Latest KFF Health News Stories
Sebelius Talks Health Reform, Rahm And Campaign Contributions
The Christian Science Monitor reports on Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ talk at a Monitor-sponsored breakfast for reporters Thursday.
Med Schools Say Doctor Shortage To Worsen Under New Health Law
The health law will worsen the physician shortage as newly insured patients seek care, according to a new report from the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Insurer Jumps Ship, But Is The Health Law To Blame?
The Principal Financial Group, of Iowa, will stop selling health insurance plans – which currently cover about 840,000 people who get coverage from employers – as provisions of the health overhaul take effect.
Record Number Of Americans Signed Up For Medicaid Last Year, Straining State Budgets
A new Kaiser Family Foundation report finds that as the recession tanked the national economy, a record number of Americans signed up for Medicaid last year, increasing the strain on state budgets.
First Edition: October 1, 2010
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that Medicaid enrollment spiked last year and more coverage of the interplay between the federal government and McDonald’s regarding health coverage for hourly workers.
Health Reform Law Bubbling Up As Campaign Issue
Lawmakers have left Washington to campaign and focus on their messages regarding the economy and health care.
WSJ: McDonald’s Could Drop Health Coverage Due To New Law; HHS, Restaurant Chain Deny News Report
McDonald’s asks federal regulators to drop a part of the health overhaul law related to employee health coverage.
More than 1,000 researchers, government officials and advocates are gathering in Atlanta this week to discuss the progress and future challenges in the development of a vaccine that protects against HIV, FierceVaccines reports (Carroll, 9/29). The AIDS Vaccine 2010 meeting, which kicked off Tuesday, will run through Friday, according to the website for the meeting (undated).
World Bank President Calls For New, More Open Approach To Economic Development
“World Bank President Robert Zoellick on Wednesday called on economists to rethink the way they look at issues affecting developing nations and said he was overhauling the way his institution approached research,” Reuters reports (Wroughton, 9/29).
Today’s Opinions: Concerns About ACOs; Obama Challenged On Health Care Claims; Scare Tactics
A selection of opinions and editorials from across the U.S.
Obama To Nominate Morgan Stanley COO For Deputy Secretary Of State For Management And Resources Post
The White House on Wednesday announced President Barack Obama’s intention to nominate Thomas Nides, chief operating officer of Morgan Stanley, “to be the next deputy Secretary of State for management and resources, replacing Jack Lew, who is waiting to be confirmed to be the director of the Office of Management and Budget,” Foreign Policy’s blog “The Cable” reports (Rogin , 9/29).
During a House Committee on Foreign Affairs’ hearing on the future of PEPFAR Wednesday, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Ambassador Eric Goosby assured lawmakers that the decision by President Barack Obama to make PEPFAR part of the president’s Global Health Initiative (GHI) would not compromise “the widely praised plan,” CQ HealthBeat reports.
States address a wide range of policy issues.
Study Finds Benefits Of Mammograms For Women In Their 40s, Sparking Disagreement
A new study of Swedish women finds benefits of mammograms for women in their 40s, sparking more debate on the value of mammograms.
Health Law’s Boost For ACOs Gains Momentum But Faces Possible Legal Hurdles
News outlets report on the formation of accountable care organizations and possible legal hurdles.
Biologics Can Achieve Great Success – But At Great Cost
Insurers want to know why biologic drugs are so expensive.
Lawmaker Proposes Trust Fund For Veterans’ Growing Health Costs
Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., is proposing a new trust fund to help pay for the long-term health care and social security disability costs of veterans, news outlets report.
Medicare Now Required Check For Fraud Before Paying Claims
A new provision included in the small business measure recently approved by Congress will require Medicare to take a closer look at claims before paying them.
New Reports Underscore A Litany Of Health Law Implementation Obstacles
Obstacles to the implementation of the health overhaul abound, including lawsuits, regulatory issues, concerns about patients’ choice, and, of course, costs.
