Latest KFF Health News Stories
U.S. Changes HIV Policy To Allow Foreigners With Virus To Enter The Country
Two new policies on HIV have been issued by the United States government with Medicare covering screening and foreigners with the virus being allowed to enter the country.
New Federal Law Expands Mental Health Coverage
The Los Angeles Times reports on the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which went into effect on Jan. 1.
Lawmakers, Public Grapple With Health Care Endgame
Many Democrats consider their health overhaul a political liability now, but “are betting that the only thing worse than passing a bill many of them don’t like is not passing one at all.”
CMS Study Finds Senate Health Bill Would Increase Costs Less Steeply Than Thought
A report from the Center on Medicare and Medicaid Services finds that the Senate health bill would increase spending less steeply than previously thought.
Uphill Battles For Lawmakers As Intensity Picks Up On Health Bill Negotiations
Politico reports that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi “is telling her caucus not to believe stories that the House will simply roll over and accept the Senate’s hard-fought health care bill.”
Obama To Meet With Labor Leaders Regarding ‘Cadillac’ Tax In Health Overhaul Legislation
Labor leaders are eager to get Presdient Barack Obama to help them scale back a proposed tax on high cost insurance plans and will meet with him Monday.
A Wellness Provision In The Senate Reform Bill Draws Opposition
A health overhaul provision meant to encourage healthier lifestyles by allowing companies to give insurance discounts to workers who meet certain milestones has run into unlikely opposition.
In Weekly Address, Obama Focuses On Immediate Benefits Of Health Bill
“President Obama said Saturday that Americans would see immediate benefits from a landmark overhaul of the nation’s health insurance system, and he urged Congress to reconcile swiftly differences on the legislation so it could be signed into law in the coming weeks,” The New York Times reports.
First Edition: January 11, 2010
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Economist Examines Innovative Mechanisms For Funding Global Health Programs
The Economist examines the “dramatic” change in funding for projects aimed at fighting diseases in the developing world. “In 1990 more than two-thirds of the $5.6 billion spent on global health assistance came from governments.
During a media briefing Thursday, Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC, warned against complacency over the H1N1 (swine flu), and encouraged Americans who had not yet received the H1N1 vaccine to do so, CNN reports.
Shah Sworn In As USAID Administrator
On Thursday, Rajiv Shah was sworn in as USAID administrator at an official ceremony in Washington, D.C., Foreign Policy’s blog, “The Cable,” reports. “Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed overwhelming praise and relief before swearing in Shah,” according to the blog, which noted that Clinton’s remarks provided some “insider details” about Shah.
Today’s Opinions And Editorials
Kaiser Health News presents a selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
White House Rallies Democratic Governors Around Health Reform
The White House is calling on Democratic governors to help defend the health care overhaul.
Hurdles To Clear In The Senate’s Reform Endgame, And Possible 2010 Consequences
After a meeting with President Barack Obama, Sen. Max Baucus said, “We are moving well. We’ve got a lot to cover.”
Health Bill Negotiations: House Democrats Tussling On Taxes, Exchanges
House Democrats Thursday strategized on tactics to resolve differences between their health reform bill and the Senate’s, especially focusing on taxes.
About 3 Million Lose Health Coverage In California
Effort to cut state budget last summer left about 3 million poor residents without health benefits or access to health care.
VA Expected To Move Soon To Cover More Effects Of Agent Orange
The Department of Veterans Affairs expected to issue a rule soon that presumes Parkinson’s disease, B cell leukemia and heart disease are the result of chemical used during the Vietnam War.
