Latest KFF Health News Stories
New Online Portal Aims To Comprehensively Track Global Aid Flow
“A new online information portal on aid flows around the world” aims to improve transparency and prevent billions of dollars in international aid from being misused, according to academics and aid officials who launched the tool at a conference, Reuters AlertNet reports. A working version of the portal became available for the public on Tuesday, the news service reports.
Obama Requests $2.8B In Emergency Funds For Haiti
President Barack Obama sent a letter (.pdf) to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) Wednesday asking the Congress “for $2.8 billion in emergency funds to provide for costs associated with relief and reconstruction for Haiti, after its devastating earthquake on January 12,” Reuters reports.
Civil Society Groups Urge G8 To Follow Through With AIDS Funding Commitments
“Civil society organisations from around the world on Wednesday made a coordinated appeal to the Canadian government to help pressure the Group of Eight (G8) into fulfilling its aid commitments in the fight against AIDS,” which are predicted to be over $20 billion short of commitments pledged by the G8 during the Gleneagles summit in 2005, the Mail & Guardian reports.
PAHO Documents Increase In Dengue Fever Cases In Latin America
Countries in Latin America “are bracing this year for a particularly virulent outbreak of the mosquito-borne tropical disease” known as dengue fever, after reports show an increase in the number of cases recorded this year, Agence France-Presse reports. “The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) said so far it has logged some 146,000 cases in the first three months of the year, of which 79 have been fatal. This time last year there were some 79,000 cases of dengue reported, with 26 deaths,” the news service writes.
States Challenge Health Insurance Coverage Mandate As Leaders Decide On Participation
States are considering joining calls and action to test the constitutionality of a health insurance coverage mandate in a health reform law.
With Reform, Community Health Centers Will See Federal Funds Double
Federal funds double for community health clinics.
Medicare Pay Cut For Doctors Still Looms At End Of Month
“A health care overhaul may now be in place, but a pay cut for Medicare reimbursements to physicians looms again at the end of the month, and the president-elect of the American Medical Association said Wednesday that doctors are continuing to pursue a permanent fix for the system,” CQ Health Beat reports.
White House Scrambles To Fix Health Bill Language On Covering Sick Kids
The White House insists the health bill does bar insurers from denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions, starting this year. But others interpret the language in the law differently, prompting the Obama Administration to announce that clarifying regulations will be written soon.
Medicare Roundup: Changes From Health Reform, Payments For HIV Patients
Health care reform legislation creates changes to Medicare that affect costs for beneficiaries.
GOP Forces Second House Vote On Health Reconciliation Bill
Senate Republicans found a way to send a health reform reconciliation bill back to the House, identifying parliamentary flaws, including in a student loan provision.
Comparative Effectiveness Research In Reform Legislation Seeks To Control Health Costs
Bloomberg BusinessWeek reports on provisions for comparative effectiveness research.
Overhaul Will Affect Other Economic Sectors, Not Just Health Care
Health-overhaul legislation signed into law this week will affect not only America’s health care industry, but the broader economy, too.
Health IT Roundup: Fears Of Hackers, Efforts At Fraud Prevention
Reports examine privacy advocates concerns over digitized medical records and new anti-fraud efforts in North Carolina.
New Study: Egg Donors May Be Paid Too Much
The Wall Street Journal reports on a new study found that “nearly a quarter of the ads placed by egg-donation agencies and private couples violate” financial guidelines set by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.
Obama’s Closed-Door Signing Of Executive Order On Abortion Funding Raises Objections
President Barack Obama signed an executive order Wednesday pledging that no federal funding will be used for abortion under the new health bill.
Today’s OpEds: Rove, Coelho And Others On Health Reform And November
Kaiser Health News presents a selection of opinions and editorials.
Today’s early morning highlights stories from major news organizations, including reports on the progress of the health reconciliation bill, threats against Democrats because of their votes on the new health overhaul law and questions about a highly touted reform.
GOP Forces Reconciliation Bill Back To The House For Another Vote
Senate parliamentarian upholds Republican challenge to at least two provisions. Democrats say the changes are inconsequential and hope to have final approval before the weekend.
Democrats Expect To End Health Reconciliation Bill Debate Early
Senate Democratic leaders are trying to end debate on a health reform bill that “fixes” a health reform law early to get started on voting on amendments. Meanwhile, Sens. Lieberman and Webb announce they will support the bill.
