Latest KFF Health News Stories
New U.S. Agricultural Research Institute Launched; Global Food Aid Examined
The Obama administration recently launched the National Institute of Food (NIFA), “a new agricultural research institute … but farm lobbyists and others warned that its success depends on whether Congress agrees to substantially increase funding for farm research,” Government Executive reports. Slumping agricultural research led Congress to create the institute “in the 2008 farm bill in hopes of giving a farm agency the same stature as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation,” the publication writes.
Benefits Of Health Overhaul Won’t Be Immediate
Mechanisms to make health insurance more affordable for families and low- and middle-income households won’t start until 2013 if health care reform passes.
Lawmakers’ Support For Health Reform Not Necessarily Based On Constituent Needs, Study Finds
The Los Angeles Times reports on a paradox: some lawmakers, whose constituents stand to benefit most from health reform, are the ones opposing the bill while some whose constituents will likely pay more are the biggest supporters.
Senate Finance Members Weigh Their Health Bill Votes
Senate Finance Committee members are weighing the consequences of their votes and counting who’s with them.
Some Scientists Question Results Of Recent HIV Vaccine Clinical Trial
Weeks after clinical trial results showed an experimental HIV vaccine offered some potential protection against the virus, “a second analysis of the $105 million study, not disclosed publicly, suggests the results may have been a fluke,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
Today’s Selection Of OpEds: Cutting Health Costs
Today’s selection of opinions and editorials.
States Experiment With Reform, But Gaps Suggest Some National Changes Needed
Vermont scores high marks for a new experiment in coordinating care, as well as the overall quality of its health system. The gap between Vermont and lower performing states, however suggests to some that states may struggle to reform health care on their own. Other reports consider states that have made independent efforts.
DNC Pulls Health Reform Ad After Dole Complains
After a group of Republicans voiced support for health reform last week, the Democratic National Committee produced an ad featuring those comments
Obama Highlights GOP Reform Supporters; Capitol Hill Battle Grinds On
President Barack Obama praised health reform efforts in Congress in his weekly address Saturday, highlighting support from Republicans, a scheduled vote in the Senate Finance Committee and a Congressional Budget Office report that found the Finance bill would not add to the deficit.
Female Lawmakers Shape Health Care With Their Own Stories
Women lawmakers, such as Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy, are trying to shape the health care overhaul by using the examples of their own medical histories.
Even With Early Shortages, Public Opinion Is Conflicted About Getting The Swine Flu Vaccine
Health official downplays risks from swine flu vaccine while the demand for the vaccine causes some shortages.
Insurers Change Course, Attack Health Care Reform, Predict Huge Premium Increases
Insurers who supported Democratic attempts to reform the health care system are now attacking the Senate Finance Committee bill, saying it would cause premiums to increase.
Young ‘Invincibles,’ Small Businesses Worry About Proposed Mandates
Newspapers report on how young adults and small businesses might be affected by the mandates proposed in the health care bills pending in Congress.
Congressional — And Political — Agenda Tied To Outcome Of Health Care Reform
The fate of the health care reform package will determine the congressional and political agendas. If it passes, questions abound over implementation. But if it fails, the political consequences could be heavy.
States Struggle With Medicaid Issues
Various newspapers examine Medicaid issues including the coverage needs of kids in Michigan, financial worries for Medicaid programs in California and New Hampshire and concerns that Medicaid pay may be cut again when stimulus money runs out.
Employers Offering More High-Deductible Plans This Enrollment Season
When open enrollment rolls around again this year, workers may be faced with more health insurance choices: “more employers may include a new type of plan that can chop premium payments by nearly 20 percent and give consumers a tax break.”
‘Modern’ Patients Help Drive Up Health Care Costs
The modern patients
Physician Shortage Worries Rural Communities But Gets Little Attention In Health Bills
Many rural hospitals are against the ropes financially, leaving their administrators and patients wary of health bills that could cut Medicare payments. Access to physicians in those and other communities is already limited – with the United States facing a shortage of as many as 40,000 family doctors in the next decade.
