Latest KFF Health News Stories
Meanwhile, a study in Massachusetts examines the use of antipsychotic drugs in the state’s nursing homes.
Virginia Bill May Prompt State-Federal Fight Over Insurance Mandate
A bill in the Virginia state legislature could upend a critical provision of the Democrats’ health overhaul and open the door for a fresh battle over the federal government’s power over states.
Today’s OpEds: Positive and Negative Consequences Of Health Reform
A sampling of opinions and editorials from around the country.
States Trying To Keep Health Care Systems Afloat
Many states are having to make budgetary decisions about their public health care systems even as federal legislation and funding continues to be tied up in Congress.
White House Emphasizes Rising Health Insurance Costs As Reason For Reform
The White House points to recent hikes in health insurance costs as a prime reason for health care overhaul.
Fact Check: Do 15,000 People Lose Insurance Every Day?
CNN’s Political Ticker blog fact checks a statement made by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on the NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday.
Democrats Pressure Stupak On Abortion; Split Threatening Health Bill
A split among Democrats on abortion is threatening to derail efforts to reform the nation’s health care system as Democrats pressure fellow lawmakers to support larger reform despite misgivings on the topic.
Medicare Payment Issues Raise Questions, Concerns
Seniors worry about rising Medicare Advantage costs, caps on physical therapy and other outpatient services and low reimbursment rates in Maine.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the latest on how President Obama will take his health overhaul plan on the road this week in an effort to build public support.
Obama Health Reform Speech Rallies Pa. Audience, Challenges Insurers
The president’s appearance in Pennsylvania was part of his effort to take his health reform proposal on the road to build public suppot.
Dems Point To Rising Insurance Costs To Boost Health Bill; GOP Argues Against Reconciliation Process
On the Sunday talk shows and in newspapers, Democrats and Republicans are invoking a recent insurance analysis to bolster arguments that they have the right approach on health reform.
Poll: On Health Reform, Americans Trust Obama More Than Both Parties In Congress
A Gallup poll released today asked Americans whom they trusted to reform the nation’s health care system. While the president out-polled Democratic and Republican congressional leaders, physicians ranked highest.
Republican Senators Go On The Offensive Against Reconciliation Vote
Republicans warn House Democrats that if they pass the Senate bill there is no guarantee that a separate reconciliation bill with the fixes the House wants will also pass, Politico reports.
Polio Vaccination Campaign To Target 85M Children In 19 West, Central African Countries
Global health organizations will launch a $30 million polio vaccination campaign on Saturday in West and Central Africa aimed at immunizing 85 million children under age 5, the Joint Global Polio Eradication Initiative and the International Federation of the Red Cross said on Thursday, Agence France-Presse reports (3/4).
Conference Calls For East African Countries To Prioritize Water, Sanitation Programs
During a sanitation conference being held in Kampala, Uganda, this week, “experts have urged regional countries to prioritize programs aimed at increasing access to safe water and sanitation” to move them closer to reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) target in 2015, New Times/allAfrica.com reports. “According to Water Aid, an international NGO, one billion people still lack access to safe drinking water while 2.4 billion lack adequate sanitation,” the news service writes.
Obama Seeks To Mollify Democrats On Health Overhaul Plan, Costs
President Obama’s intensifying push for health care reform took to lobbying individual Democratic lawmakers Thursday as he looks for votes to pass an overhaul.
Democratic Division On Abortion Language In Health Overhaul Jeopardizes Chances For Passage
As Democratic lawmakers busy themselves gathering votes for a new push on health care reform, Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., is leading a contingent of anti-abortion lawmakers in fighting for stricter restrictions on the procedure in exchange for their votes.
Study, Conference Highlight Risks Associated With Migrant Workers’ Limited Access To Health Services
Despite being at high-risk for HIV infection, migrant workers in Southern Africa have a challenging time accessing HIV prevention and treatment services, according to a new study by the International Office of Migration (IOM), PANA/Afrique en ligne reports.
News organization have “fact checks” on the reconciliation procedure and health reform provisions.
