Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study Finds Insurers Want Out Of Low-Income Segment of Medicare Part D Market
Put off by low Part D reimbursements, health insurers use high premiums to discourage low-income enrollees.
Planning Accountable Care Organizations
Public input sought for ACO standards; lessons learned from the experiences of California ACOs.
Health Law, Elections Trigger Questions About Medicare Payment Issues
Among the Medicare issues in the news are the looming deadline for a cut to doctors’ reimbursements and scare tactics in the current campaign.
First Edition: November 1, 2010
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how Tuesday’s election will impact the health law.
Health Politics: Some Dems Who Voted For Law Struggling; GOP’s Post-Election Strategy
With the election closing in, Republicans attack the new health law and plan for the next Congress.
Lancet Series Examines Malaria Eradication Goal
“Eliminating malaria can be achieved only with repeated investment over the long term and will require a major shift in policy and funding,” according to some experts, Reuters reports (Kelland, 10/29). The Associated Press reports that the feasibility of “eliminating malaria was examined in a series Friday in the Lancet. Experts analyzed issues like the practicalities of wiping out malaria and its financial costs” (10/29).
Global Agriculture Production Must Increase 70% By 2050 And Adapt To Climate Change, FAO Report Says
Agriculture production worlwide need to increase 70 percent by 2050 to meet global food demands, yet “billions of dollars in additional annual investment” are required to meet this goal and reduce the negative effects on the environment, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said in a report (.pdf) on Thursday, Reuters reports.
In a key note address to the ‘U.S.-India People-to- People’ Conference, USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah spoke of the growing contributions both countries are making toward development assistance around the world, Press Trust of India/Business Standard reports (10/29).
Inter Press Service Reports On Counterfeit Medicine Challenges In Central, Eastern Europe
“Central and Eastern Europe is facing ‘significant challenges’ in combating a multi-billion euro, and often lethal, trade in fake medicines, security and pharmaceutical groups have warned,” Inter Press Service reports in an article that examines the scope of the problem in a region now “identified as a key smuggling route in an illicit trade which is growing every year.”
Races Tighten Over Health Overhaul Issues As Clock Ticks Down To Midterm Elections
Races around the nation are being scrutinized for a glimpse of an edge when it comes to health reform and what the races mean for the health overhaul in America after next week’s midterm elections.
Health Reform Implementation: Insurance Options, States And Exchanges, ACOs
Provisions of the health overhaul that have already been implemented will change next year’s insurance offerings – and should give employees a good reason to pay attention to their options before renewing plans.
States face a variety of health policy issues on payment, obesity and other issues.
A selection of today’s opinions and editorials from across the U.S.
HHS Approves Hundreds More Local Gov’ts, Businesses, Unions For Early Retiree Health Program
More than 3,000 organizations nationwide are now participating in the Affordable Care Act’s Early Retiree Reinsurance Program, which partially reimburses employees for the cost of health benefits provided to early retirees.
Enrollees In High-Deductible Plans May Be Forgoing Care Because Of High Costs
People enrolled in high-deductible plans may forgo care because of excessive out-of-pocket costs, according to a new report from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
Drug And Device Makers Face New Taxes, Fees
A Fox Business report shows the health overhaul is cutting deeper into drug and device makers’ profits than many expected.
Providers Brace For Health Overhaul, Seek To Improve Quality
Clinics and hospitals are looking to improve their care in anticipation of rising costs and new patients as a result of teh overhaul.
Medicare Pilots Deliver Mixed Savings Results
The Fiscal Times explores whether the Medicare pilot programs in the new health law will save money.
This week’s research roundup includes studies from Health Affairs, the Archives of Internal Medicine, the American Journal of Public Health, UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, the Kaiser Family Foundation, the Urban Institute and the National Minority Quality Forum.
