Latest KFF Health News Stories
Heads Of Indian Health Service, Hispanic Doctors Speak Out On Reform
NPR asks the president of the National Hispanic Medical Association and the director of the Indian Health Service about their views on health reform.
Profile Of Grady Memorial Hospital Highlights The Difficulties Faced By Safety Net Facilities
Illegal immigrants say an effort to close Grady Memorial’s dialysis center could end their only source of care. The closure may foreshadow broader problems “safety-net” hospitals could face under the health care overhaul.
Biden Emerges As Health Care Messenger
The vice president has emerged as a key administration health care messenger following a talk with seniors in Maryland on Wednesday.
Democrats Woo AARP, Seniors To Support Health Reform Bills
Seniors are a key constituency for Democrats, who are courting the AARP
Health Reform Ads Confusing Public, News Outlets Try To Dispel The Fog
Advertising is muddying up the health care debate as the dueling sides and media try to sort out what’s true and what’s not.
First Edition: September 24, 2009
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Obama Addresses U.N. General Assembly, Calls For ‘New Era Of Engagement’
In his first U.N. General Assembly address, President Obama on Wednesday “called for ‘a new era of engagement’ … with the world, pledging to work together with other countries while defending the interests of the United States,” Reuters reports (9/23). The Associated Press reports that Obama “believes there are four pillars necessary to ensure that future – nuclear disarmament, the promotion of peace and security, preservation of the planet, and a global economy that offers opportunity for all people. Obama says those pillars must be ‘the guiding principle of international cooperation'” (9/23).
During the G20 summit opening Thursday in Pittsburgh, President Obama will propose countries around the world phase out government subsidies that promote the production and use of fossil fuels “that spew carbon dioxide, the chief greenhouse gas,” the Associated Press reports (Borenstein, 9/23). “The plan is part of efforts to combat climate change, enhance energy security, improve public health and the environment, promote faster economic growth and support more effective targeting of government resources for the poor, [White House] officials said,” AP reports in a second story.
Agriculture Summit Addresses Doubling Global Food Output By 2050
On Tuesday in Washington, D.C., U.S. agriculture companies Deere & Co., Archer Daniels Midland Co., DuPont Co. and Monsanto Co. met with lawmakers, hunger experts and other officials at a Global Harvest Initiative symposium to address “sustainable” food production, Reuters reports. The Global Harvest Inititiative was founded to achieve “the goal of doubling agricultural output by 2050 to meet rising world demand,” according to the news service.
Global Effort Needed To Protect People From Species-Crossing Diseases, Report Finds
A team of health experts on Tuesday called for the U.S. “to lead a global effort to protect people from new outbreaks of deadly infectious diseases that originate in animals, such as swine flu, AIDS and SARS,” Reuters writes.
Clinton, Obama Open CGI; Safe Water, Opportunities For African Women Commitments Announced
During opening remarks of the Clinton Global Initiative’s annual meeting in New York, former President Bill Clinton said, “[W]e have more attending this meeting than ever before,” Dow Jones/Wall Street Journal reports. “Despite record attendance and commitments made, Clinton addressed the reduction in global wealth upfront, urging leaders who have not yet identified which causes to support to instead support multi-year pledges already under way that have been restructured due to lack of funding,” according to the news service. After Clinton, President Barack Obama addressed the summit, “[f]ollowing” a theme that encouraged meeting participants to take action (Banjo, 9/22).
Analyzing The Baucus Bill: Individual Mandate, Tax Provisions
One of the biggest points of contention in Senate Finance Committee’s consideration of Max Baucus’ health bill is the “individual mandate” requirement.
Senators Take To Trenches For Finance Committee Health Bill Mark Up
Battle lines on health care reform are being drawn over issues of costs, the role of insurers and what may happen to Medicare in the Senate Finance Committee.
Republicans Criticize Democrat’s Direction, Finance Committee Timing
Democrats and Republicans are exchanging attacks on the health reform bill in the Senate Finance Committee during the panel’s health bill mark up.
States Extend, Create New Programs For Vulnerable; In Texas, Home Health A Problem
States are providing prescription drug help and routine medical care to low-income people. In California, the governor has broken a veto threat to make sure poort children keep their insurance. But, in Texas, home health agencies are exposed as a money pit for Medicare dollars.
Marchers, Celebrities Sound Off On Health Care Reform
As health reform legislation comes closer to becoming reality, marchers and celebrities are also sounding off on proposals.
Pelosi, House Dems Finding Compromise On Health Bills Difficult
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s plan to include a public option in the final House health care legislation could inflame moderates.
Some Imaging Centers, Drug Makers May Be Driving Up Costs
Some doctors may be helping the imaging and drug industries drive up costs by encouraging more costly care, such as unnecessary imaging procedures and prescribing brand-name drugs when generics would do.
