Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study In Asia Finds Monkey Malaria Strain More Widespread In Humans Than Previously Thought
“Researchers in Malaysia have confirmed that a form of malaria thought to primarily affect monkeys can infect and kill humans, according to a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases journal,” Agence France-Presse reports.
For Young Adults, Health Care Not Political Priority
For most young Americans, health care reform is not a political priority.
Harkin Moves To Health Committee Chair After Dodd Opts Against It
Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., passes up Ted Kennedy’s former chairmanship position but remains active in health care while Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, takes over the position.
Electronic Health Records: A Focus For Big Tech Companies
Major tech companies, including General Electric, I.B.M. and Verizon, are pursuing technology for digitized medical records.
Retail Clinics Offer More Treatments For Chronic Diseases
Retail health clinics are reevaluating their offerings.
Baucus Readies Reform Move, With Or Without Republicans
Sen. Max Baucus said Wednesday he will move a health care reform bill to the full Senate with or without the support of Republicans negotiating their position on his Senate Finance Committee.
Comparative Effectiveness May Not Produce Hoped-For Savings, Study Finds
One component of Democrats’ health reform plan, comparative effectiveness research, would seek to improve quality and lower medical costs by identifying the most clinically and cost-effective treatments available, but a new study by Rand Corp. finds the impact of the research may be slow to arrive.
First Edition: September 10, 2009
News coverage today focused on President Obama’s address to Congress.
Obama To Congress And The Nation: ‘I Will Not Accept The Status Quo’
President Obama laid out his $900 billion health overhaul proposal in an forceful and sometimes emotional speech to Congress tonight, saying that he supports an individual mandate, insurance reforms and said reform would not add to the deficit.
Harkin To Take The Helm Of Senate Health Committee
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, will assume the health committee chairmanship left vacant by the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.
Baucus: Committee Will Move Ahead With Bill Regardless Of Republican Support
The Senate Finance Committee Chair said he plans to begin marking up health overhaul legislation the week of Sept. 21.
Newspapers Examine Drought, Famine In East Africa
According to Canada’s National Post, a humanitarian coalition “warns East Africa faces ‘a perfect storm of crop failures, a multi-year lack of rain, conflicts and political turmoil,’ which now threatens 20 million people with severe hunger.”
American Medical News Examines Clinical Trials Outsourcing
American Medical News examines the ethical considerations of outsourcing pharmaceutical clinical trials to developing countries. The article highlights how it is less expensive for a drug company to conduct a trial in India, where it runs about $2,000 to track a patient through a trial, compared to the cost in the U.S., which is “10 times more.” The disparities between participants in the two countries in terms of income, education and access to care are “stark” and the playing field “uneven,” writes American Medical News.
Dodd Rejects HELP Chairmanship, Skeptical Dems Sound Off On Reform
Democrats remain skeptical of much of health care reform while Sen. Christopher Dodd will not chair the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
Obama’s Big Speech: Advice And History
Major players from the Clinton debate offer advice for Obama.
In Congressional Speech, Obama Reaches For Game-Changer
President Obama is preparing to address Congress and the nation in a major health care speech tonight.
Baucus Aims For Health Agreement In Advance Of Obama Speech Tonight
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus continues to try to get key Republicans on board with his new proposal, and is aiming for agreement before Obama’s address to Congress on the issue Wednesday night.
Democratic Leaders Say Reform Bill Is Progressing
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi talked about the public option for reform and a Senate version of reform after a meeting with President Obama Tuesday.
Federal Judge Finds New York State Discriminated Against Mentally Ill
A federal judge rules that New York was violating the Americans With Disability Act by housing thousands of mentally disabled adults in homes where they had little hope of mingling with anyone in the community.
