Latest KFF Health News Stories
To Reduce Spread Of HIV/AIDS, IFRC Calls For More Focus On IDU Programs
Ahead of World AIDS Day, the International Federation of the Red Cross on Friday released a report (.pdf) calling for governments around the world to do more to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS among populations of injecting drug users (IDUs), the Associated Press reports (Heilprin, 11/25).
African Ministerial Conference Concludes With Health Priority Commitment
Health and environment ministers from at least 46 African countries concluded the Second Inter-Ministerial Conference on Health and Environment in Africa in Luanda, Angola on Friday, “with the adoption of the ‘Luanda Commitment,’ which lists the continent’s health and environment top priorities in the years ahead,” PANA/Afrique en ligne reports.
Haiti Requires Additional Trained Nurses, Doctors To Address Cholera Epidemic, U.N. Official Says
Haiti needs about 1,000 additional trained nurses and at least 100 more physicians to control the cholera epidemic, Valerie Amos, the U.N. undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, said during a recent visit to the capital of Port-au-Prince, Reuters reports. “We clearly need to do more,” Amos said of the global response to the cholera outbreak. “But it’s not just money, it’s crucially people, in terms of getting more doctors, nurses, more people who can help with the awareness-raising and getting information out there,” she said. The U.N. plans to work with countries and aid groups that have the capacity to quickly provide more health workers, according to Amos.
Majority Of African Nations To Miss MDG Target On Water, Sanitation, UNEP Says
The majority of African nations will fail to meet the U.N. Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets related to water and sanitation, the U.N. Environment Program (UNEP) said Friday, Agence France-Presse reports.
Washington Post Examines Development Experts’ Reactions To Draft QDDR
The Washington Post examines development experts’ “mixed reactions” to the recent roll out of the State Department’s draft Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR), which would give USAID “a bigger role in running President [Barack] Obama’s two main foreign aid initiatives
The average price of a vaccine that protects children against five diseases is expected to “drop to $2.58 next year compared to the current average price of $2.97,” the GAVI Alliance said Friday, Reuters reports. The group credits the expected price decline, which “represents a decrease of 30 percent over the last seven years,” in part to an “increased demand for the pentavalent, or five-in-one vaccine,” according to the news service (Kelland, 11/26).
Support Elusive For Debt Panel As Wednesday Deadline Nears
The chairmen of a bipartisan panel appointed by President Barack Obama are altering an early draft of recommendations to reduce the nation’s debt, in hopes of attracting broader support.
Groups Sharpen Distinctions On Health Reform Repeal As Court Cases Continue
Health law advocates and opponents are preparing for Republican control of the House of Representatives.
Opinions and editorials from around the country.
States address a range of health policy issues.
Medicare Advantage Enrollees Will See More Changes To Plans
Senior advocates encourage Medicare Advantage enrollees to evaluate new options as more changes come to private plans.
ACOs Raise Hope But Also Questions
News outlets report on accountable care organizations.
State Lawmakers Consider Medicaid Changes
Facing rising costs and enrollment, officials in Texas, Florida and Illinois discuss reforms to the federal-state health program for the poor.
Tricare May Raise Fees; VA Medical Center Uses Telemedicine To Trim Costs
Under pressure to trim the Pentagon budget, Defense Secretary Robert Gates is considering fee increases for the military’s lifetime health insurance program; the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center uses Telemedicine to track patients’ vital signs remotely.
Lame Duck Session To Include Votes On Medicare ‘Doc Fix,’ Health Law’s 1099 Tax Provision
Congress and official Washington are resuming business Monday, with a full agenda for the week.
First Edition: November 29, 2010
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about strategies surrounding deficit-reduction efforts and how they might impact health care costs.
Job-Based Health Benefits At Risk Amid Proposals To Cut Federal Deficit
Proposals from both parties have “urged shrinking or eliminating” tax breaks for employers
Health Reform Law Facing Showdown In Courts, Congress
News outlets looked at political and legal issues surrounding the health law.
Media Outlets Continue To Follow Major HIV/AIDS Developments This Week
Media outlets continued to track the major developments in HIV/AIDS this week, including: prevention research using an antiretroviral; new UNAIDS estimates of HIV/AIDS around the world; and Pope Benedict XVI’s stance on condoms for HIV prevention.
