Latest KFF Health News Stories
African ‘Green Revolution’ Should Focus On Small Farmers, U.N. Report Says
Investments in agricultural technology should be directed to Africa’s smallholder farmers in an effort to increase food security after decades of low funding, the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said in a report on Wednesday, Reuters reports (Lynn, 5/19).
Studies Identify New Chemical Compounds That Could Lead To Development Of New Malaria Drugs
Researchers have identified thousands of chemical compounds that could be used to develop new malaria drugs, two studies published in the journal Nature on Wednesday show, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Kaiser Health News presents a selection of Thursday’s opinions and editorials from around the country.
WHA Addresses Counterfeit Medicines
Discussions about combatting counterfeit medicines continued at the 63rd World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva on Wednesday, Agence France-Press reports. “The proliferation of potentially lethal or harmful counterfeit medicines has been on the rise, particularly with the increased usage of the Internet worldwide. According to the WHO, more than half of all medicines bought online are fake,” the news service reports (5/19).
States Examine New Law’s Impact On Residents’ Health, Budget Bottom Lines
States around the nation are examining the health reform law for impacts to their residents’ health and their own bottom lines.
Most ER Visitors Have Some Type Of Health Insurance, Survey Finds
A National Center for Health Statistics study has found that of the one in five Americans who visit an emergency room every year, most have health insurance.
Medicare To Evaluate How Beneficiaries Used Personal Health Records
The Medicare agency is preparing to evaluate a 17-month-old pilot program that has tested whether beneficiaries use personal health records in Utah and Arizona.
Analysis Looks At How Democrats Won Health Reform Battle
In a five-part analysis in The New Republic, Jonathan Cohn examines how Democrats ultimately won the health reform battle.
FDA Transparency Panel Urges Agency To Make Records Of Denials Public
The Food and Drug Administration’s Transparency Task Force has recommended that the agency should make more information about companies and the reasons behind decisions not to approve products available to the public.
Medco: Big Jump In Kids’ Prescription Drug Use Last Year
Children’s prescription drug use rose “several times faster” than adult use last year, “due in part to swine flu drugs and Type 2 diabetes medications, according to Medco Health Solutions Inc,” the Associated Press reports.
Lawmakers Probe Consumer Genetic Testing Kits
After Pathway Genomics proposed selling genetics tests directly to consumers without FDA approval and “despite concerns” about accuracy, lawmakers have launched an investigation and requested information about the products according to letters sent to three firms by a House panel.
Hospital Deals In New York, Michigan, Tennessee and Georgia
News outlets report on hospitals issues in New York, Michigan, Tennessee and Georgia.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including Medicare pay fix developments and continuing analysis regarding health reform and how it might play into the 2010 electoral landscape.
Minnesota Nurses May Strike; Group Advocates More Health Jobs For Deaf
News outlets report on changes in the medical profession.
Lancet Special Series Examines TB Worldwide
The Lancet released on Wednesday a special series on tuberculosis, which includes a series of papers and comments highlighting the need for new tools, the threat posed by drug-resistant strains, results of current control efforts and other issues about TB worldwide, Agence France-Presse reports.
New U.N. Efforts Aim To Help Haitians Obtain ‘Secure Housing’
“The head of the U.N. mission in Haiti Edmond Mulet unveiled new efforts Tuesday to provide secure housing to thousands of people made homeless by January’s devastating earthquake,” Agence France-Presse reports.
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria on Thursday launched a campaign to generate public support for efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 2015, the BBC reports. “The Born HIV Free campaign comes at a critical time, with the fund seeking donations of up to $20bn over the next three years,” the BBC continues.
Media outlets continue to track news emerging from the 63rd annual World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva.
Democrats Debating How To Handle Medicare ‘Doc Fix,’ COBRA Subsidy Extension
Some Democrats are concerned that adding a Medicare physician payment “fix” to tax legislation will add to the debt and are considering dropping the provision.
