Latest KFF Health News Stories
White House Hints At New Health Bill As GOP Sees Possible Upside In Summit
White House officials are hinting that President Obama might post his own health reform bill on the Internet before next week’s bipartisan health care summit.
Senior U.N. Officials Express Concern Over Military Provision Of Humanitarian Aid In Afghanistan
The New York Times examines the recent criticisms made by senior U.N. officials in Afghanistan that NATO forces are contributing to “the militarization of humanitarian aid” and the Wednesday announcement that the U.N. will not participate in the military’s reconstruction effort in Marja, Afghanistan.
MarketWatch reports that though many tout prevention in heart care when it comes to disease, “chances are your insurance won’t cover a trip to a dietician, a gym membership or other services that could help you reduce your risk factors.”
States struggle with strapped budgets and cuts to Medicaid.
A Selection Of Today’s Opinions And Editorials
A sampling of today’s opinions and editorials from around the country.
Media Examine Fight Against Counterfeit Drugs
The Wall Street Journal reports on the recent shutdown of a counterfeit drug ring in Syria, while highlighting a broader problem with counterfeit medicines in the Middle East. Authorities intercepted “millions of dollars worth of breast cancer, leukemia and other medicines
Additional 4M People In Asia Could Fall To ‘Extreme Poverty’ Level This Year, Report Says
While approximately 17 million Asians fell into “extreme poverty” due to the global economic situation in 2009, another four million in the region “could this year slip into the same situation due to the effects of the slump,” according to a report released by representatives from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) in Manlia on Wednesday, Agence-France Presse reports.
Report Estimates Haiti Earthquake Damages Could Reach Nearly $14B
The total cost of the destruction in Haiti, resulting from the major earthquake last month, could add up to twice the value of the country’s annual economy, a three Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) economists said in a report on Tuesday, the Associated Press reports.
Utah Tries To Improve State Health Insurance Exchange; Mich. Plans For Doctor Shortage
States handle several health care policy issues including improving a health exchange in Utah and making syringe purchases easier in California.
Media Examine Efforts To Eradicate Guinea Worm
Agence France-Presse examines efforts to eradicate Guinea worm, a “painful water-borne parasite that can leave people weakened and sick for months every year” (2/17).
Deficit Panel To Tackle Worries Of Federal Debt, Including Health Spending
The New York Times reports that President Obama’s appointment of a special panel to try to ease the nation’s debt will come “(a)fter decades of warnings that budgetary profligacy, escalating health care costs and an aging population would lead to a day of fiscal reckoning.”
WellPoint Cancels Investor Meeting To Prepare For Congressional Hearing On Premium Hikes
WellPoint, the parent company of Anthem Blue Cross, has canceled an investor meeting “so that executives can prepare for a congressional hearing on the company’s large rate hikes in California,” The Los Angeles Times reports.
Hot Button Health Reform Issues: The Individual Mandate And Selling Insurance Across State Lines
News outlets report on some of the hot button issues in the health care debate, including the individual mandate and selling insurance across state lines.
New Database Answers Question: How Healthy Is Your County?
A new database compares the health of the more than 3,000 counties in the U.S.
COBRA Expansion, Medicare Payments To Doctors ‘Fix’ Looming Over Congress
Lawmakers seek ways to expand COBRA and address the doctor payment fix for Medicare reimbursement.
Top Health Groups Increased Political Spending In 2009
USA Today tracks the increased political donations of top health groups in 2009.
First Edition: February 17, 2010
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including more about President Obama’s upcoming health summit, as well as the budget deficit, the COBRA extension and party gridlock.
Four More Senators Join In Call For Public Option And Reconciliation In Health Overhaul
Eight Democratic Senators are now asking Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to use reconciliation to pass a health care overhaul with a public option after four more joined the cause Wednesday.
Poll Says Most Americans Want To Start Over On Health Reform
A poll released Tuesday by Zogby International and the University of Texas Health Science Center found that more than half of all Americans say Congress should start over on health care reforms, The Hill reports.
