Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health Overhaul Will Keep Insurers From Dropping People After They Become Too Expensive
Less attention is paid to reforms in congressional health care bills that will change how insurers treat people with chronic diseases and how the bills will ensure they have access to health insurance, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Lawmakers, Public Take Aim At Deal Struck For Sen. Nelson
News outlets report on deals struck with individual senators, in particular Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., in an effort to win support for health care legislation.
Obama Defends Health Bill In Oval Office Interview
In an interview with The Washington Post, President Obama “rejected criticism that he has compromised too much to secure health-care reform or turned over too much authority to congressional leaders in pursuing his broad legislative agenda.”
Republicans Bitter About Deals, Resigned About Likely Overhaul Passage
After a series of last minute deals paved the way for Senate Democrats to move forward with health overhaul legislation, Republicans lashed out, but also acknowledged that their options for fighting the legislation at this late date are limited.
Industries Brace For Health Overhaul As Senate Nears Deal
Many companies and their lobbyists now believe the overhaul is inevitable and are hoping to ease changes that will affect their businesses.
Schumer’s Hunting Trip With Nelson; Reid Gets A Hero’s Welcome
News outlets profile some of the major players in the health care debate.
Nursing Shortage Awaits Baby Boomers
Baby boomers will likely add additional strain to the already stretched nursing system.
States Slash Budgets Including Cuts In Health Programs
States slash health budgets amid broader cuts.
FDA ‘Ambiguity’ Means Patients Get Unapproved Devices
A Chicago surgeon invented a silicone and metal ring to repair heart valves, and implanted them in 150 patients before his new device received FDA approval.
White House Does Not Expect Conference Bill Before State Of The Union Speech
Senators will vote at 8 a.m. Christmas Eve on the health overhaul legislation on Christmas Eve. Both Democrats and Republicans are viewing passage as inevitable.
More H1N1 Vaccines Available In U.S., Many Americans Don’t Want It
About 40 million Americans have received the swine flu vaccine, according to the CDC.
Lawmakers Brace For Conference As House Liberals Vow Not To Give In On Key Issues
Democrats are looking ahead – and at each other – before beginning the “potentially difficult” process of reconciling the Senate and House versions of health care reform.
More H1N1 Vaccines Available In U.S., Many Americans Don’t Want Vaccination
While an increasing number of H1N1 (swine flu) vaccines are available in the U.S., “more than half of American adults say they still don’t want it, and one-third of parents say they don’t want their children to get it either, according to two surveys,” the Washington Post reports. “As of this week, 111 million doses of vaccine against the pandemic strain of H1N1 flu have been released to states and cities. Not all have been used. There have been no unusual or unexpected vaccine side effects reported.”
VOA News Examines Obstetric Fistula In Africa
VOA News examines obstetric fistula in Africa and looks at health officials’ efforts to prevent and treat the condition. “Poverty is the biggest factor. Access to a Caesarean section to relieve the pressure of obstructed labor is the most common way of preventing an unborn child from pressing so tightly in the birth canal that it cuts off blood flow to surrounding tissue,” the news service writes.
GlobalPost Examines Antibiotic Resistance In China
GlobalPost examines antibiotic resistance and overprescribing in China. The country “has high rates of antibiotic resistance and a health care system that provides strong financial incentives for over-prescribing antibiotics. Now the central government is taking measures to change that. Stockpiling antibiotics at home is a common practice among Chinese households,” GlobalPost writes.
Costs Of Health Overhaul May Be Felt Before Benefits Accrue
News outlets examine how health care reform legislation will affect consumers.
LA Hospital Illustrates Dilemma Of Expensive End Of Life Care
End-of-life care has become a target for critics trying to reduce health care costs, but it often involves difficult and complex decision making.
