Latest KFF Health News Stories
Coalition Group Calls For Bigger FDA Budget
Although the president’s budget called for an increase in the FDA’s budget, a groups of public interest advocates, patient groups and healthcare industry interests say it’s not enough.
New York’s Detained Youth Lack Coordinated Mental Health Care
Detained youth in New York lack coordinated mental health care and an overseer to ensure such coordination.
First Edition: February 11, 2010
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including whether Sen. Judd Gregg can play an important role in finding bipartisanship.
Individual Insurance Policies Susceptible To Increases
The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that as the economy slowly recovers, health insurance costs for those with individual policies continue to increase over larger numbers of unemployed and those relying on government health care programs.
In White House Meeting, Obama And GOP Discuss Partisan Divide
The president met with congressional leaders from both parties to search for “potential areas of compromise” on health care reform and other issues.
Congress To Investigate 39 Percent Premium Hike By California’s Anthem Blue Cross
Congress is opening a probe into premium hikes for individual policies — some as high as 39 percent — by Anthem Blue Cross in California.
Drug Used To Treat Parasites In Animals May Offer New Treatment For River Blindness, Study Finds
“Closantel, an older drug used to treat a parasitic liver disease in animals, may prove effective at combating river blindness in humans, a major cause of infection-related blindness, U.S. researchers said on Monday,” Reuters reports (Steenhuysen, 2/8).
India Puts Indefinite ‘Moratorium’ On Release Of Country’s First GM Vegetable
“India has postponed the launch of its first genetically modified (GM) vegetable, saying it would adopt a cautious approach and wait for more scientific studies on the impact of the new variety of eggplant,” Reuters reports (Majumdar, 2/9).
Haitian Death Toll Climbs To 230,000, Government Says
The death toll from the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti has risen to 230,000, Marie-Laurence Jocelyn Lassegue, the country’s communications minister, said on Tuesday, the Associated Press reports. She said the new number is only an estimate and it does not include people who had private burials and were buried by family members. The death toll is higher than the previous estimate of 212,000 and the government says some bodies still have not been counted (2/9).
Mental Health ‘Bible’ Starts Revamp With New Terminology, Diagnoses
Proposed changes for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders include new terminology.
Medicaid and Budget Issues: California, Nevada Officials Outline Dire Scenarios For Health Services
The gap in California between state funding and liabilities for state retirees’ health and dental benefits is nearly $52 billion. Meanwhile, Nevada officials say cuts in Medicaid program will include rationing of adult diapers and elimination of dentures and hearing aids programs.
Statements and messages from Democratic lawmakers are all over the board this week.
Lawmakers In Kansas, Idaho Prepare Measures To Pre-Empt Any National Mandate To Purchase Insurance
Efforts are part of a campaign in about three dozen states to fight possible federal mandate, which conservatives argue is unconstitutional.
Today’s OpEds: Prescriptions For Health Reform
Today, we feature opinions and editorials on preventable medical errors, GOP ideas for health reform and chicken soup for the legislative soul.
FDA To Take Closer Look At Medical Radiation, Devices
The Food and Drug Administration will step up oversight of three medical techniques in an effort to reduce patients’ exposure to unnecessary radiation, including CT scans.
Doctor, Executive Who Pled Guilty To Medicare Fraud Leave Ailing Practices Behind Them
Hospitals with doctors and executives who committed Medicare fraud are dealing with paying back the millions their employees took from the system.
Draft Of Senate Jobs Bill Extends COBRA Subsidy
The COBRA subsidy program would be extended under the draft Senate jobs bill, Business Insurance reports.
‘A Troubling Picture’ Of Long-Term Care Hospitals
“Lawsuits, state inspections and federal statistics paint a troubling picture of the care offered at some hospitals,” writes The New York Times in an investigation of long-term care hospitals.
