Latest KFF Health News Stories
McConnell: GOP Will Seek Amendments To Offset Cost of Medicare Physician Pay Fix
The legislation is set for Senate floor debate next week.
Pelosi Raises Banner Of Public Plan In Response To Insurers’ Attacks
The health insurance industry’s recent attacks on health overhaul legislation only strengthens the case for the federal government to offer a competing health plan, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Thursday.
Drought Warnings In West Africa Raise Regional Food Security Concerns
A warning from Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency about drought in northern parts of the country has raised “concern about food security not only in Africa’s most populous nation but also in other parts of West Africa,” Reuters AlertNet reports.
WHO, UNICEF Publish Plan To Reduce Childhood Diarrhea Deaths
The WHO and UNICEF have released a seven-point treatment and prevention plan to reduce the number of children around the world who die from diarrhea, the BBC reports (10/14). BMJ News writes, “Every year 1.5 million children aged under 5 years die from diarrhoea, more than 80% of them in Africa and south Asia” (Zarocostas, 10/14).
Gates Foundation To Announce Grants To Promote Agriculture At World Food Prize Symposium
During a “keynote speech” Thursday at the World Food Prize Symposium in Des Moines, Iowa, Bill Gates, cofounder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is expected to announce $120 million in grants “to promote dynamic, home-grown, sustainable agriculture in Africa and India,” Agence France-Presse reports. In a statement, Gates said that “helping the poorest smallholder farmers grow more and get it to market is the world’s single most powerful lever for reducing hunger and poverty” (Zeitvogel, 10/15).
Democratic Lawmakers Seek Momentum, Republican Votes As Two Versions Of Reform Bills Are Combined
Senators are jockeying to get their issues heard as Democrats seek momentum and support.
Public Option Re-Emerges In Senate Discussions; Continues To Play Role In House
A public plan and how it will fit with vote counting is complicating Sen. Harry Reid’s efforts to merge the Senate bills into one that will also gel with the president’s agenda and the more liberal version of reform sure to come out of the House.
Minnesota Governor Proposes To Let Residents Buy Out-Of-State Insurance And Other State Headlines
Minnesotans may soon be able to purchase out-of-state health insurance policies as that state’s governor proposes health cost savings that also include letting for-profit insurers into Minnesota.
Power Coalesces Among A Few Senate Players, Not All Elected
Some key personalities in the Senate and White House are gaining influence over the health care debate.
Center Remains Elusive Despite Snowe’s Support
The political center remains elusive in the health care debate, despite Democrats’ glee after one version of the bill received a GOP vote.
Studies Find Frail Seniors Often Get Poor, Futile Care
Two studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine find that surprising number of elderly patients get futile care at the end of their lives.
Today’s Selection Of Opinions And Editorials
Opinions and editorials from around the country.
Slow Start For PSOs Meant To Help Providers Learn From Mistakes
A federal agency has designated 68 “Patient Safety Organizations” to help hosptials learn from mistakes, but has failed to give them the technology needed to get the job done.
Health Debate In Congress Could Last Well Into December
Senate and House leaders, noting planned breaks for holidays in November, say they expect the chambers to be in session deep into December to deal with health care legislation.
Lawmakers Seek To Quickly Fix Medicare Payments For Physicians
Senate could vote as early as next week on measure that would help physicians avoid massive cuts in Medicare payments and House action could come shortly too.
California Study Suggests More Spending Can Save Lives
An insurer in Utah is encouraging consumers to use less medical care, but a study of California hospitals suggests that sometimes spending more really does improve patient outcomes.
AARP Struggles To Educate Seniors About Health Care
AARP leaders try to convince seniors that health care reform could bring additional benefits but meet strong resistence. At the same time, the group is pushing for more concessions in the legislation.
Community Health Centers Would Grow Under Health Reform Bills
Community health centers may take on a larger role under health reform.
House Members Consider Where Others Stand In Health Reform Debate
House members are sounding off on particulars and each other, posturing for room in the discussion on health care reform.
