Latest KFF Health News Stories
HIV Peaked In 1996, According To The United Nations
The number of HIV cases worldwide – 33 million – has not changed during the last two years and the epidemic peaked in 1996, according to United Nations’ figures, The Associated Press reports.
Bloomberg Examines Sec. Of State Clinton’s Focus On Women
Bloomberg examines Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s “fervor for making women’s advancement a core part of her national-security efforts.”
Hospital Officials Report Job Cuts, Concern About Possible Effects Of Reform
A Chicago hospital’s executives worry about how health care reform may affect it while some Ohio hospitals prepare to cut their budgets.
Africa Region Leaders Meet To Discuss H1N1 Procurement, Distribution
Representatives of African countries are meeting in Abuja this week to discuss the procurement and distribution of the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine, the Daily Trust/allAfrica.com reports (Rabiu, 11/23).
New Medicare Rules On Home-Oxygen Affect Patients, Businesses
New Medicare payment rules for home-oxygen pinch patients and hurt some businesses.
Poll: Women In Their 40’s Will Still Get Mammograms, Despite New Guidelines
Many respondents to the USA Today/Gallup Poll said they planned to ignore the new guidelines.
Insurers Under Fire For Denials Of Care, Inadequate Coverage
When people talk about revamping the health care system, they often mention unfair denials of care by insurance companies and medical debt, both in the news today.
First Edition: November 24, 2009
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including the latest developments regarding health reform’s public option and indications that December will be a busy month.
New York Times Magazine Examines Needle-Exchange Programs
In a New York Times magazine article, Tina Rosenberg examines how needle sharing has contributed to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the viability of needle exchange programs as a prevention strategy.
AP/News-Observer Examines State Of Vaccine Research
The Associated Press/News-Observer examines revitalized vaccine research, including for such conditions as malaria, TB and HIV. “Vaccines are no longer a sleepy, low-profit niche in a booming drug industry. Today, they’re starting to give ailing pharmaceutical makers a shot in the arm,” according to the article.
Today’s Opinions And Editorials
Kaiser Health News presents a selection of Monday’s opinions and editorials from around the country.
’60 Minutes’ On End-Of-Life Health Spending: ‘Is There A Better Way?’
While all Americans will eventually die, CBS’s 60 Minutes reports, it may turn some heads to find out how much the government will spend as they do so: In 2008, $50 billion in the last two months of life.
Guardian Examines Challenge Of Testing, Treating Patients With HIV/AIDS In Kenya
The Guardian examines the challenge of testing and treating some of the estimated 1.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya. “Deep-rooted stigma and patchy health education has led many to cower from the disease, which has seen the country’s life expectancy rates shortened by 20 years in the last two decades,” the newspaper writes.
Doctor Shortage Issue Heats Up With Reform Efforts
Will there be enough primary care physicians to handle the new patients if health reform passes and offers insurance for millions of the uninsured?
Los Angeles’ MLK Hospital Cuts Deal To Reopen
A plan to reopen the Martin Luther King Jr. hospital as a private, nonprofit facility in partnership with the University California, is the latest example in a new trend among public hospitals that has lead to greater efficiency, and often quality elsewhere.
Lobbying Is Up As Health Industry Examines Impact Of Reform Proposals
Lobbying is up as business and industry groups – and their leaders – consider what health care reform means to them.
Health Debate Bears Down On Senators
Democrat Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas faces pressure from both sides while others question Senators’ conflicts of interest.
