Latest KFF Health News Stories
DC HIV Study: Can Intense Treatment Prevent Spread?
The NIH-supported study will provide tools to the District of Columbia’s health department to improve patient tracking and follow-up.
Veterans’ Health: Measuring The Scope Of Mental Health Challenges
NPR highlights the efforts of retired General Eric Shinseki, who heads the Department of Veterans Affairs, to measure the scope of veterans’ mental health issues.
Suggestions Abound For Cutting National Health Care Costs
Two publications looked at the problem of rising health costs and ways to try to “bend the cost curve.”
Overhaul Could Leave Kids’ Hospitals Strapped For Cash
Health reform could place a disproportionate burden on children’s hospitals, because they will face cuts along with other hospitals, but do not stand to benefit from expansions in insurance coverage, industry advocates say.
Democrats Insist Obama Trip To Asia Won’t Slow Health Care Bill
President Barack Obama won’t likely miss much in the way of the health care reform debate while he is in Asia for eight days, aides say.
First Edition: November 13, 2009
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports of the possibility of a Medicare payroll tax in health reform legislation as well as continuing analysis of the overhaul’s winners and losers and the CDC’s new estimate of the far-reach of the swine flu.
Details Emerge For Possible Medicare Payroll Tax In Senate Health Bill
A proposal to apply Medicare taxes to capital gains earned by wealthy Americans as part of health overhaul legislation is ‘in play’ as the Senate continues to move toward floor action on the sweeping bill.
Washington Independent Looks At Response To Newly Nominated USAID Head
The Washington Independent examines the development community’s response to the nomination of Rajiv Shah for USAID administrator.
CDC Expected To Revise Estimated Number Of U.S. H1N1 Deaths
Ahead of the anticipated CDC release of revised U.S. H1N1 (swine flu) death toll estimates, Reuters examines how the agency and WHO measure the impact of the virus, after both organizations “stopped trying to count actual cases months ago, once it became clear that H1N1 was a pandemic that would infect millions.”
Health Minister Calls For Ramped Up Fight Against HIV/AIDS In South Africa
South African health minister Aaron Motsoaledi on Tuesday called for a reinvigorated effort in the country’s fight against HIV/AIDS, echoing comments recently made by South African President Jacob Zuma, Agence France-Presse reports.
Food Summit Draft Declaration Omits Hunger Eradication Deadline, Aid Commitment
“A declaration to be made at next week’s world food summit in Rome will not mention a target to eradicate hunger by 2025 nor a commitment to spend $44 billion a year in agricultural aid, according to a final draft,” Reuters reports (Aloisi, 11/12).
Almost 200M Undernourished Children Worldwide, Report Says
In developing countries, almost 200 million children under the age of 5 “suffer from stunted growth and health problems due to poor nutrition in their early years,” according to a UNICEF report released on Wednesday, Reuters reports.
CDC Expected To Revise H1N1 Mortality Figures
Based on the anticipated revised estimates, the number of American H1N1 deaths is more than triple that of earlier projections.
Businesses At Risk From Health Reform, Or Status Quo, Depending On Source
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Employment Policies Institute and other friends of business have joined to launch a national television ad campaign, beginning Thursday, that will warn against passage of the health care overhaul.
Florida Officials Say Medicaid Reimbursement Formula Will Drive Deficit
Florida officials are saying a drop in federal funding for their Medicaid program will leave the state on the hook for a dramatic increase in spending, or force officials to make cuts in the program to provide health care to the poor.
Timeline, Vote Counting Continue To Be Central To Senate Health Overhaul
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is considering a payroll tax on earners who make more than $250,000 a year to help pay for health care reform.
Pew Report: Nine States Face Budget Crises Of Californian Magnitude
A new Pew analysis titled “Beyond California: States in Fiscal Peril” warns that nine other states are also on the brink of economic catastrophe.
Congressional Democrats Seek To Maintain Health Overhaul Momentum
The Senate could begin debating a health care overhaul next week but House leaders warn that final action might not come until Christmas week.
Senators Won’t Grow Deficit Without A Cost-Cutting Commission
Congress may outsource its tough budgetary decisions if moderate, deficit-anxious lawmakers have their way.
