Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: November 2, 2009
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations include insights into President Obama’s behind-the-scenes role in advancing the Democrats’ health overhaul efforts in Congress and analyses of the public insurance option.
Many Details Still Bedevil Democrats In Health Reform Bills
Democrats are braced for a significant week ahead, ironing out significant differences in various health reform bills.
Administration Officially Ends HIV Travel Ban
The White House announces an end to a travel ban for HIV-infected travelers.
As House Bill Continues To Stir Reaction, Focus Turns To Costs, Potential Amendments
Lawmakers and various groups continue to react to the House health bill, which was released Thursday and may significantly increase federal health care spending.
Advocates Call For Increased U.S. Investment In Global Health
A report released Thursday by a group of global health experts outlines ways the U.S. can work toward increasing access to health care throughout the world, Inter Press Service reports.
ABC News Reports On U.S. Food Aid Policy
ABC News examines U.S. food aid policy, which “requires that food aid money be spent on food grown in the U.S., at least half of it must be packed in the U.S. and most of it must be transported in U.S. ships.” But “critics are complaining that” these policies are “exacerbating the cycle of starvation.”
New York Times Examines Efforts Underway To Prevent Spread Of H1N1 During Hajj
The New York Times examines how Saudi Arabia is preparing for the upcoming annual pilgrimage of some “2.5 million people from 160 countries” to Mecca, some who “will be bringing the swine flu.”
New York Times Examines Debate Over U.S. Global Health Spending Priorities
The New York Times examines the “debate over whether the United States and other rich nations spend too much on AIDS, which requires lifelong medications, compared with diarrhea and the other leading killer of children, pneumonia, both of which can be treated inexpensively.”
Today’s Opinions And Editorials
Kaiser Health News presents a selection of Friday’s opinions and editorials from around America.
Grenadian Prime Minister Calls For Continued Investment In Caribbean HIV/AIDS Programs
During the 9th annual general meeting of the Pan Caribbean Partnership on HIV and AIDS (PANCAP)
House Democrats Hail, Question Health Reform Bill
The House health reform bill, unveiled yesterday, is causing praise and some consternation among Democrats on Capitol Hill. Speaker Nancy Pelosi is making compromises to try to ensure 218 votes for the bill.
Health Industry Stakeholders Focus On Pain, Not Gain
Businesses, including medical device makers, insurers and pharmaceutical companies are bracing for tax and fee provisions in the House health care reform bill.
Obama Woos Small Business To Support Health Reform
Obama told small business owners Thursday that Democrats’ health reform plans would mean million of their peers would get new tax credits to help pay for insurance, and that the smallest firms could save around 25 percent on insurance costs through new exchanges.
House GOP’s ‘Better Ideas’ Remain Under Wraps
“House Republicans said the newly released Democratic health care reform bill would create an expensive government-run heath care system paid for by those who could least afford it, but they declined to say whether they would introduce a conference alternative,” Roll Call reports.
New York And Louisiana Crack Down On Medicaid Fraud
Unlikely people become suspects in New York Medicaid fraud cases while Louisiana launches a new fraud prevention program.
Senators Jostle For Position On Health Reform Provisions
Senators are making their own plans for a public option and other provisions in the health care reform bill before debate starts in the upper chamber.
Wellness Programs Can Be Costly, But Have Proven Successful At One Corporation
Wellness and prevention programs, part of the health care legislation moving through Congress, are not easy to implement but at least one corporation says they are cost-effective.
Study: Lack Of Insurance May Have Caused 17,000 Child Deaths Over 20 Years
Johns Hopkins researchers find that uninsured children are 1.6 times more likely to die than children who had insurance.
In today’s state watch, Virginia plans to close a pharmacy for the mentally ill, Medicaid patients in Michigan are suing over dental care and Rhode Island reports that insurers remain healthy.
