Latest KFF Health News Stories
African Development, Economies Improve, Many Governments Doing Poorly, Index Says
According to an index on African governance released by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, “[m]ost countries are improving their economies and their human development, yet nearly two-thirds are suffering a ‘democratic recession’
IOM: Nurses Can Take Bigger Role In Medical Care
Nurses could take a bigger role and more responsibility in medical care – a move that could lower costs and stave off a physician shortage – without putting patients at risk.
Retiree Benefits Prove Promising Hunting Ground For State Budget Cuts
State and local officials facing down looming budget shortfalls are beginning to look at cutting public employees’ famously generous retirement benefits.
Twenty-two countries “are facing enormous challenges like repeated food crises and an extremely high prevalence of hunger due to a combination of natural disasters, conflict and weak institutions,” the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) and the World Food Program said in the State of Food Insecurity in the World 2010 report (.pdf) on Wedensday, Xinhua News reports.
Gallup: Fewer Get Insurance From Employers
A new poll has found that fewer adults have employer-sponsored than did two years ago.
Daschle Warns Opponents Can Still Damage Health Law And Stirs Controversy On Public Option
Tom Daschle warns in new book that health care law opponents could still cause possible damage. While promoting the book, the former Senate majority leader also briefly suggests that White House was not commited to public option.
Feds Try To Address Hospitals’ And Doctors’ Concerns About Accountable Care Organizations
Several top federal officials tell health industry representatives that they are seeking to address concerns, including worries about anti-trust issues with ACOs.
First Edition: October 6, 2010
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the early legal tests facing the new health law and more on the politics swirling around the measure’s sweeping reforms.
Democrats Gain In Polling, But Health Care Helps GOP Hold ‘Enthusiasm’ Edge
Democrats are gaining ground in campaign polling, but Republicans still hold a lead, buoyed in part by their stance on health care as the November midterm elections near.
Health Overhaul Implementation Updates: States Fret, Sebelius Hits The Hill
In a congressional appearance Monday, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius asked lawmakers to move beyond politics and focus on successfully reforming American health care.
Survey Of Active, Retired Military Officials Highlights Attitudes About Foreign Aid
Almost “90 percent of active and retired military officers say diplomacy and development” initiatives can play a helpful role in reaching U.S. national security goals and that relying on only a strong military presence is not enough, according to a recent poll from the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC), FOXNews.com reports.
Obama Administration Expected To Announce $4B Pledge To Global Fund
“The Obama administration is expected on Tuesday to announce a large increase in its pledge to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and to call for reform of the organization,” the Wall Street Journal reports. “The pledge of $4 billion over the next three fiscal years to the Geneva-based organization comes as governments and donors around the world have slowed increases in spending to combat HIV/AIDS, with weaker economies straining budgets,” the newspaper adds (McKay, 10/5).
FEHBP Premium Costs To Increase Next Year, Just Not As Much As This Year
The Washington Post reports that the price federal employees pay for health insurance next year won’t go up as much as it did this year, but that the 7.2 percent increase for 2011 is “much greater than inflation or any pay increase or cost of living adjustment they might get.”
Nurses Push For Bigger Role Gets Powerful Ally; Va. Tries To Retain Docs They Train
Kaiser Health News reports that nurses clamoring for a bigger role in providing care for Americans got a powerful ally in the Institute of Medicine Tuesday as the institute released a report calling for a bigger role for nurses in American health care.
Today’s OpEds: ACOs, Health Care Honesty And The Sanctity Of Health Insurance
Kaiser Health News presents a selection of Tuesday’s opinions and editorials from around America.
Ore. Hospitals With Most Clout Command Higher Prices
Prices vary radically for similar procedures at Oregon hospitals.
Health IT May Bring Unintended Consequences
As the Obama administration nudges the health system toward adopting electronic medical records, researchers have identified some unintended consequences.
States address a range of health policy issues.
Sebelius: Medicare Advantage Cuts Won’t Hurt Plans
Will the health reform curb private Medicare insurance plans, known as Medicare Advantage, or won’t it? Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told reporters Monday that it won’t.
