Latest KFF Health News Stories
Though H1N1 (swine flu) activity worldwide has slowed, the potential of a new wave of infections in the northern hemisphere in late winter or early spring remains viable, Keiji Fukuda, the WHO’s top flu expert, said Monday at the start of the WHO’s weeklong Executive Board meeting, Reuters reports. The H1N1 pandemic “initially sparked widespread concern about antiviral and vaccine supplies, especially in developing countries, but many nations have cut back their vaccine orders recently because the pandemic has not turned out as deadly as originally feared,” the news service writes (Nebehay, 1/18).
Global Health Care Errors, Fraud Costs $260B Annually, Report Finds
A report released Monday finds $260 billion
Rescue, Relief Efforts Continue In Haiti, 200,000 People Estimated To Have Perished In Quake
Rescue efforts continue in Haiti after a major earthquake hit the country last week, CNN reports (1/18). While teams still search for survivors under the rubble, the priority is shifting to relief for those who survived the quake, Nicholas Reader, spokesperson for the U.N.Offices for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, TIME reports (Newton-Small,1/18).
GOP Effort To Recruit House Democrats To Oppose Health Overhaul Stalls
Roll Call finds that Republicans efforts to get Democrats in the House to abandon health overhaul have not made much progress and some targeted Democrats say they haven’t been approached by GOP.
Dems Plot Health Reform Contingency Plans If GOP Wins Massachusetts Senate Seat
Democrats are considering several courses of action to pass a health care reform bill if Massachusetts Senate hopeful Democrat Martha Coakley loses to Republican Scott Brown in a special election Tuesday.
Today’s Opinions And Editorials
A selection of today’s opinions and editorials from around the country.
California Limits HMO Wait Times
Other state developments include a new Texas HIV testing law that focuses on pregnant women.
Obama Seeks Elusive Health Care Victory By Months’ End
President Obama has plenty of reasons to hope Congress has completed its health overhaul debate by the end of the month, including: the just-scheduled State of the Union address on Jan. 27, a Feb. 1 deadline for submitting the 2011 federal budget to Congress, and flagging poll numbers.
Officials Debate Merits Of Medical Marijuana As Coping Tool In Pain Fight
As access to medical marijuana becomes more widespread, officials are debating its use as a pain coping treatment and easing rules for the sick to use the drug, The Wall Street Journal reports.
‘Secret Bill Writing’ And Washington Rumors Are Issues In Health Debate
Transparency in the legislative process has been on the decline for the past two decades, The Associated Press reports. “And it’s not just on the high-profile health care bill; the trend on much legislation is to shut the door and keep the minority party, cable TV and other media on the outside.”
Massachusetts’ Senate Election Could Shape Health Reform’s Endgame
The special election in Massachusetts for Sen. Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat could have an effect on national health care reform.
News Reports Question Health Reform Provisions, Forecast Legal Issues
News reports explore remaining issues in Congress’ health overhaul negotiations.
Medicare, Consumers Face Challenges When Trying To Make Choices Based On Value
Recent calls to base Medicare pay on rewarding quality is complicated because a hospital’s performance can be affected by charity cases and uninsured patients.
Spain Complaint: Too Many European Retirees With Expensive Health Problems
Since health care coverage moves with citizens through the European Union, Spain is complaining about the cost of treating an increasing number of foreign retirees.
Health IT Roundup: Sharing Data, Tracking Medical Errors And Revealing Costs
News reports explore developments in health and technology.
First Edition: January 19, 2010
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how today’s special Senate election in Massachusetts could impact health reform in Washington.
Democrats Plot Possible Health Bill Strategies If Mass. Seat Goes To GOP
Republican win in Massachusetts Senate race would deprive the Democrats of the 60th vote needed to overcome filibusters. The easiest option would be for the House to accept the bill already passed by the Senate, but House leaders are not eager to do that.
Mass. Senate Election Could Play Role In Health Reform Endgame
Some Democrats are discussing contingency plans in case the G.O.P. takes the seat and Democrats lose their 60th Senate vote.
Democrats Reportedly Settle Key Issues On Health Bill But No Final Accord Yet
Details have not been released from the talks but proposals are expected to be sent to Congressional Budget Office soon for a cost estimate.
