Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, with an emphasis on President Obama’s health reform speech, his call for quick congressional action and reconciliation.
Democrats Set The Stage For Reconciliation
Democrats hope to deliver the final version of their health legislation this week in order to begin the many-stepped process of passing it through reconciliation rules.
Obama Presses Forward In Health Overhaul Efforts
In remarks this afternoon, President Obama pushed for quick congressional action on comprehensive health care legislation and appealed to Americans’ frustration with health insurance companies.
Obama To Include GOP Ideas In Health Proposal Today
President Obama’s release of his latest health care reform blueprint Wednesday is seeking to propel the dialogue forward.
GOP Rejects Obama’s Compromise On Health Care, Wants ‘New Approach’
Republicans are rejecting a proposal from President Obama to take some of their ideas from a health summit last week and incorporate them into his health care reform proposal.
State Supreme Court Weighs Medical Malpractice Caps In Case That Would Impact Doctors, Patients
The Kansas Supreme Court heard the arguments last fall and many lobbyists say it could strike down the $250,000 cap on awards for “pain and suffering.”
Kansas Lawmakers Debate Legality Of Health Insurance Mandate Amendment
In other state news, the Florida legislature considers a plan to crack down on pain clinics that are a source of illegal drugs and a measure to curb foster children’s use of psychiatric drugs, and a New York judge orders the city to move thousands of people with mental illness to new homes.
Democrats Seem To Gain Momentum On Health Reform, But Face Many Obstacles
As Democratic leaders pursue a go-it-alone strategy on health care, the real test will be whether their caucus can pull together and be effective on health care and other issues.
Today’s Editorials And Opinions
Kaiser Health News presents a selection of today’s opinions and editorials.
South Carolina, Oklahoma and Arkansas Grapple With Medicaid Cuts To Help Balance Budget
States consider major cuts to Medicaid services and reimbursement rates to help fill gaps in the budget.
Women Face VA Obstacles In Treatment For War Disorders
Women are saying they face roadblocks to care when they seek treatment at Veterans Affairs hospitals, even as they return in record numbers from battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan, ABC News reports.
Wasteful Medical Spending Clogs Health Care Industry
CNN reports on wasteful spending in the American health care system.
Meeting Addresses How To Improve HIV/AIDS Surveillance In Asia
A five-day workshop that opened Monday in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, will address ways to improve HIV/AIDS surveillance in the Asia region, Viet Nam News reports. The workshop has brought together “surveillance technical staff from government departments, non-governmental organisations and U.S. Government agencies from 14 countries in Asia to provide updates and best practices on key issues related to the conduct and use of HIV/AIDS surveillance data,” according to the news service (3/3).
Lawmakers Work On Medicare Drug And Mental Health Legislation
House Democrats prepare to introduce legislation on Medicare drug prices while senators propose lifting cap on Medicare’s inpatient mental health benefits.
Senate Gridlock Ends, COBRA And Medicare Fees Extended
After five days of blocking Senate action, Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., allowed passage of an unemployment benefits package that would delay a cut in Medicare payments to doctors and briefly extend COBRA benefits.
UNAIDS Launches Plan To Address Gender Equality, HIV/AIDS
UNAIDS on Tuesday launched a five-year initiative to help tackle gender inequalities and human rights violations that increase the vulnerability of women worldwide to HIV/AIDS, BBC reports (3/3).
Clinton Delivers Satellite Phones As Chile Earthquake, Tsunami Recovery Continues
As part of her trip to Latin America, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton handed out 25 satellite phones on Tuesday in Chile and said the U.S. would help “in any way the government of Chile asks us to,” the Washington Times reports (3/3).
“Clinton toured an area of the airport where tea, flour and other supplies were being loaded into boxes for shipment to parts of the country where supplies are short,” the Associated Press/New York Times reports.
Eyeing Reconciliation For Health Reform, GOP Launches Preemptive Strike On Senate Parliamentarian
News outlets profile Senate parliamentarian Alan Frumin, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and the “everyday Americans” invited to a White House forum on health care last year.
House Expanding Inquiry Of Health Insurance Rate Hikes
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which last week probed Anthem’s increases in Calif., seeks testimony and records from four other health insurers.
