Latest KFF Health News Stories
An Unexpected Ally For Health Reform: The Restaurant Industry
“While many small businesses are fighting to block passage of health care reform, restaurant owners have decided to work for something they can support,” Politico reports.
First Edition: December 8, 2009
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the latest developments on pending amendments and regarding Democrats’ ongoing efforts to find common ground on the public insurance option.
Reid’s Slavery, Suffrage Comparison Draws A Sharp Retort From GOP
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., compared the Republicans’ efforts to thwart the Democrats’ health overhaul to past campaigns to obstruct progress on slavery, women’s suffrage and civil rights, triggering a sharp reaction from the GOP.
Utah Pilot Project Seeks To Reduce Health Care Spending
A pilot project in Utah seeks to reduce overuse of health care, which is partially related to the fee-for-service model.
Senate Democrats Seek Agreement On Public Plan Alternative
The 10 Dems trying to cobble together a workable compromise are considering a range of changes in the bill.
Intellectual Property Watch Examines WHO Working Group On Drug Development Financing
Intellectual Property Watch examines the wrap-up of a WHO meeting of experts discussing innovative ways to finance research and development for products to treat diseases in developing countries and reports that recommendations by the group are expected to be released within a few weeks.
New York Times Examines Aid To African Orphans
The New York Times looks at how aid is distributed to children who have lost parents in Malawi and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa and examines differing views on orphanages.
WHO To Expand Tobacco Control Efforts In Africa
The WHO announced Friday it was expanding its efforts to control tobacco use in Africa, Reuters/ABC News reports. The agency “said it wanted to stop tobacco from becoming as prevalent in Africa as it is in other parts of the world and would set up a regional hub in 2010 for health experts to work with governments to introduce anti-smoking policies,” the news service writes.
H1N1 Reported In Gaza, Southern Sudan
Two women have become the first to die from H1N1 (swine flu) in Gaza, health officials said Monday, Agence France-Presse/Inquirer.net reports.
Black Women May Need Different Mammogram Guidelines
Some researchers are calling for earlier mammograms for African-American women because breast cancer tends to strike them at a younger age.
States Struggle With Budget Cuts And Medicaid Funding Issues
News outlets report on a variety of health issues at the state level especially budget cuts and Medicaid funding issues.
Gawande: A ‘Hodgepodge’ Of Pilot Programs May Be The Right Approach To Cut Health Costs
Legislation to overhaul the American health system lacks an overarching plan to curb the rising costs of medicine, explains Atul Gawande, the influential surgeon and writer.
Today’s Opinions And Editorials
Today’s selection of opinions and editorials.
Last-Ditch Public Option Compromise Looks To Federal Employees’ Plan
As the health care debate grinds forward, a group of ten Democratic senators
In New Jersey, Cosmetic Surgery Tax Reaped Funds Far Below Projections
A tax on cosmetic care and surgery proposed in the Senate as a way of helping pay for health care reform didn’t raise a third of the amount it was projected to garner when instituted in New Jersey, the only state that has such a tax.
Small Businesses Recast Reform Role In Hopes Of Health Care Cost Relief
The small business lobby is trying to recast its image as it considers how health care reform and other issues will affect its standing, CQ Politics reports.
Demand For Doctors In Rural Areas And Primary Care Physicians Increases
Physician workforce issues receive increased attention as rural doctors provide needed services and reform efforts increase the demand for primary care physicians.
Senators To Take On Abortion This Week
Senate Democrats will begin the new week by taking on one of the most divisive issues for their caucus: abortion.
