Archives: Morning Breakouts

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about the likelihood that Democrats will slow down on the pending health overhaul.

The Los Angeles Times reports on how health workers in the Mississippi Delta region of the U.S. are hoping to mimic Iran's success in reducing infant mortality by recreating the country's low-cost rural healthcare delivery system in their own backyard. "Mississippi ranks at or near the bottom of most healthcare indexes.

At a meeting in Montreal, Canada, on Monday, international donors noted concerns, but agreed to a 10-year reconstruction plan to rebuild Haiti, the New York Times reports. "Given Haiti's long history of mismanagement of funds, international donors were hesitant to write a blank check. And foreign governments had concerns as well about the government's ability to direct a large reconstruction project after most government buildings were flattened or severely damaged in the Jan. 12 quake," the newspaper writes (Lacey/Thompson, 1/25).

In his second annual letter, Bill Gates reflects on the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's work and the importance innovation will play in overcoming some of the world's greatest challenges, including in global health and agriculture, the Associated Press/Wall Street Journal reports. "Gates says the foundation currently is backing 30 areas of innovation including online learning, teacher improvement, malaria vaccine development, HIV prevention, and genetically modified seeds," according to the news service (1/25).

Local news stories explore the impact of state budget cuts on local health providers.

The president acknowledged Monday in an interview with ABC News' Diane Sawyer that among the biggest mistakes "was the confusing way in which the health bill was shaped."

Some health executives are still calling for reform in the wake of Scott Brown's upset victory in Massachusetts' Senate race last week.

The New York Times says a new government report has found that obesity is up but so is exercise.

Utah, Virginia lawmakers working to let state control key decisions on health care. Other states worry about how federal legislation could affect Medicaid programs.

Democrats are close to making a decision about whether to use the procedural maneuver called budget reconciliation to pass a health care reform bill.

Republicans are seeking a consensus on health care of their own now that Democrats can no longer go it alone, having lost their filibuster-proof 60-vote Senate majority.

Meanwhile, groups representing medical professionals, seniors and women urged lawmakers to press on with reform efforts despite tough new political landscape.

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including Dems continuing efforts to develop a going-forward strategy for health reform and what Republicans might do, too.

During the WHO's recent executive board meeting, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan reflected on public health gains over the past decade and the challenges that lie ahead, Nigeria's Guardian reports. Chan commended the international community's response to H1N1 and global efforts to reduce child mortality, fight malaria and tuberculosis.