Latest KFF Health News Stories
Two New Studies From A Federal Agency Point To Risks, Costs In Health Care
AHRQ’s studies address the consequences of leaving the hospital against the doctor’s orders, while the other notes that inflation-adjusted health spending on seniors rose by over $100 billion between 1996 and 2006.
“Africa is mismanaging its water resources,” according to scientists who are in Kenya at the Sustainable Water Conference, which is organized by the Pan Africa Chemistry Network, VOA News reports.
Insurance Workers: We’re Not ‘Villains’
Politicians have targeted the insurance industry in their pitch to overhaul health care, in some cases going as far as to call insurers “villains” and “immoral” as House speaker Nancy Pelosi did. Industry employees tell the New York Times how they feel about it.
Software Seeks To Help Customers Decipher Health Benefits
Online tool could help patients understand medical billing.
Today’s Opinions And Editorials
Kaiser Health News presents a selection of Friday’s opinions and editorials from around the United States.
Medtronic Defends Payments To Physicians
CEO tells shareholders that bulk of the money paid to doctors is for royalties on their inventions.
Replacing Kennedy Tall Task For Reform-Minded Democrats
Some conservatives are accusing Democrats of politicizing Ted Kennedy’s death to pass health legislation as the Dems call for a quick special appointment to fill the his Senate.
President’s Approval Rating Drops To 50 Percent, GOP Poll Says Reform Less Popular Than In 1994
President Obama’s approval ratings dropped to 50 percent in a Gallup Poll released Thursday, his lowest rate so far, while a GOP poll suggests Obama’s push for reform faces more public opposition than Clinton’s did in 1994.
Small Business Groups Worry About Reform
Small businesses, already reeling from the costs of providing insurance to employees, raise concerns about health overhaul.
Research Round-Up: Highlights From Recent Releases
Recent research includes an examination of Texas insurance regulation as well as a state-by-state anlysis of the impact of Medicare cuts to nursing homes and a study of hospital survival rates for minority patients.
Physician Payment Plan Stirs Concern Over Reform Efforts
Cardiologists and cancer specialists object to proposed cuts in payments while one commentator finds primary physician shortage a central issue in the health care overhaul.
Iowa Hospital Uses Innovative Design To Reduce Error
Officials met with staff and visited facilities around the country to plan a hospital focusing on “evidence-based design.”
First Edition: August 28, 2009
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
HHS Secretary Sebelius Asks ‘What Would Teddy Do?’ On Reform
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius asked Thursday “What would Teddy Do?” on health care reform in the latest push to invoke Kennedy’s name on health reforms, ABC News reports.
Medicaid Fraud Surfaces In New York And Pennsylvania
Medicaid fraud surfaces in New York and Pennsylvania.
Pelosi Appeals For $100,000 To Counter GOP ‘Smears’ On Health Overhaul Efforts
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is appealing to supporters to help counter criticisms of Democratic-backed health reform proposals.
Stark: Blue Dog Dems ‘Just Want To Cause Trouble’
Ways and Means Subcommittee Chair criticizes Blue Dog Dems for their health reform positions.
Lawsuit Prompts U.S. State Department To Strengthen Protections Of HIV-Positive Contract Workers
“The U.S. State Department
Kennedy’s Contributions To HIV/AIDS, Gay Rights Policies Recalled
Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) is being remembered as “the most powerful voice in the Senate for gay rights, as a strong supporter of HIV/AIDS funding, hate crimes legislation and same-sex marriage,” the Associated Press reports.
Kenneth Cole, Bloomingdale’s, amFAR Partner For National HIV/AIDS Awareness Effort
National retail chain Bloomingdale’s is partnering for the seventh year with the AIDS research organization amFAR, in conjunction with fashion designer Kenneth Cole, for a series of AIDS awareness events that are set to begin today in communities across the nation, the Washington Times reports.
