Latest KFF Health News Stories
Baton Rouge, La.’s High AIDS Rate Examined
The Baton Rouge Advocate on Sunday examined reasons behind Baton Rouge, La.’s high AIDS rate.
New York Times Profiles Afghani Maternal Health Advocate
The New York Times profiles Pashtoon Azfar, the director of Afghanistan’s Institute of Health Sciences, who works for a nonprofit group from Johns Hopkins University that focuses on women and children’s health, and “also manages to serve as president of the Afghan Midwives Association.”
International Groups Express Concern About Cambodian ‘AIDS Colony’
In an open letter to Cambodia’s prime minister and health minister, more than 100 international HIV/AIDS advocates and human rights organizations “accused the Cambodian government of herding HIV-affected families into an ‘AIDS colony’ outside the capital, Phnom Penh,” the Guardian reports (McCurry, 7/28).
Uganda’s Health Ministry Orders Investigations Into Deaths Of Patients Living With HIV
Uganda’s Health Ministry announced Monday it has ordered investigations into whether the deaths of 17 patients living with HIV in Northern Uganda were caused by their inability to get antiretroviral drugs, the AP/mlive.com reports.
House Democrats Hope To Forge Deal On Package, Wait For Score
House Democrats, in hopes of gathering the votes necessary to move health legislation past the Energy and Commerce Committee, said they were close to a compromise with fiscally conservative Democrats.
Finance Committee Senators May Drop Employer Mandate, Public Plan
Senators in the Finance Committee are close to dropping a requirement that employers provide health insurance for employees as well as a government-run public insurance plan to forge a compromise, according to the AP.
Study Finds Obesity Responsible For Significant Portion Of Health Spending
A new report finds nearly 10 percent of health care costs are due to obesity and per capita medical spending is significantly higher for obese people.
Debate Surrounds End-Of-Life Care Provision In Reform
A provision in the House health care overhaul bill to provide Medicare coverage for end-of-life care consultation spurs debate.
Health Debate Finds New Leaders; Congress Misses Some Old Ones
The cast of characters spearheading the health care debate in Congress doesn’t contain all of the usual suspects.
Today’s Selection Of Opinions and Editorials
Today’s Selection Of Opinions and Editorials
Effort Launched To Strengthen African Medical Labs
The U.S., WHO and representatives from 13 African countries on Monday launched an effort to boost the standards for quality medical labs on the continent, VOA News reports.
Health Professionals Experience Difficulty Treating Patients With Dual Mental Health Diagnoses
The Washington Post tells the story of Danny Watt, who drowned in April 2008 after a lifelong struggle with mental health.
RNC Launches Ads Attacking Moderate Dems; PhRMA Considers Huge Campaign
Current ads sponsored by the Republican National Committee prod Democrats, while a very large planned campaign by drug makers could take flight soon.
Doctor and Nurse Shortages Plague U.S.
Evidence of the nation’s struggles with physician and nurse shortages continues to emerge.
Healthy Workers Could Get Bigger Insurance Breaks
A health care reform proposal that would allow employers and insurers to give large discounts to employees who lose weight or lower their cholesterol is facing push back from several groups worried about premium disparities, Kaiser Health News reports.
States Offer Critiques, Advice On Reform
Various states weigh in about health care reform with particular concerns about financial difficulties and models for reform.
Small Businesses, Doctors Oppose Some Health Overhaul Proposals
Small business and medical groups are debating the health care overhaul proposals that could change their business models.
Taxing Fatty Foods Or Health Insurers Gains Traction
Lawmakers are considering two new taxes to help pay for a health care overhaul: a tax on fatty foods and taxing insurers on so-called ‘Cadillac’ plans.
Policymakers Search For Ways To Anchor Ballooning Health Costs
In 1993, when President Clinton attempted to overhaul the health care system, America’s total health spending amounted to $912 billion and left 40 million uninsured. President Obama faces a worsening situation.
Jury Rules For Florida Hospital That Deported Brain-Damaged Immigrant Patient
In a benchmark case, a Florida jury decided Monday that Martin Memorial Medical Center did not act unreasonably when it chartered a plane and repatriated a brain-injured Guatemalan patient against his guardian’s will.
