Latest KFF Health News Stories
Poll Shows Public View Evenly Divided On Health Overhaul
Politico reports that nearly identical percentages of respondents say the health law is either the best or the worst thing President Barack Obama has done since taking office. Meanwhile, in a separate story, a Blue Cross Exec defends the health law’s individual mandate, saying that dropping it would “create a dangerous set of conditions.”
California Insurance Commissioner Puts Insurers In The Hot Seat
News outlets detail how California’s new insurance commissioner has taken a strong stance against insurers who propose increases for rates on individual policies.
Health Care Budgets At Risk In States’ Fiscal Squeeze
News outlets report on the various funding difficulties health programs and facilities are facing in the current budget climate.
Reuters: Surgical Checklists Reduce Medical Errors – And Could Cut Malpractice Claims
Reuters reports on the findings from a study done in the Netherlands.
Study: Health Advocacy Groups Don’t Always Disclose Drug Company Funding
The researchers noted that since these lobbying organizations often urge greater access to new drugs and treatments, these contributions should be made public.
Roundup: Texas Insurance Exchange Proposal; Ill. Safety Net Hole; Iowa Abortion Decision
today, Texas, Illinois and Iowa have health care news.
Medicare Advisory Panel Urges Co-Pay For Home Health Visits
The Medicare Payment Advisory Panel recommended this policy as a means to discourage overuse of home health services, which are estimated to cost taxpayers nearly $20 billion a year and are also a source of health care fraud. Meanwhile, another story, this one from WBUR, offers tips for Medicare “wellness” visits.
Detroit Hospital System To Spend $30 Million On Facility Improvements
In other hospital-related news, Bloomberg reports that the hospital where Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., is being treated has sued the federal government over Medicare payments and medical residency slots. KHN has a story on efforts to curb hospital emergency department crowding.
Federal Advisers Hold Forum To Begin Determining Health Exchanges’ ‘Essential Benefits’
The Institute of Medicine held a forum this week in which advocates could offer input regarding what types of medical services should be included in the insurance plans that are offered on the exchanges created by the new health law.
Opinions and editorials from around the country.
Today’s research roundup includes studies from the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Cancer, the Archives of Internal Medicine, Health Affairs, the Kaiser Family Foundation, Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, and the CDC.
First Edition: January 14, 2011
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizationsm, including reports that House GOP leaders are poised to return to work on repealing the health law. A vote has been scheduled for next week.
USDA Revises Corn, Soybean Crop Estimates Driving Up Prices
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Wednesday “reported that last year’s corn and soybean crop was smaller than its earlier estimates,” Minnesota Public Radio reports. “As a result, prices for corn, soybeans and wheat are rising quickly, sparking concern about higher food prices” (Steil, 1/13).
News Outlets Examine Reaction To WHO Plan To Contain Drug-Resistant Malaria
In follow-up coverage of the WHO’s announcement Wednesday of a plan to contain the spread of artemisinin-resistant malaria, news outlets examined the scope of the problem, reactions to the plan and speculations by some of how the anticipated $175 million annual cost would be funded.
World Marks Haiti Earthquake Anniversary
Wednesday marked the one-year anniversary since a massive earthquake struck Haiti, the Miami Herald reports. “At 4:53 p.m., Haiti fell silent. It was a rare quiet time
Women’s eNews Examines Launch Of U.N. Women
Women’s eNews examines U.N.’s new agency U.N. Women, which officially got off the ground on Jan. 3. According to the news service, U.N. Women’s “Manhattan headquarters remain unoccupied, said U.N. Women spokesperson Gretchen Luchsinger”; employees from the previous U.N. entities that focused on women’s issues remain in “scattered offices around the U.N. Secretariat building”; and “[s]even high-level staff positions” remain unfilled.
GOP Leaders Reformulate Strategies To Undo Health Law
Republican House leaders are contemplating ways to proceed with their planned health law repeal vote. Meanwhile, even as the debate continues – perhaps with more civility – The Washington Post offers a fact-check of one of the key points in play.
Exploring The Health Overhaul’s Business Opportunities
News outlets report on efforts to capitalize on health reform’s new business opportunities.
Judge Orders Guidant To Pay $296 Million Fine For Withholding Information About Faulty Heart Devices
This Boston Scientific Corp. subsidiary faces a fine as well as three years of probation as part of a case that began in 2005.
These so-called “phantom recalls” – which have gained the attention of some members of Congress – involved the company’s plan to buy back defective Motrin pills from store shelves in order to avoid negative publicity.
