Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s Opinions And Editorials
Kaiser Health News presents a selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Lobbyists Continue Efforts To Influence Health Overhaul
Here’s a look at some lobbying campaigns and victories.
Health Care Jobs Top Future Employment Opportunity List
Health care jobs, especially in nursing, dominate the country’s employment future in the next decade.
The President Pushes Dems To Finalize Health Reform Quickly
President Barack Obama encouraged congressional leaders to bypass the usual conference committee in favor of acting quickly.
First Edition: January 6, 2010
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about Democrat’s intraparty efforts to finalize a health reform bill and details of the key policy issues central to those negotiations.
With A Day Of Meetings, Democratic Leaders Focus On Health Bill
House Democrats met today to set the strategies for merging their measure with the Senate version. President Barack Obama will hold a meeting at the White House this evening with Democratic leaders.
C-SPAN Asks Democrats To Open Health Reform Conference Negotiations
C-SPAN has asked congressional Democrats to open to the public conference negotiations on a proposed health care reform bill, Politico reports.
UAE Hosts Five-Day Global Health Conference
Public health experts and researchers from around the world gathered on Monday for a five-day conference at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) in Al Ain, UAE, to discuss the role of the Middle East in tackling global health issues, AMEinfo.com reports.
U.N. Leaders, HIV/AIDS Advocates Laud Official End To HIV Travel Ban
A travel ban in place since 1987 that prevented non-U.S. citizens with HIV/AIDS from entering the country officially ended Monday, The Hill’s “Blog Briefing Room” reports (Romm, 1/4).
Clinton Foundation Releases Donor List
Former president Bill Clinton on Friday released a list of the donors who have given money to his foundation “under an agreement with President Obama to prevent the appearance of conflicts with Hillary Rodham Clinton’s role as secretary of state,” the Washington Post reports.
Congress Would Make Insurers Spend More Money On Consumers’ Care
Slate reports that Congress is pairing a medical-loss ratio with other parts of reform to make insurers spend more on actual care instead of large bonuses and administrative costs, particularly in the individual insurance market.
Wisconsin Rural Hospitals Hope For Federal Money To Offset State Medicaid Cut
Meanwhile, Massachusetts sees continued declines in smoking rates and a new Colorado focuses on preventive health care.
U.S. Health Spending Slows In ’08
A new government report shows that the growth in U.S. health spending grew 4.4 percent in 2008 to $2.3 trillion, the slowest annual rate of increase since federal tracking efforts began in 1960.
Congress Likely To Skip Formal Conference Committee Negotiations Regarding Health Reform
Democrats are planning to bypass formal conference committee negotiations to expedite the process of getting a health care reform bill to President Obama more quickly.
VA Postpones Copayment Increase For Vets’ Meds
A planned $1 increase in the copayment the VA charges for medications to treat non-service-related conditions has been delayed for six months.
Rural Americans Often Struggle To Access Care
Access to care remains a major burden for Americans in rural areas because of a shortage of trauma facilities and doctors while depressed adults often go without treatment.
An Audit Of Obama’s Performance On His Health Care Campaign Promises
The National Journal assessed President Barack Obama’s progress on his health care campaign promises and gave him a score of 47.
