Latest KFF Health News Stories
Insurance Insiders Give Views On Health Reform
Washington state’s insurance commissioner, Mike Kreidler, a former Democratic member of Congress, and UnitedHealthcare Wisonsin’s CEO, Wendy Arnone, share their views on the health overhaul efforts in Washington.
Comp. Effectiveness Promises Better, Cheaper Health Care But Critics Link It To Rationing
A report released last week by two federal health agencies says the government will spend economic stimulus funding to compare both the clinical effectiveness and the cost effectiveness of various treatments, a position that could incite conservatives who already say the research could be used to ration care.
Lawmakers, Officials Distort The Facts To Support Or Oppose Health Overhaul
“Confusing claims and outright distortions have animated the national debate over changes in the health care system,” the Associated Press reports.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Dems Talk Compromise, GOP Prepares For Battle On Health Overhaul
Coverage on Sunday included talk of some possible compromise but also the ramping up of rhetoric as the August congressional recess begins.
Truth, Lies and ‘Talking Points’ In The Health Care Debate
As the health care debate has heated up, political parties are shaping their messages to influence the outcome. And, some politicians and advocacy groups are distorting or lying about what is in the legislation.
House Energy And Commerce Committee Approves Massive Health Overhaul
After weeks of negotiations and compromises, the Energy and Commerce Committee approved a health reform bill, 31-28. The vote clears the way for a September floor vote and both parties are geared up to debate the measure throughout the August recess.
House Democrats Reach Accord Over Health Reform Deal; Energy And Commerce Panel Continues Mark-Up
Details of the agreement that cleared the way are emerging. Meanwhile, the panel is continuing its consideration of amendments.
Veterans Object To House Bill, Call For Recognition, Preservation Of VA Programs
“Six high-profile veterans groups are raising objections to the House healthcare reform bill, warning House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., that it could jeopardize the care of millions of veterans,” the Hill reports.
Dodd Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer, Expected Back By Sept.
Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., has been diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer, a Connecticut Democratic Party spokeswoman told CQ Politics.
The National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors and the Kaiser Family Foundation released a report that “provides the first, comprehensive inventory of HIV prevention efforts at the state and local levels” and is based on a survey of 65 state health departments, including all state and territorial jurisdictions and six U.S. cities.
This week Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and other Washington, D.C. officials “were racing to persuade congressional leaders to erase a House amendment that would essentially reinstate” a ban on using the district’s tax dollars to fund needle exchange programs, the Washington Post reports.
San Francisco Organizations Urge Lawmakers To Restore HIV/AIDS Funding, Plan Rally
San Francisco area HIV/AIDS organizations are urging lawmakers to restore millions of dollars in funding for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs that were cut from the California budget by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) this week, KCBS.com reports.
Many Women Living With HIV Skip Pap Test Despite Increased Risk For Cervical Cancer, Study Finds
Nearly one in four women living with HIV did not receive an annual Pap test in the year prior to being interviewed, according to a study published in the Aug. 1, Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, Reuters reports.
IPS Examines Legislative Measures To Fight HIV/AIDS
Inter Press Service examines several civil society organizations’ argument that legislative measures aimed at fighting HIV/AIDS, “hurt more” than they “help.”
Lancet Examines Leishmaniasis In East Africa
A Lancet world report examines the growing threat of visceral leishmaniasis on populations in eastern Africa.
CNN Examines Efforts To Prevent Nursing Shortages In Malawi
CNN examines Malawi’s efforts to address its shortage of nurses.
U.S. Decision On Use Of Adjuvants Could Reduce World Supply Of H1N1 Vaccine, Says Lancet Editorial
“A U.S. plan to rely on swine flu vaccines without ingredients to stretch the supply [known as adjuvants] would reduce the number of available shots just when other countries need them most, the British journal Lancet said in an editorial,” Bloomberg writes.
U.N. Program Has Little Effect In Reducing Deaths Among Children In Bangladesh, Study Finds
“The U.N. unveiled a multimillion dollar strategy a dozen years ago to save children worldwide, but a new [Lancet] study has found the program had surprisingly little effect in Bangladesh, one of the world’s poorest countries,” the Associated Press reports.
