesday at which Senators and witnesses debated the constitutionality of the health overhaul.
And The Oversight Committee Investigations Begin…
Making good on a promise to investigate funding, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., has launched an inquiry into the comparative Effectiveness research budget.
The ‘Catastrophic’ Experience: Is The Past Prologue?
California Healthline draws parallels between the fight over the Medicare Catastrophic Care Act and the current health reform battles.
After The Ruling: States Grapple With Implementation Decisions
Experts continue to analyze the potential meanings and impacts of a federal judge’s ruling earlier this week that the health law is unconstitutional and states find themselves in the hotseat as they make plans to move forward or stall their implementation progress.
Viewpoints: Dem Lawmakers On Fighting Repeal; Debating Judge Vinson’s Impact; Medicaid Cuts
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
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.
First Edition: February 3, 2011
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the Senate GOP-led failed vote to repeal the health law.
On Party-Line Vote, Health Reform Repeal Fails In the Senate
News outlets reported on the Republican-sponsored repeal measure, which was defeated in 47-51 vote. But a small piece of the law was repealed.
Senate Republicans Pushing For Health Law Repeal Vote Today
The action, expected this evening, is expected to be largely symbolic because Senate Democrats are confident they can defeat the GOP amendment in a procedural vote.
“Stockpiling antiviral flu drugs and vaccines saves lives and reduces disease in a flu pandemic,” but the cost to maintain such a stockpile and deploy interventions in the event of an outbreak “is too expensive for around two thirds of the world’s population, scientists said on Wednesday,” Reuters reports.
Three studies published on Tuesday in PLoS Medicine show that “intermittent use of preventive antimalarial drugs can be beneficial in curbing the spread of the disease in children,” Agence France-Presse reports (2/1).
African First Ladies Gather To Discuss HIV/AIDS
On the sidelines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Monday, the General Assembly of the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) gathered to discuss the continent’s progress against HIV/AIDS, Walta Info reports.
Politico examines how Republicans’ proposed budget cuts could affect foreign aid funding. The House Republican majority has recommended combining President Barack Obama’s “State and foreign aid requests with ‘nonsecurity’ domestic spending and to cut appropriations to 2008 levels.” According to Politico, “[t]he result could be a $16 billion, or nearly one-third, reduction in the resources available to State, which finds itself pitted against domestic programs also facing the ax.”
Analyzing The Health Law’s ‘Prognosis’
As experts continue to parse the specifics of a federal Judge’s Monday ruling striking down the health overhaul, experts speculate about what the Supreme Court could decide. Meanwhile, insurers, health industry stakeholders and even state officials mull their next steps.
New Findings: For-Profit Hospices May Choose Cheaper-To-Treat Patients
These facilities tend to treat more patients with dementia and other non-cancer diagnoses, according to the new report.
