Latest KFF Health News Stories
House Dems Consider Taxing Insurers For High-Premium Plans
In the House, Democrats are considering levying a tax on insurance companies for providing high-premium plans. In the Senate, the Finance Committee has recessed before considering the public option.
IRIN Examines How User Fees Have Kept Most Vulnerable From Accessing Healthcare
IRIN examines how fees for medical services have kept poor populations from accessing services, in light of the recent announcement by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown that he was launching a program aimed at greatly reducing such fees in Malawi, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nepal and Burundi.
WHO Lowers Expectation Of H1N1 Vaccine Output, Appeals For Donations To Fight Pandemic
International drug makers are expected to produce three billion doses of the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine, “enough for just under half the world’s population,” a WHO official said Thursday, Canwest News Service/Ottawa Citizen reports. “The agency was hoping pharmaceutical companies would be able to make about five billion doses a year, but data collected over the summer led to the revised estimate,” the news service writes.
In light of the U.S. Army’s announcement yesterday that an experimental HIV vaccine trial it is sponsoring in Thailand showed modest potential for preventing infection, the Associated Press/Washington Post examines how military research is contributing to the fight against major diseases around the world.
A draft G20 communique revealed Friday that the group of countries “has called on the World Bank to work with donor agencies to create a multilateral trust fund to increase agricultural investment in poor countries,” Reuters reports. In July, the G8 launched a $20 billion agriculture initiative to help developing countries.
UPS Pledges $9M To Help Relief Organizations, Combating Human Trafficking Addressed At CGI
Shipping company UPS on Thursday at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) annual meeting, “announced a multi-year, $9 million project to help relief organizations respond better to global emergencies,” the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
At Finance Committee, Fireworks Surround Efforts To Add Drug Discount, Eliminate Individual Mandate
In a victory for President Obama and Finance Chairman Max Baucus, Finance Committee Senators on Thursday defeated an amendment to proposed health care reform that would have tried to squeeze more money out of pharmaceutical companies.
Senate Public Plan Advocates Ready For Finance Committee Face-Off
Some senators in the Senate Finance Committee are continuing their push for a public health insurance option run by the government to compete with private insurers.
Pelosi Continues Push For Public Plan In House Bill
As the House gets ready to work out the details of the health care overhaul legislation, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is pressing for a public plan.
Frustrated Doctors Say Insurers Meddle In Patient Care
Some doctors say insurers meddle in the care they provide to patients, but others say insurer guidelines could help doctors improve their practice.
Today’s Opinions And Editorials
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Health Coverage, Quality Depend Heavily On Geography
Census Bureau data show that health care quality and coverage is closely connected to geography.
Business, Once An Ally, Now Stands Against Republicans On Health Reform
Big business has severed itself from the Republican Party on the issue of health reform because of soaring costs and their bottom lines.
State Round-up: Warnings, Coverage And Violations In Health Care
Kaiser Health News presents a round-up of state health news from around the United States.
Health Officials Anticipate 6 Million H1N1 Vaccine Doses By Early October
There will be enough doses of H1N1 vaccine to go around, HHS Secretary Sebelius says.
Kirk Named To Replace Kennedy, Bringing Senate Democrats To Crucial 60 Votes
Senate Democrats reach crucial 60 with the announcement of Ted Kennedy’s interim Senate replacement.
On Quality Of Care, U.S. Is Not Always Best
Politicians, physicians and policy experts compare U.S. health care to other countries and say no one is best. Meanwhile, Puerto Ricans fear health overhaul might not help them as much as other U.S. citizns.
CBO Scores On Health Bills Raise Questions
Various news outlets are examining the Congressional Budget Office’s analysis of the cost of health bills.
Finance Committee Agonizes Over Medicare Cuts
Seniors, costs and Medicare are at the center of debate over health care reform.
