Latest KFF Health News Stories
Public Option Issue Likely To Face Tuesday Senate Finance Vote
Inclusion of a government-run public option for health insurance is dividing insurers and lawmakers as Democrats intend to force a vote on the issue as early as Tuesday in the Senate Finance Committee.
Today’s Opinions And Editorials
Kaiser Health News presents a selection of Monday’s editorials and opinions.
Deal Between GSK, Brazil To Strengthen Country’s Pharmaceutical R&D
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Chief Executive Andrew Witty on Friday announced Brazil has agreed to buy roughly $2.2 billion of the company’s vaccine for pneumococcal disease, Synflorix, for a period of at least eight years, in exchange for a technology transfer, eventually allowing Brazil to manufacture the vaccine itself, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Secretary of State Clinton Announces Food Security Initiative
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Friday “unveiled
New York Hospital System Invests In Digital Patient Records
A New York hospital group is expected to announce an ambitious effort Monday to digitize records throughout its 13-hospital system.
State Round Up: California E.R. Traffic Up While Massachusetts Plan Proves Popular
California’s state capital area is hit with a 25 percent increase in emergency room patients while Massachusetts’ health system remains popular.
Additional Countries To Join In Donating H1N1 Vaccines To Developing Countries, U.N Official Says
Additional countries are expected to soon announce they will follow in the footsteps of nine developed countries who recently said they would donate H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine supplies to poorer nations, David Nabarro, of the U.N. said Friday, Reuters reports.
Republicans Fight To Spare Medicare From Cuts, Dems Confront Overhaul’s Affordability Issues
Democrats are focusing on the cost of covering the middle class while Republicans accuse Democrats of trying to cut Medicare to pay for health reform.
Dialysis Patients Often Not Told About Transplant Options, Newspaper Reports
An investigation by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review finds that dialysis patients are often not told about the possibility for transplants, even though the procedure could be cheaper and lead to longer lives.
Health Care Reform: Detailing Women’s Stake In The Debate
A New York Times blog, examining health care reform as a women’s issue, finds women in a precarious situation because of they need more health care than men but are often dependent on men for insurance.
Timeline Tightening On Senate Finance Reform Bill
Sen. Max Baucus readies his committee to finish its markup by Thursday or Friday, while aides point to Oct. 12 for Senate floor debate on a merged bill.
Insurance Industry Eyeing Potential Victories As Overhaul Efforts Progress
The individual mandate, health insurance cooperatives and rule-writing by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners are all become important elements of the Baucus reform bill.
GAO Finds That A Federal Program Is Missing Problem Nursing Homes
A federal program to investigate poor performing nursing homes misses hundreds of troubled facilities, GAO reports.
Administration Officials Court Key Lawmakers On Health Care
White House aides are preparing full court press on the Hill for health care reform, and the president will play a strong role.
Government Plans Intense Monitoring For Swine Flu Vaccine Side Effects
Although health officials say they have no reason to expect any unusual problems with the H1N1 vaccine, the government is establishing an extensive tracking system for possible side effects.
Private Health System Takes Root In British Columbia
Private clinics and surgical centers, although technically illegal in British Columbia, have begun to attract consumers who are looking for shorter waits for health care.
Company Gives Officials, Lawmakers A Preview Of How Health ‘Exchanges’ Work
Officials and lawmakers get a preview of how a health reform plan may look like by examining health exchanges.
First Edition: September 28, 2009
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Fresh From G-20, Obama Renews Health Care Push
President Barack Obama told the Congressional Black Caucus that ‘the country cannot wait any longer’ for health reform, but did not mention a pubic option. The administration is courting key senators for a Senate Finance Committee vote this week.
Progress On The Baucus Bill Is In The Eye Of The Beholder
As the Senate Finance Committee prepares to take up health overhaul legislation on Tuesday, sniping between the parties and among Democrats is taking a toll. Chairman Max Baucus insists the committee is moving forward.
