Latest KFF Health News Stories
U.N. Official Addresses Increasing Drug Addiction In Developing Countries
The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on Monday warned of an impending “health disaster facing developing countries if wealthy nations fail to control drugs,” the Agence France-Presse reports. During a speech delivered in Vienna, UNODC chief Antonio Maria Costas pointed to “increasing use of heroin in East Africa, cocaine in West Africa, and synthetic drugs in the Middle East and South East Asia as warning signs” of a growing drug problem in impoverished nations (3/8).
Today’s Opinions And Editorials
Kaiser Health News presents a selection of Tuesday’s opinions and editorials.
Obamas, Clinton Commemorate International Women’s Day
Marking International Women’s Day at the White House Monday, President Barack Obama vowed to fight for gender equality at home and abroad, Agence France-Presse reports. The president marked the event with First Lady Michelle Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, AFP reports.
Health Overhaul Policy Tidbits
Though much of the overhaul discussion has shifted to questions of practicality and politics, there have been some recent policy developments, too.
Medical Miracles More Likely, But At What Cost?
The Fiscal Times reports on medical miracles and their place in the national health care reform debate with a likely subheading: high health care costs.
States Struggle With Strapped Budgets, Cuts To Health Programs
Connecticut, Texas and Arizona struggle with strapped budgets, possible cuts to health programs.
Reconciliation Roundup: Process Stands Between Democrats And Legislative Victory
Democrats must clear numerous procedural hurdles and sort out questions of process before attempting to pass their health overhaul through reconciliation rules.
Administration, Health Insurers Point Fingers At Each Other In Premium Hike Dust-Up
In its latest bout with health insurers, the White House said, after a face-to-face meeting last week with industry executives, the firms had still not justified their premium increases.
Cornyn And Boehner Sharpen Criticism Of Obama Health Proposal
News outlets report on health care remarks from GOP leaders.
VA Streamlining Agent Orange Claims Process
The Department of Veterans Affairs will fully automate the way it pays claims to veterans for illnesses related to the chemical Agent Orange, used during the Vietnam War, according to USA Today.
Long Term Care Facilities Receive Increased Scrutiny
Long term care hospitals and nursing homes are being scrutinized as a Senate panel announces plans to investigate deaths at long term facilities and a Chicago nursing home receives a deadline to close.
Physician’s Perspective: Bundling Medicare Payments Could Cut Costs, Without Reducing Quality
A column in the Washington Post written by an infectious-disease specialist advocates for a new system of “bundled” Medicare payments to doctors.
Senate Test Vote Today On Bill To Extend COBRA Subsidy, Doc Fix And State Medicaid Funding
The Senate is poised to consider a measure that would extend the subsidy program for COBRA benefits and unemployment insurance, prevent the Medicare payment cut for doctors and provide additional funding to state Medicaid programs.
Many Doctors, Hospitals Unhappy With Health IT Rules, Despite Windfall
Though the federal government plans to give doctors up to $44,000 each, as well as millions of dollars to hospitals, to help buy health information technology, many providers are unhappy with the stimulus-funded program.
Racial Disparities Persist In Hospice Use
New research finds racial disparities in hospice use.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the latest on President Obama’s effort to build support — both among the public and lawmakers — for his health plan
Sebelius Reiterates Call For Insurer Transparency
In a letter sent today to representatives of health insurance companies that attended last week’s White House meeting, the Health and Human Services secretary urged more transparency.
“Nearly 100 million women across Asia have ‘disappeared’ because of a huge and growing gender gap that has fatally deprived them of access to health care and food and has led to widespread abortions of female fetuses, according to a U.N. report released Monday,” the Associated Press reports.
