Latest KFF Health News Stories
Obama To Meet With Labor Leaders Regarding ‘Cadillac’ Tax In Health Overhaul Legislation
Labor leaders are eager to get Presdient Barack Obama to help them scale back a proposed tax on high cost insurance plans and will meet with him Monday.
A Wellness Provision In The Senate Reform Bill Draws Opposition
A health overhaul provision meant to encourage healthier lifestyles by allowing companies to give insurance discounts to workers who meet certain milestones has run into unlikely opposition.
In Weekly Address, Obama Focuses On Immediate Benefits Of Health Bill
“President Obama said Saturday that Americans would see immediate benefits from a landmark overhaul of the nation’s health insurance system, and he urged Congress to reconcile swiftly differences on the legislation so it could be signed into law in the coming weeks,” The New York Times reports.
First Edition: January 11, 2010
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Economist Examines Innovative Mechanisms For Funding Global Health Programs
The Economist examines the “dramatic” change in funding for projects aimed at fighting diseases in the developing world. “In 1990 more than two-thirds of the $5.6 billion spent on global health assistance came from governments.
During a media briefing Thursday, Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC, warned against complacency over the H1N1 (swine flu), and encouraged Americans who had not yet received the H1N1 vaccine to do so, CNN reports.
Shah Sworn In As USAID Administrator
On Thursday, Rajiv Shah was sworn in as USAID administrator at an official ceremony in Washington, D.C., Foreign Policy’s blog, “The Cable,” reports. “Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed overwhelming praise and relief before swearing in Shah,” according to the blog, which noted that Clinton’s remarks provided some “insider details” about Shah.
Today’s Opinions And Editorials
Kaiser Health News presents a selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
White House Rallies Democratic Governors Around Health Reform
The White House is calling on Democratic governors to help defend the health care overhaul.
Hurdles To Clear In The Senate’s Reform Endgame, And Possible 2010 Consequences
After a meeting with President Barack Obama, Sen. Max Baucus said, “We are moving well. We’ve got a lot to cover.”
Health Bill Negotiations: House Democrats Tussling On Taxes, Exchanges
House Democrats Thursday strategized on tactics to resolve differences between their health reform bill and the Senate’s, especially focusing on taxes.
About 3 Million Lose Health Coverage In California
Effort to cut state budget last summer left about 3 million poor residents without health benefits or access to health care.
VA Expected To Move Soon To Cover More Effects Of Agent Orange
The Department of Veterans Affairs expected to issue a rule soon that presumes Parkinson’s disease, B cell leukemia and heart disease are the result of chemical used during the Vietnam War.
Primer: House vs. Senate Health Bill
McClatchy/The Miami Herald has a primer comparing the House and Senate health bills.
Possible Senate Health Bill Loopholes, Insurance Costs
News outlets explore some of the potential loopholes in the health bills.
Hospital Error Rates Climb In California
Hospital error rates in California climbed by more than 300 cases last fiscal year after a 2006 law required public reporting of hospital errors in that state, the Sacramento Business Journal reports.
Study Finds Patients More Likely To Skip Diabetes Medicine While In The ‘Doughnut Hole’
Those facing the gap in Medicare Part D coverage were more likely to forgo diabetes medications than those who had supplemental drug benefits.
Nelson Calls For Expansion Of Nebraska Medicaid Deal To All States
Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., has asked Democratic leaders to extend to all states the deal he make to have the federal government pay for a proposed Medicaid expansion in Nebraska under a health care reform bill, pay for it another way or to drop it completely.
