Latest KFF Health News Stories
Industry Brings Promises To White House, Lobbyists To Capitol
Beginning in May, major health care industry groups have pledged to cut hundred of billions of dollars from the nation’s health care spending, such as $155 billion deal between the White House and hospitals. But at Capitol Hill, the same industry groups have spent millions on lobbying.
Finance Committee May Omit Public Plan, Employer Mandate
The AP is quoting sources saying that “a bipartisan group in the Senate is edging closer to a health care compromise that omits a government insurance option.” Meanwhile, a CBO analysis says that the government option could coexist with private insurers.
AMA Backs Health Reform Plan, But Not All Doctors Are On Board
Even as Democratic leaders in Congress and President Obama tout the American Medical Association’s support for the House health care overhaul proposal, eleven other medical societies are vocally rejecting the plan.
Reform Could Hinge On The Insured, Who Support Reform But Fear Change
“Although polls have consistently shown that just over half of Americans think the health-care system is in need of reform, a substantial majority say they are satisfied with their own insurance and care,” the Washington Post reports.
Washington, D.C., Church Addresses HIV Stigma, Teaches Safe Sex To Black, Gay Congregation
The Washington Post on Sunday featured Washington D.C.,-based Inner Light Ministries, a 16-year-old black community church with about 100 members, where many go “to share their experience of being black and gay, living and loving in a city where HIV and AIDS lurk in epidemic proportions.
Oakland, Calif., Conference Targets Black Women For HIV/AIDS Awareness, Prevention
The Oakland, Calif., chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women on Saturday held a daylong conference, “Sistahs Getting Real About HIV/AIDS,” that addressed HIV/AIDS among black women, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Report Looks At HIV Prevalence Among Chicago Gay Men
In Chicago, 17.4 percent of gay men are estimated to be HIV-positive, compared with 1.2 percent of the general male population, according to a new report by the Chicago Public Health Department, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
House Passes Spending Bill; Amendment To Block Removal Of Needle Exchange Funding Ban Defeated
The House on Friday passed a $730.5 billion bill (HR 3293) “to fund health, education and labor programs in fiscal 2010 after narrowly defeating an attempt to strip language that would lift the ban on federal needle exchange programs,” in the U.S., CQ Today reports (Wolfe, 7/24).
H1N1 Could Infect Up To 2B People Within Next Two Years, WHO Says
The WHO on Friday said the “H1N1 swine-flu virus could infect up to two billion people over the next two years – about one of every three people in the world,” VOA News reports.
Donors To Reevaluate Support For Myanmar’s Fight Against HIV/AIDS
The AP/KTVZ.com examines how despite years of strained relationships between the “military-run nation” of Myanmar and international donors that led to a large reduction in HIV/AIDS funding, donors are considering reinvesting in the country’s HIV/AIDS programs.
Democrats To Push Unscored Benefits To Counter Latest CBO Analysis
Democrats are planning to push the point this week that health care reform, with a price tag of up to $1.6 trillion, has benefits and cost savings that aren’t scored by the Congressional Budget Office, The Hill reports.
Subsidies To Cover Uninsured Critical To Health Overhaul
Covering the uninsured – a leading principle of health care reform – depends on the critical issue of who gets subsidies to pay for health insurance coverage and when.
Obama Health Reform Proposals And Alliances Scrutinized
Various news outlets examined the state of the administration’s health reform push.
House Members Continue Bickering Over Reform
Hope is fading in the House on voting on before the August recess as Democrats disagree on the details, while Speaker Pelosi vows passage of an overhaul bill.
Senate Dems Seek Compromise On Contentious Health Reform Issues
A leading Democratic senator, Kent Conrad, said Sunday Democrats would need Republican support to make ambitious proposals to overhaul the health system a reality.
Today’s Selection Of Opinions and Editorials
Today’s Selection Of Opinions and Editorials
As They Debate Health Overhaul, Politicians Keep Eye On 2010
“Fifteen months before the midterm congressional election, health care is appearing in candidate stump speeches and interviews – particularly by Republican challengers
Health Care Legislation’s Hurdles And Potential Impacts
Several news organizations have published lists to explain health care reform legislation.
Health Lobbying Means Cash Infusion For Candidates, TV Stations
“Health care groups working feverishly to shape — or kill — an industry-wide reform bill are lavishing campaign cash on the politicians at the center of the debate,” the Salt Lake Tribune reports.
