Latest KFF Health News Stories
Lawmakers Struggle To Find Solutions As Medicaid Programs Swell State Budget Gaps
Lawmakers in Kentucky, Florida and Georgia are in the midst of difficult decisions regarding their state Medicaid programs.
WHO Urges Medical Aid Agencies To Remain In Haiti As Health Care System Is Rebuilt
On Wednesday, the WHO “urged medical aid agencies to stay in Haiti as long as possible while health care is rebuilt following last month’s devastating earthquake,” Agence France-Presse reports. Henriette Chamouillet, the WHO’s representative in Haiti, said the agency would like its largest partners to continue aid for “at least six months” and that it would take several months for hospitals with the least amount of damage to open. She said, “It’s absolutely necessary because we have to replace the hospitals which won’t work” (2/17).
State Policy Developments: Wisconsin’s New ‘Public Option,’ Iowa’s Medical Marijuana Vote, and More
States address rising health costs, insurance coverage issues, HIV testing, and marijuana.
Michigan Sends Letters To 500,000 Warning Of COBRA Subsidy’s Expiration
Michigan’s state unemployment insurance agency has sent letters to 500,000 residents warning them that their benefits could expire starting in March if Congress fails to act on extending jobless benefits, The Detroit News reports.
FDA May Drop Medical Device ‘Fast Track’ Amid Overuse Concerns
The Food and Drug Administration may eliminate a program that allows medical devices to be approved quickly over concerns that the program is overused, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Obama Administration Nominates Former Clinton Adviser To Lead UNICEF
The Obama administration has nominated former Clinton administration adviser Anthony Lake to lead UNICEF, Bloomberg/BusinessWeek reports. He would succeed Ann Veneman, who will step down at the end of her five-year term on April 30 (Varner, 2/18).
‘Proof-Of-Concept’ Study Shows Technology Stabilizes Vaccines At Tropical Temperatures
A team of British researchers have developed a simple, low-cost method to stablize vaccines in tropical climates, which they say could help to revolutionalize vaccination campaigns in developing countries, Reuters reports. “The technology developed by Oxford University scientists and the privately owned Nova Laboratories would remove the need for costly infrastructure, like fridges and freezers that require power and can break down, and highly trained staff,” the news service writes, adding that the research was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust (Kelland, 2/17).
A Selection Of Today’s Opinions And Editorials
A selection of today’s opinions and editorials.
Study Finds Nearly A Quarter Of Prescriptions Go Unfilled
Study of 75,000 Massachusetts patients shows that 22 percent of prescriptions were never filled. Meanwhile, Wal-Mart reports the number of employees enrolled in its health insurance plan has increased but the share of employees who are insured at all has fallen.
States’ Retiree Benefits Underfunded By At Least $1 Trillion
State governments’ retiree pension and health plans are severely underfunded, according to a new report from the Pew Center on States.
‘Cadillac’ Tax Would Have Non-Union Impact, Analysis Finds
Meanwhile, a physician organization offers a report of its own laying out a way for Congress to move ahead on health reform.
Study suggests physicians look toward more profitable services amid lower Medicare fees. Meanwhile, Humana tests a patient-centered medical home program in Florida and the former secretary of Health and Human Resources in Virginia is tapped for a top position at the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services.
Dartmouth Atlas Analyses Of Hospital Spending Called ‘Flawed’
A new report suggests that the data in the Dartmouth Atlas is flawed, The New York Times reports.
Report Examines How Medical Technology Changes State of Health Care
Medical technology is changing the state of health care and extending lives, according to a report by government researchers.
Obama Admin. To Redouble Campaign Against Insurers’ Rate Hikes
After criticizing a California insurer for raising premiums 10 days ago, Obama administration officials are preparing to intensify their campaign against insurers’ rate hikes in hopes of reinvigorating Democrats health overhaul push.
Humana Schedules Layoffs As Insurers Struggle To Cut Costs
Citing drooping enrollment, Humana, one of the nation’s biggest health insurers, has announced it will shed 1,400 jobs this year, or about 5 percent of its employees.
First Edition: February 18, 2010
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including one senator’s continuing hopes for health reform as well as various health industry developments.
Insurance Rates Soar In Various States
Reports indicate that people who buy their own health insurance are seeing their premiums increase by as much as 15 percent.
Former Senate Parliamentarian Questions Reconciliation, Senators Want Public Option Back
A former Senate parliamentarian said Tuesday that using reconciliation to do health care reform will be difficult because it wasn’t meant to be used to make policy, Politico reports.
