Latest KFF Health News Stories
House Republicans Offer Health Overhaul Plan
House Republicans posted a GOP health care proposal online Tuesday night.
House Legislation Seeks 5 Days Of Sick Leave For Workers
Responding to the current flu epidemic, a California congressman introduced a bill mandating that companies provide sick leave to employees if bosses tell the workers to stay home because they are ill.
Insurers’ Pricing Practices Targeted By Senate Health Committee
Senate health committee Chairman Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, asked four of the nations largest health insurers
Veterans Administration Leads In E-Health Exchange, Too
The Veterans Health Administration was at the avant-garde of electronic medical records in the 1980s, but more recently, it’s also blazed the trail for exchanging health information between providers.
Health Bills Don’t Go Far Enough In Cutting Costs, Experts Say
Experts say the health bills being considered in Congress don’t go far enough to curb costs.
Conflicts Of Interest Examined Between Doctors and Medical Industry, AARP And Reform
Sunshine provisions to examine the financial relationships between doctors and the medical industry are in the health care reform bills while some question the AARP’s role in reform.
First Edition: November 3, 2009
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including updates on the timing and politics of Congress’ health reform effort.
Agreement in Boston will give a pediatric hospital a portion of insurers’ savings to continue research. The report on the Veterans Affairs hospital in Illinois comes two years after an increase in the post-surgical death rate.
GOP Health Reform Bill Takes Shape As Draft Circulates On Capitol Hill
The Republican blueprint includes incentives for people to use health savings accounts and caps on non-economic jury awards in medical malpractice cases. It also would allow health insurance to be sold across state lines.
Reid: Lawmakers May Not Complete Health Legislation This Year
Senate leadership is suggesting that health reform might not be completed this year.
News Outlets Examine First World Pneumonia Day
To mark the first World Pneumonia Day, Inter Press Service examines how vaccines and other strategies can be used to combat the disease, which kills more children under age 5 each year “than measles, malaria, and AIDS combined, according to the Global Coalition against Child Pneumonia.”
Health Affairs Issue Focuses On HIV/AIDS, NTDs
By 2031 developing countries could need an estimated $35 billion to fight HIV/AIDS
U.S. government data released on Monday confirmed that a single dose of the vaccine protects pregnant women from the virus, while children under the age of 10 years need two doses of the vaccine, the Washington Post reports. The findings came the same day that a team of experts tasked with monitoring the national H1N1 vaccine campaign for any adverse side effects met for the first time.
New Health Privacy Regulations Spark Debate
Bipartisan group of congressman argue new rule leaves loopholes.
CBO: House Health Bill Would Lower Some Middle Class Premiums, Raise Costs For Others
The cost of taxes and fees on the rich along with an increasing overall cost of the health bill has many others worried that health care reform will cost too much.
House Democrats Pick Up Some Moderate Votes For Health Bill
Democrats are picking up some centrist votes for the their health care reform bill, though a whip list leak has led to problems counting votes on support for a more moderate public option.
Senate Dems ‘Bristle’ Over CBO Scoring Decisions, Directive To Keep Mum About Health Bill Details
The Congressional Budget Office has few friends on either side of the aisle with lawmakers complaining about its scope, timeline to deliver scores and murky cost estimates.
Business Groups Begin TV Ad Campaign Against House Health Bill
Lobbying and business groups continue to organize and spend millions to shape health care reform.
Today’s Selection Of Opinions And Editorials
Today’s selection includes opinions from Sen. Joe Lieberman and NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous.
Louisiana Struggles With Medicaid Shortfall; Texas Governor Criticizes Reform
Newspapers report that Louisiana plans to find alternative funding and cut spending on mental health to help meet Medicaid needs. Meanwhile the Texas governor lashed out at Democratic reform proposals but refuses to rule out accepting possible federal incentives to insure more state residents.
