Latest KFF Health News Stories
States Struggle With Immigrants’ Care And Funding Mental Hospitals
News outlets report on a variety of state health issues including immigrants’ challenges when trying to access new care in Massachusetts and a proposal to find funding to keep a mental hospital open in Maryland.
DOJ Investigates Alleged Fraud By Drugmakers; Sanctions On WellCare Lifted
Newspapers focus on alleged fraud in the drug and insurance industries.
Senators Make Health Reform Positions Known
News outlets examined various health-reform-related activities in the Senate.
Study Reiterates That U.S. Health Quality Trails Spending Compared With Other Countries
“Despite spending more than twice as much as other developed countries, the United States still lags behind in terms of access and quality, an international survey said Wednesday,” Agence France-Presse reports.
Lack Of Evidence A Problem For Policymakers, Doctors And Patients
One category of medical mysteries that stumps expert doctors and policymakers alike falls under the heading: What works? News reports on two new studies
New FDA Program Targets Drug Dosage Errors
Federal Drug Administration Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg announced a new “Safe Use” program for drugs on Wednesday.
Consumers In Search Of Saving Money Should Reconsider Prescription Drug Choices
Despite pharmaceutical companies’ ad campaigns, cheaper drug alternatives are available and effective for many conditions.
Democrats Must Clear Remaining Hurdles On Path To Health Vote
As House Democrats move towards a weekend vote, they must resolve a series of outstanding issues, such as taxes and immigration.
Doctors Scrutinize Defensive Medicine, Surgeons Oppose Senate Reform Bill
The feud between doctors and lawyers over defensive medicine makes it difficult to determine how much the practice is contributing to health care costs.
GOP Lawmakers Seek To Explore Health Reform’s Impact On FEHBP
Republican lawmakers are seeking assurances regarding how the FEHBP will fare under pending health reform proposals.
CBO: GOP Health Bill Would Cut Deficit Somewhat, Do Little To Expand Coverage
A Congressional Budget Office report on the Republican version of the House health care bill would reduce the deficit but leave about 17 percent of Americans uninsured.
College Students Increasingly Seek Campus Health Care
Coverage varies widely from campus to campus but college health programs are considered a good value.
Saturday Night Vote Set On House Health Reform Bill
Democratic leaders have scheduled a Saturday night vote on sweeping health care reform, and are scrambling to reach consensus on abortion and other language.
Study: Public Opinion On Health Care Reform Has Echoes Of 1994
“Americans’ opinion of the health care proposals now before Congress is eerily similar to public sentiment about the Clinton health reform initiatives in 1994,” according to a new study, The Boston Globe reports.
AARP, Key Retirees’ Lobby, To Endorse Democrats’ Health Bill
AARP, the influential retirees’ lobby, is expected to endorse House Democrats’ plan to overhaul the health system today.
First Edition: November 5, 2009 – House Vote Saturday?
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports on the House health bill vote expected to take place on Saturday.
GOP Frames Election Outcome As Rebuff Of Dems’ Health Overhaul, But Pelosi Paints A Rosier Picture
“Republican victories in two gubernatorial elections are casting a shadow on House Democratic efforts to secure support from wavering members for health-care legislation,” Dow Jones Newswires/The Wall Street Journal reports.
House Dems Unveil ‘Manager’s Amendment,’ Set Stage For Saturday Floor Vote
House Democrats take another big step toward a pivotal floor vote on their health care overhaul as early as the weekend, after offering tweaks to the 1,990-page bill.
PEPFAR Expands Efforts To Improve Health Services Worldwide Through Use Of Mobile Devices
Fierce Mobile reports on the recent announcement that PEPFAR is teaming up with the United Nations Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation and Vodafone Foundation to be a founding member of the mHealth Alliance, “a group seeking to bring health services to the most remote corners of the globe using mobile networks and technologies.” U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Eric Goosby announced the partnership during a keynote address last week during the inaugural mHealth Summit in Washington, D.C., according to the news service (Versel, 11/3).
