Latest KFF Health News Stories
Since a major earthquake hit Haiti last month, “power has returned to nearly half” of the neighborhoods around Port-au-Prince, but the rebuilding of the country’s power system “is starting almost from scratch,” the Associated Press/New York Times write in an article examining the prospects for Haiti’s electric utility.
The FDA approved Prevnar 13
One In Three Young Adults Is Uninsured; Obama Health Plan Includes CHIP Extension
News outlets report on the number of uninsured young adults and issues affecting the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
First Edition: February 25, 2010
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including what’s expected for today’s White House health summit.
Concierge Doctors Offer Amenities, But Also Limited Services
Concierge medicine
House Votes To Strip Insurers’ Antitrust Exemption
The House voted Wednesday
Obama, GOP Clash Over Summit Starting Point; Voters Note Partisan Divide
The Obama administration says its health overhaul proposal is a starting point, not a final word. The conciliatory message comes in response to Republican criticism that the administration has sent mixed messages by planning a bipartisan health summit Thursday, only days after announcing its proposal. Meanwhile, two-thirds of Americans blame Republicans for the partisan gulf; a smaller majority blames Obama.
Insurance Execs Defend Rate Hikes Before Congress
Lawmakers said Anthem Blue Cross, the California insurer that proposed raising premium rates for some individual policyholders by as much as 39 percent, sought to boost profits at the expense of its insured.
GOP, Expecting Little From Summit, Strategizes On Policy Alternatives; Democrats Look For Spark
Republican leaders have low expectations for Thursday’s health care summit but are fighting with Democrats over the details and planning to advance policy alternatives.
Democrats Revisit Reconciliation As Means To Pass Health Overhaul
Reconciliation, a parliamentary tactic that could allow Congress to pass health reform with a simple Senate majority, was dismissed weeks ago by centrist Democrats, but some of those lawmakers are now warming to the approach, clearing a possible avenue for passage of the overhaul.
WHO AFRO Delegation Travels To U.S. To Discuss Health Care Collaboration
Luis Gomes Sambo, the WHO’s regional director for Africa, “is in the U.S. this week” for meetings with senior health officials and development agency representatives to discuss collaborating on health, the New Times/allAfrica.com reports.
Today’s Opinions And Editorials
Kaiser Health News presents a sampling of Wednesday’s opinions and editorial from around the United States.
Some Dems Think Obama May Need To Harden His ‘Gentle’ Style In Pushing For Reform
Pushing health care reform through a skittish Democratic caucus while facing stiff Republican opposition is testing the White House’s “power of persuasion,” the New York Times reports. Meanwhile, the sole Republican to vote for the overhaul legislation, Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao, has seen his fundraising drop 40 percent.
Sidibe, Goosby Meet With Leaders In Nigeria To Promote Country’s Fight Against HIV/AIDS
During a joint visit to Nigeria this week, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe and Ambassador Eric Goosby, U.S. global AIDS coordinator, encouraged the country to ramp of its efforts to fight HIV/AIDS, Pana/Afrique en ligne reports. At a Monday gathering with Acting Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, Sidibe appealed for Nigeria to “use its position to influence African Union’s Declaration on prevention of Mother to Child transmission of HIV/AIDS,” according to the news service. Also during the gathering, Goosby emphasized the U.S. commitment to a partnership with the Nigerian government to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS (2/23).
Centrist Dems Have Mixed Responses To New Obama Health Plan
Some hurdles remain for Democrats, despite a sense of building momentum in their caucus.
Abortion, Public Option Questions Remain
A number of contentious policy questions continue to attract attention in the health overhaul debate.
Officials Plan To Clear Debris In Next Phase Of Haiti Relief Effort
Haitian and U.N. officials on Tuesday said they planned this week to begin “decompressing” the capital of Port-au-Prince by removing rubble to make space for people to return to their homes or temporarily resettle, Reuters reports. “The ‘Debris Management Plan’ drawn up by experts from the United Nations, the United States and other countries with Haitian government officials marks the next big push by the international relief operation following major distributions of food, water and shelter materials to earthquake victims,” according to the news service.
Missouri Lawmaker Proposes Changes To Control Prison Health Care Costs
Missouri lawmaker proposes changes to control prison health care costs while Virginia and Minnesota struggle with Medicaid budget cuts.
