Latest KFF Health News Stories
Military Leaders Look For Way To Cut Health Care Costs
Defense Secretary Robert Gates is looking for ways to cut back health care costs in the nation’s military care, “an area that members of Congress have so far been reluctant to tackle,” Politico reports.
How Much Did Health Care Votes Cause Democratic Defeats?
News outlets report continue to explore whether Democrats’ votes on health care were a decisive reason for election-night losses.
Report: FDA Conflict-Of-Interest Rules Too Restrictive
How cozy can a physician be with a drug company before the relationship is deemed a conflict of interest?
AT&T Expands Stake In Health IT
AT&T is launching a new division to target the $34 billion health IT industry; the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid services wants to streamline electronic health data exchange
First Edition: November 4, 2010
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including stories that explore the questions, answers and widespread speculation regarding the next steps for health reform.
GOP Leaders Say Health Law Repeal Is A Top Priority; Obama Hopes To Find ‘Common Ground’
The day after taking control of the House of Representatives and scoring other sweeping electoral wins, Republican leaders make clear that the recently enacted health reform measure will be a target.
Republicans Look To Use Majority For Health Overhaul Repeal, Plan Vote
Republicans waking up as the majority in the House are planning to quickly flex their muscles to try to repeal the Democratic health law – but even some GOP leaders acknowledge it is unlikely they can get rid of the law right away.
The GOP Scores Big Wins In Mid-Term Elections
Opposition to health care reform plays a role in shaping midterm election results and helps Republicans to capture control of the House of Representatives and expand their voice in the Senate.
Today’s Op-Eds: What The GOP Can Do With ‘ObamaCare’ And More About The Doctor Shortage
Opinions and editorials from around the country.
States address a range of health policy issues.
GOP Claims Statehouse Victories That Could Set Back Health Law Implementation
Newly elected GOP governors are strongly opposed to health care law; Arizona and Oklahoma voters approve amendment against the individual mandate while Colorado rejects a similar measure; and no legalized marijuana for Californians.
Doctor Payment Rates Cut Again Under New Medicare Rules
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services posted final Medicare payment rules Tuesday that include a cut in physician reimbursement rates.
Florida Charity Helps People Afford Drug Co-Pays
Orlando Sentinel/The Washington Post reports on the Assistance Fund, “a national charity that covers pricey prescription-drug costs for those who have insurance but can’t afford their co-pay.”
Economy Saps Hospital’s Earnings As Patients Avoid Treatment
The slow economy is finally infiltrating the hospital sector, too.
Insurers Post Strong Earnings, But Investors Wary Of Health Law Rules
Insurers reported high earnings Wednesday, but investors remain worried about the possible effects of health overhaul-related regulations.
Votes For — Or Against — Health Overhaul No Help For Many Dems
Voting no on the health overhaul helped some Democrats survive last night’s Republican onslaught, but many other fell to GOP challengers.
Michigan BCBS Sued For Second Time Over Hospital Contracts
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is being sued for a second time in two weeks for allegedly pressuring hospitals to sign “most favored nation” contracts that required them to charge competing insurers higher rates.
Pharma In Asia-Pacific Region Becomes More Active In R&D, Study Finds
In recent years, pharmaceutical companies in the Asia-Pacific region have ramped up their clinical trial activity, patent challenges of brand name drugs and their development of new products, according to report released Tuesday by CMR International, a Thomson Reuters business, Reuters reports.
“Global food prices rose in October” and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Food Price Index increased “for the fifth month in a row,” the FAO said on Tuesday, Reuters reports. The index is at its highest level since July 2008.
