Latest KFF Health News Stories
FDA Approves H1N1 Vaccines, Paving Way For Large-Scale U.S. Vaccination Campaign
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced Tuesday during a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing that H1N1 (swine flu) vaccines produced by four manufacturers — CSL Ltd., Novartis, Sanofi-Pasteur and Medimmune — had won FDA approval, paving the way for a U.S. large-scale vaccination campaign, the Wall Street Journal reports. The application for GlaxoSmithKline PLC’s vaccine is still being considered.
South Africa’s shortage of health professionals combined with a budget shortfall of over $130 million for the government’s HIV programs could keep the country from reaching its goal of providing 80 percent of the people living with HIV/AIDS in need of treatment with antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) by 2011, South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said on Tuesday, Reuters reports.
Obama’s job approval rating and favorability remain high in the new survey, but many people express concerns about how the growing federal deficit. In addition, a majority of respondents share the president’s health reform goals but still express unease with the full plan.
Financial Times Articles Examine Global Health Issues
The Financial Times’ health section published several global health reports that “focus on the diseases and healthcare issues that affect millions but are often absent from the health debate in rich countries.”
FDA Approves H1N1 Vaccine, Paves Way For Large-Scale U.S. Vaccination Campaign
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced Tuesday that H1N1 vaccines from four companies have been approved by the FDA and that it will be available to everyone who wants it.
Doctor Shortage And Malpractice Insurance Pose Challenges To Reform
Some fear that health reform could overwhelm physicians, especially given the shortage of
primary care doctors. One doctor in private practice, who moonlights at a local hospital’s emergency room to help pay his malpractice premiums, sees tort reform as key to keeping costs down.
Health Reform Bill May Limit Tax-Free Flexible Spending Accounts
“Employees who enjoy unlimited tax-free treatment of out-of-pocket?medical?expenses through employee-benefit plans could be facing new curbs on the tax?subsidy in health-care overhaul legislation,” according to Dow Jones Newswire.
Some Dems Push Back On Obama’s Proposed Ban On Illegal Immigrants Buying Insurance
Questions abound about immigration and health care reform as the two issues become increasingly linked.
Survey: Average Cost Of Employer Health Plan Up 5%
The average cost of an employer-provided family plan is now $13,375, up 5 percent from 2008, according to a new report.
State News Round-up: States Trim Budgets, Experiment With Reform Ideas
The Commonwealth Connector, Healthy San Francisco, and Florida Health Choices all represent different ideas to deal with their local health care issues, as well as different degrees of success. Meanwhile, Texas and Vermont providers are staring down cuts.
Lawmakers May Wage Jurisdiction Fight Over Medical Malpractice Reform
The Senate Finance Committee could clash with the Senate Judiciary Committee over jurisdiction if Finance negotiators try to scale back medical malpractice lawsuits in health reform.
Congressmen Eye Caremark, CVS For Inquiry
Eight Congressmen have asked the Federal Trade Commission to revist a controversial merger between a leading pharmacy chain and pharmacy-benefits manager.
Insurers Say Seniors In Medicare Advantage Spend Less Time In Hospital
A study by the industry group America’s Health Insurance Plans finds that seniors enrolled in the private Medicare Advantage plans spent less time in the hospital and had to be readmitted fewer times than others in traditional Medicare.
How-To Guides: Help An Elderly Parent, Find Your Own Insurance
Media guides on how to care for an elderly parent without going broke and how to find your own health insurance before becoming eligible for Medicare.
Today’s Selection Of Opinions And Editorials.
Opinions and editorials from news outlets around the country.
Key Democrat Says He Won’t Support Finance Bill ‘In Its Present Form’
Sen. John Rockefeller, the Senate Finance Committee No. 2 Democrat said Tuesday that he will not support Sen. Max Baucus’ health reform bill.
Republicans Strategy: Instead Of Attack, Call For Incremental Reforms
Republicans are planning to counter Democratic health reform proposals with a call for an incremental approach.
Will Health Reform Squeeze The Middle Class?
Liberal Democrats worry that the health care overhaul proposed by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., will force lower and middle income families because they would required to buy insurance but would not get enough federal tax subsidies to help make it affordable.
Baucus Bill Garners No Republican Support
Today’s headlines on Sen. Max Baucus’ health care reform bill reveal that it will have no Republican support – and many question marks – when it’s revealed today.
