Latest KFF Health News Stories
States Focus On Medicaid Budget Challenges
Waivers, drug benefits and even diapers … these are the topics under discussion as states continue to focus on ways to address the budget challenges associated with their Medicaid programs.
Senate Acts On Medicare Doctor Pay Fix
Although the Senate agreed to postpone for one month cuts in Medicare physician payments, the House must still act, too, in order to delay a scheduled fee reduction that will kick in Dec. 1.This very short-term approach is likely to frustrate the physician community.
State Roundup: California PPOs ‘Low Marks’; Geriatric Nursing; Physician Shortages
News outlets covered a range of developments including workforce issues in Minnesota and California, and a Kentucky order for insurers to provide child-only policies.
Today’s OpEds: Opposing Views On Hospital Medical Errors; Lesson For Andy Harris; Dems And Abortion
Views from around the country on health policy topics such as medical errors and the “gotcha’ culture in Congress.
A report (.pdf) released on Thursday by UNICEF highlights the recent progress made in reducing the practice of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) despite ongoing social pressures in five African countries, Deutsche Presse-Agentur/M&C reports. (11/18). “Millions of girls worldwide are cut or mutilated each year,” according to a UNICEF press release (.pdf). “The practice, a serious violation of their human rights, can cause severe, lifelong health problems including bleeding, problems urinating, childbirth complications and newborn deaths,” the release adds (11/18).
Cholera Confirmed In Florida Woman Who Traveled To Haiti
“The first known case of cholera in the United States linked to the outbreak in Haiti was confirmed Wednesday by health officials who said a southwest Florida woman contracted the disease while visiting family in a region at the heart of Haiti’s epidemic,” the New York Times reports.
IPS Explores What Efforts To Reduce U.S. Federal Deficit Could Mean For Global Health Funding
Inter Press Service explores some advocates’ concerns over how the “new emphasis in Washington on reducing government spending” could affect U.S. funding for global health programs, including HIV/AIDS. Come January, “Republicans will take control of the U.S. House of Representatives and have made it clear that reducing government spending in order to close the government’s budget deficit will be a top priority,” the news service writes.
Berwick’s First Hearing Marked By Strong Defense Of Health Law, GOP ‘Relative Gentleness’
CMS chief Dr. Donald Berwick survived his first Senate hearing yesterday by rebutting criticism of the health law and because Republicans were “relatively gentle.”
Bipartisan Task Force Recommends Medicare And Medicaid Overhaul
Backers hope the plan will spur leaders to “grapple with painful choices.”
Health Law Revision Suggestions Pour In From Lawmakers, Groups
Kaiser Health News reports that vulnerable Democrats are looking for alternatives to the health law’s mandate that nearly all Americans carry health insurance.
States address a range of health policy issues.
Opinions and editorials from around the country.
Kansas Attorney General-Elect Announces Plans To Fight Health Law In Court
Another state politician announces he will challenge the health care law while a group of bipartisan state lawmakers ask a judge in Florida to allow them to express support for the measure in that important case.
Fla. leaders don’t want the federal government to limit the state’s Medicaid reform efforts.
Medicare Committee Recommends Expensive Drug For Some Prostate-Cancer Patients
In a controversial review of the prostate cancer vaccine Provenge, a Medicare committee recommends that Medicare cover the costly drug for prostate-cancer patients whose disease has spread.
Study: Hospitals Use Clout To Jack Up Prices
A new study claims some hospitals command far greater prices from commercial insurers than their nearby competitors, suggesting they have the clout to demand higher rates.
Study Finds Average Health Insurance Deductible Grows To $1,200 As Employer Costs Grow Too
A new Mercer survey finds that employers expect to pay 6.9 percent more for benefits this year while the average health insurance deductible is now $1,200.
Americans’ Confidence In Health Care System Lower Than Other Industrialized Counties, Study Finds
A Commonwealth Fund survey shows that Americans have the least amount of confidence in their health care system as compared to 10 other countries.
First Edition: November 18, 2010
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about CMS Administrator Donald Berwick’s Senate testimony and more details about how the Rivlin-Domenici deficit reduction panel would address health care costs.
