Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health Officials Encourage Caution, Despite H1N1 Case Decline
As the number of new H1N1 (swine flu) infections worldwide drops, U.S. health officials on Friday cautioned the virus continues to circulate and can still be deadly, Reuters reports. According to the WHO, H1N1 remains the dominant strain worldwide, but there are reports of the recent emergence of the seasonal flu in Africa and China, according to the news agency.
Findings Of Poor Quality Malaria Drugs In Africa Add To Artemisinin-Resistance Worries
A study released on Monday found that between 26 percent and 44 percent of artemisinin-based malaria drugs sold in Madagascar, Senegal and Uganda “failed quality testing” because of impurities or insufficient amounts of active ingredient, the Associated Press reports.
G7 Forgives Haiti’s Bilateral Loans To Support Aid Effort
At a press conference on Saturday, “Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said he and his G-7 colleagues would forgive bilateral loans extended to poverty-stricken Haiti, which estimates it could have lost 200,000 residents in the major earthquake that hit last month,” Dow Jones Newswires reports. Flaherty also said Haiti’s multilateral debt should be nullified as soon as possible (Thiruvengadam, 2/6).
CQ Examines Concerns Over Obama’s FY2011 Global Health Budget
Congressional Quarterly examines concerns among health advocates and international development experts about what President Obama’s FY 2011 budget request might mean to U.S. commitments to particular diseases abroad, such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
GOP Wary Of Talks While Both Sides Express Low Expectations For Health Care Summit
Republican leaders sent a letter late Monday to the White House outlining key questions about how the Summit will work and what ideas will be on the table.
Faced With Stalled Overhaul, Dems Still Wonder Who To Blame
Congressional Democrats continue to divvy up blame for the stalled state of Democrats’ health overhaul, with fingers now pointed towards centrist Democrats and Republicans, President Obama or even White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, depending on the blamer’s perspective.
States grapple with strapped budgets and cuts to programs such as Medicaid.
Lawmakers in at least three dozen states push ahead with provisions, Politico reports.
Today’s OpEds: Questioning Transparency, The Bipartisan Summit And Starting Anew
Today’s collection of opinions and editorials.
Insurer To Take New Role In Assessing Cancer Treatments
UnitedHealthcare, one of the nations biggest insurance companies, has decided to take a more active role in the care of its policy holders who are being treated for several types of cancer.
As Health Overhaul Stalls, Hospitals Face Rising Cost Of Uncompensated Care
As the health care overhaul stalls, hospitals face rising costs for uncompensated care of the uninsured.
Surgical ‘Checklist’ Saves Money, Lives
Dr. Atul Gawande’s new book, “The Checklist Manifesto,” expands “the use of a remarkably low-tech idea: require all doctors, nurses and other operating room staff to run through a 2-minute surgical safety checklist before, during and after each surgery,” according to PBS’ Newshour.
Anthem Blue Cross 39 Percent Rate Hike Draws Ire Of Federal, Calif. Regulators
In a letter, HHS Secretary Sebelius expressed concerns about the health insurance hike, planned to take effect March 1.
Health Debate Travails Boost Lobbying Firms
Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., won an upset election last month that has reshaped the health debate and could be a boon for lobbying firms.
First Edition: February 9, 2010
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including more reactions to President Obama’s health care summit.
State Health Policy Developments: Doctor Shortages, California Insurance Crackdown
News outlets across the country report on state health policy developments.
The Obama Health Summit: More Reactions, Details Emerge
Monday brought a chilly reaction from some Republicans, and also specutlation about what will be at stake for all the summit’s participants.
Obama Invites Republicans To Share Ideas At Televised Health Reform Summit
During a live televised interview with CBS News’ Katie Couric Sunday, President Obama invited Republicans to a half-day health care reform summit to hear their ideas on overhauling the nation’s health care system.
Ending Antitrust Exemption For Insurers May Not Affect Consumers, Analysts Say
The House is set to vote this week on a bill to end the antitrust exemption for health and medical malpractice insurers, but many antitrust experts say the move wouldn’t have much of an impact on consumers.
