Latest KFF Health News Stories
CDC Aims For Improved Efficiency, Increased Support Of Science
Changes “aimed at increasing the agency’s efficiency and making it more user-friendly” include combining “the work of the malaria branch, the epidemiology program and HIV/AIDS efforts” under the newly formed Center for Global Health, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. According to the Federal Register, where the changes were outlined, the CDC’s Coordinating Center for Global Health will now be titled the Center for Global Health.
U.S. Encounter With Swine Flu Highlights Health System Weaknesses
Vaccine development constraints and hospital issues are among the weaknesses, the New York Times reports.
Health Care And Nursing Jobs Continue To Be In Demand
The new year brings a promise of new health care industry jobs but in certain places, such as Indiana, a shortage of faculty has lead to a shortage of trained nurses to fill jobs.
Health Debate Puts Nelson Under Scrutiny, Brings Attention To Dean
Nebraska Democrat Ben Nelson’s crucial 60th vote allowed his Senate colleagues to block a likely Republican filibuster and pass their version of the health overhaul legislation last month, but it also brought him unwelcome attention at home.
Despite Huge Expansion Of Coverage, Millions Of People Would Remain Uninsured Under Senate Bill
The Senate health care reform bill would leave as many as 23 million people without insurance by 2018, a hurdle for Democrats who want universal health care, The Washington Post reports.
Catholic Bishops Mandate Food, Water For Comatose Patients With Little Hope Of Recovery
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has directed Catholic hospitals to give food, water and medicine to comatose patients, The San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Congressional Negotiators Returning To Start Conference Talks On Health Reform Bill
Democratic lawmakers will begin this week to try to hammer out a compromise between the House and Senate versions of a health care reform bill as they keep an eye on votes for the measures.
Physicians Raise Concerns About Proposed Medicare Changes
Health care legislation seeks to reform Medicare and look for alternatives to the fee-for-service payment system, which critics say discourages care coordination and quality.
Health Reform Opponents Mobilize Against Individual Mandate
Some opponents of the congressional health bills “think their last, best hope to halt the legislation lies not in the U.S. Capitol but in the court across the street,” The Washington Post reports.
Obama Administration Focuses On Data-Driven Results In Health Care
NPR reports the budget office’s use of pedometers to encourage employees to do more physical activity exemplifies “the Obama administration [reliance] on intensive data-gathering to help mold behavior.”
Both Democrats And Republicans Plan Blitz To Shape Public Perceptions
Parties gearing up for push to shape how the consumers view the health bill.
GOP Assails ‘Widely Hated Legislation”
“Not even Ebenezer Scrooge himself could devise a scheme as cruel and greedy as Democrats’ government takeover of health care,” says House Minority Leader John Boehner.
Sen. Byrd Casts Vote For ‘My Friend’ Ted Kennedy
Frail West Virginia senator was brought into Senate chambers in a wheelchair for key votes.
Today’s Opinions And Editorials
Kaiser Health News presents a selection of today’s opinions and editorials from around America.
UNICEF Chief To Step Down After Term Ends In 2010
UNICEF Executive Director Ann Veneman will not seek a second term as head of the agency after her term expires in a few months, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced on Wednesday, Xinhua reports. In a statement, Ban said that he learned of Veneman’s plan to step down “with great regret.”
American Medical News Examines PEPFAR Five-Year Strategy
American Medical News examines the future of PEPFAR, as outlined in a five-year strategy released Dec. 1. “The plan’s five-year strategy report calls for strengthening other countries’ abilities to lead [a] response to the AIDS epidemic and other health issues, and expanding prevention, care and treatment,” the news service writes. “It also seeks to integrate and coordinate HIV/AIDS programs with broader global health and development programs to maximize the impact on health systems, and invest in innovation and operations research to improve patient care and provide the best outcomes.”
Obama Says Liberal Critics Are Overlooking Gains In Health Bill
“This notion I know among some on the left that somehow this bill is not everything that it should be … I think just ignores the real human reality that this will help millions of people and end up being the most significant piece of domestic legislation at least since Medicare and maybe since Social Security,” Obama tells NPR.
