Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study: Health Insurers Consolidate Market Power
Meanwhile, Aetna mailed letters Tuesday to notify customers in Colorado that it will be exiting the individual market there.
Blue Shield Of California Agrees To Postpone Rate Increase
With this announcement, Blue Shield joins other large California insurers – Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna and PacifiCare – in agreeing to the delay.
Many Employers Receive Waivers From Health Law’s Requirements
The Wall Street Journal reports on the many exemptions granted by the federal government. Meanwhile, Politico reports on the Obama administration’s pick to head the HHS Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, an office that will be key to the “reform effort.”
Health Law Ruling Draws Different State Reactions
State officials are sorting a legal decision issued Monday by a federal judge in Florida overturning the health law. Their challenge is to determine how and whether to proceed with their implementation responsibilities. Some, like Florida’s governor, appear to favor taking steps to stall its progress.
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Legal Decision Triggers Political Twists
News outlets report on some of the political issues surrounding the individual mandate and Monday’s legal decision striking down the health law.
Roundup: Fla., Texas, Minn., Ga., Conn., Mass. Officials Examine State Health Programs
A roundup of state news, especially focusing on Medicaid programs.
First Edition: February 2, 2011
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including more coverage of Monday’s federal court ruling on the health law, with additional analysis about its impact and how stakeholders at the state level, in Congress and in the business community are responding.
Senate GOP Leaders Advance Efforts To Force Health Law Repeal Vote
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., plans to offer a “repeal” amendment to an unrelated piece of legislation.
Bill Gates’ Annual Letter Calls For Focus On Eradicating Polio, Governments To Sustain Foreign Aid
Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, “urged developed nations to help him wipe out polio ‘once and for all’ at an event to release his third annual letter [.pdf] Monday,” Agence France-Presse reports.
Daily Report Global Health Conversations: Reflections On Haiti’s Health System
January 12 marked one year since a major earthquake struck Haiti killing hundreds of thousands and significantly damaging its capital city, Port-au-Prince. To learn more about how the quake has affected health care in Haiti and get a sense of health priorities moving forward, Jaclyn Schiff of the Kaiser Daily Global Health Policy Report spoke with Wesler Lambert, a Haitian-born physician who has worked with Partners in Health/Zanmi Lasante since 1997.
At AU Summit, U.N. Secretary-General Calls For More Efforts To Empower Women, Stop Sexual Violence
On the final day of the two-day African Union (AU) Summit taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called for greater efforts to reduce sexual violence, particularly during armed conflicts, Ezega.com reports (Barea, 1/31).
FAO Monthly Food Price Index Expected To Remain High
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) monthly food price index for January is expected to be at a similar level to the record highs measured in December’s index, Abdolreza Abbassian, an economist with the agency, said on Monday, Reuters reports. “FAO’s expectation is that the January index would be very close or slightly below December,” Abbassian said ahead of the release of FAO’s monthly food index, which is due to be published on February 3.
Federal Judge In Florida Rules Health Law Unconstitutional
With this decision, U.S. District Court Judge Roger Vinson issued the first opinion to strike down the entire health overhaul as various legal challenges to the sweeping measure continue to wind their way to the Supreme Court.
In-Depth Analysis Of Health Law Decision
News outlets examine how constitutional issues, most notably the Commerce Clause, are central to the health law and its journey to the nation’s highest court. Meanwhile, The Associated Press offers insights into Judge Vinson’s own experiences with the health system.
A selection of editorials and opinions from around the country, including from The Wall Street Journal, Politico and The New York Times.
Strategies To Improve Care Include Targeting Hospital Spending, Reducing Hospital Infections
News outlets examine new studies that detail how some hospital-based efforts may lead to improved care.
Some Insurers Join Forces For Health Law Lobbying Efforts
Bloomberg reports that executives from companies such as UnitedHealth and WellPoint meet with peers in an “informal allegiance” aimed at “blunting parts” of the health law.
GOP Proposal Draws Ire From Abortion Rights Supporters
The Washington Post reports on why a new legislative plan has angered some women’s organizations.
