Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s Opinions and Editorials
Kaiser Health News presents a selection of opinions and editorials.
Medical Equipment Prices Highlight Some Of Medicare’s Difficulties
Prices paid for medical equipment show Medicare inefficiencies and foreshadow difficulties in reforming the system.
Reform Questions, Myths, Comparisons Unwound
With the possibility of a major health care overhaul looming on the horizon, commentators, analysts and advocates have been seeking out points of comparison.
Former Health Insurance Spokesman Criticizes Industry Practices
A former health insurance spokesman speaks out against insurance practices, The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones reports.
Patients And Health Care Providers Seek Improved Quality As Report Shows Extensive Errors
New laws and reports seek improvements in health care quality as more information emerges about the widespread nature of medical errors.
State News: Overrides, Cuts And Fraud
The Connecticut legislature used its override in both chambers to undo seven Governor vetoes, including one to cover most Connecticut residents, called SustiNet, The Hartford Courant reports.
Firm Looks For Health Start-Ups That Save Money
A venture capital firm in Kentucky searches out health care start-ups that save money and bets they will get a greater share of health dollars once reform takes shape.
Debate Surrounds The Merits Of Comparative Effectiveness Research
Comparative effectiveness research appears to be taking a central role in reform as many debate whether this research is helpful or harmful to health care.
Medicaid Expansion: Health Care Reform’s Newest Challenge
“Until the nation’s governors staged a public revolt last weekend, few people were paying attention to one of the most far-reaching proposals being considered as part of overhauling the health care system: a dramatic expansion and redefinition of the Medicaid program,” Time reports.
Emboldened by polls indicating rising public anxiety about President Obama’s handling of health-care and the economy, Republicans are launching an effort to link health care proposals to what they say is a failed economic stimulus bill.
Ad Wars Over Health Care Overhaul Heat Up
“The ad wars over the health care campaign are heating up once against this week,” The New York Times reports.
Some Medical Providers Slow To Adopt Electronic Records, Prescribing
“Digital medical records could cut down on office visits,” and maybe even health care costs, Marketplace reports. But complications and cost can get in the way.
Today’s early-morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Obama Continues Pressing Health Reform, But Softens On The Deadline
President Barack Obama called out critics of his push for health reform Monday and said it is time to fight the “politics of the moment” to pass health reform, The Associated Press reports.
South Africa Launches HIV/AIDS Vaccine Trial
“The first clinical trial of an HIV/AIDS vaccine designed and developed in South Africa was launched in Cape Town” Monday, the SAPA/The Times reports. The trial will seek to determine the immune response of HIV-negative people to two experimental vaccines
Clinton Says U.S. Will Work With India To Address Health Challenges, Hunger
The U.S. will work to address the health challenges facing India among other countries and will aim to improve maternal and child health care services through comprehensive dialogue, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday after visiting a Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) trade outlet in Mumbai, India, PTI/Yahoo! News reports.
South Africa Launches HIV/AIDS Vaccine Trial
“The first clinical trial of an HIV/AIDS vaccine designed and developed in South Africa was launched in Cape Town” Monday, the SAPA/The Times reports.
