Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: October 29, 2010
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the effort to repeal the health law and Republican and Democrat strategies related to health overhaul policies in the next Congress.
Today’s Op-Eds: Medicare Rip-Offs; Courts And The Individual Mandate; Accountable Care
A selection of today’s opinions and editorials from across the U.S.
Countdown On As Republicans Ready Health Repeal Agenda, Democrats Continue Push
Republicans are readying their health agenda and Democrats making final preparations to defend their seats and health care votes.
Health Overhaul Dominates Some State, Midterm Races, But Is Ignored In Others
Some races around the country are being dominated by fighting over health issues and the health overhaul while others are ignoring it completely.
States address a range of health policy issues.
More Details Of The Health Law Revealed As Implementation Unfolds
News reports show new facets of the health law as the large-scale implementation process continues to unfold.
Health Law Only Small Part Of Insurance Rate Increases
News outlets report on new premium rate increases by insurers and the possible causes.
PHARMABIZ.com Examines India’s Push For Clearer Definition Of Counterfeit, Substandard Medicines
“India has taken the lead to get together a number of generic drug-producing nations to call for better definitions to ensure quality, strengthening of regulatory authorities in the respective countries, and bringing focus of the world to public health instead of intellectual property,” PHARMABIZ.com writes in an article that examines the recent meeting of leaders from Brazil, India and South Africa on issues regarding counterfeit medicines. “The initiative came as an inter-governmental working group, appointed by the World Health Assembly last year, is looking at the WHO’s role to ensure the availability of quality, safe and efficacious and affordable medicine,” according to the new service.
CNN Reports On Recent Uptick In Cholera Cases Worldwide
CNN’s “the chart” blog examines the rising number of cholera cases around the world. In addition to the cholera outbreak in Haiti, “[a]s of this month, four African nations – Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger – have reported more than 40,000 cases of cholera and more than 2,000 deaths. And Pakistan, a country that is still suffering from the effects of horrific floods, also is reporting 100+ cases of cholera since last month.”
U.S. Government Report Says U.S. Aid Effort In Afghanistan Is Poorly Coordinated
An audit (.pdf) of U.S. projects to rebuild Afghanistan “found a ‘confusing labyrinth’ of agencies and contractors in a poorly coordinated aid effort” that cannot easily demonstrate how money is being spent, a report from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said on Wednesday, Reuters reports (10/27).
Chicago-area hospitals are working with community health centers to reach low-income patients; immigrant advocates defend Medicaid-subsidized MassHealth Limited program.
Transparency International Corruption Index Released
The nonprofit Transparency International (TI) released its annual report ranking corruption in countries across the world on Tuesday, NPR’s “The Two-Way” blog reports (Sutherland, 10/26).
With Incentives From Insurers, Pharmacies Refocus From Snacks To Drugs
Drug stores are returning to their roots – drugs.
Return Of The Doc Cuts Threatens Access, Physician-Group Lobby Says, Again
Pending Medicare cuts could mean physician practices would back away from the program, according to a trade group representing these doctor groups
Agweek Examines USAID’s Food Aid Purchases
Agweek examines USAID’s approach to purchasing food aid. The piece notes USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah’s comments from his October 15 remarks at the World Food Prize symposium in Des Moines, Iowa, when he explained that USAID has used $250 million to purchase foodstuffs in developing countries this year.
Hospital Group And Physicians Looking At ACOs; Harvard To Open Primary Care Education Center
Nascent accountable care organizations develop with physician input; Harvard Medical School seeks to become a leader in primary care education.
Nursing Homes Struggle To Allow Seniors Use Of Medical Marijuana
The New York Times reports that as states begin embracing medical marijuana they are also grappling with how they allow or don’t allow seniors in nursing homes to use it.
New Surgical Centers Open In Pa., Faith-Based Clinic In Mich.
News outlets report on the health care marketplace, including the growing number of surgical centers in Pennsylvania and a new federally qualified community health center in one of Michigan’s wealthiest counties.
