Latest KFF Health News Stories
Blacks With Equal Care Still More Likely To Die Of Some Cancers
“African Americans are less likely than whites to survive breast, prostate and ovarian cancer even when they receive equal treatment, according to a large study that offers provocative evidence that biological factors play a role in at least some racial disparities,” the Washington Post reports.
Thirteen Single-Payer Activists Settle Their Cases After Disrupting Hearing
Thirteen people charged with “disruption of Congress” for standing and shouting pro-single-payer system slogans during a health care reform committee hearing settled their cases, The Great Falls (Mont.) Tribune reports.
Providers And Medicare Battle: Who Owns Home Oxygen Equipment?
A Medicare rule limiting payments for oxygen providers to 36 months, but requiring two additional years of service without the same payments, has prompted an aggressive lobbying campaign by the industry, and unintended consequences for patients.
Abortion Could Prove Divisive For Health Reform, Too
An ultimatum against using federal money for abortion could reopen the politically treacherous rift over the issue, creating yet another obstacle for congressional Democrats to overcome if they are to achieve their health reform goals.
Federal Appeals Court Rejects Lawsuit Against Abbott Over HIV/AIDS Drug Price Hike
A federal appeals court on Tuesday rejected a lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories accusing the company “of antitrust violations over a sudden 400-percent price hike of a popular AIDS drug,” the AP/ El Paso Times reports (7/7).
A Selection Of Opinions And Editorials
Today’s selection of opinions and editorials
Health Reformers Shy From Proposals That Would Limit Treatment Options
“Although Obama and his advisers have held up providers’ spending patterns as the crux of the crisis, proposals in Washington go only so far in addressing the thorniest questions about who gets what care,” the Washington Post reports.
Social, Sexual Barriers Faced By Black Gay Men Could Influence HIV Risk, Prevalence, Study Says
“New research hints that the social and sexual networks of black gay men, constrained by the preferences and attitudes of non-black gay men, may explain the risk of more rapid spread of HIV
Costliest Medicare Markets In Florida, New York, California
Figures from the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice examine variations in cost, frequency, and outcomes for Medicare reimbursements and are at the center of the health care debate. They provide surprising and counterintuitive conclusions including that more medical expense often leads to poorer outcomes.
White House Reassures Drug CEOs: Reimportation Could Be ‘Unnecessary’
White House officials assure drug makers about longstanding issue of allowing reimportation of prescription drugs from other countries.
Senators Have Second Thoughts About Taxing Health Benefits
A Senate Democrat involved in health legislation negotiations said senators may be souring on a plan to tax employer-provided health benefits.
Obama Notes Progress, Reiterates Support For Public Insurance Plan
President Barack Obama on Tuesday welcomed progress on efforts to craft a health care overhaul as a top aide signalled flexibility in how a public option would work.
Obama Supports Long Term Care Benefit
President Barack Obama offered his support for efforts to create a new government program to provide long term care insurance as part of the broader health care overhaul.
U.S., Russia Sign Agreement To Cooperate On Health Goals
The White House announced on Monday that the U.S. and Russia have signed on to a “memo of understanding” to cooperate on several public health and medical science projects, ModernHealthcare.com reports.
Global HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs are already feeling the effects of the global economic crisis, according to a report released Monday by UNAIDS and the World Bank, AFP/Google.com reports.
Developing Countries Need $1B By End Of Year To Cope With H1N1, U.N. Says
Developing countries will need an estimated $1 billion by year’s end to ensure their access to antivirals and vaccines to protect against the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Monday, AFP/Google.com reports.
Developed Countries Must Address Global Warming To Prevent Disease, Hunger In Developing World
Pollution from the world’s wealthiest countries is spreading disease and hunger in developing countries, according to a new Oxfam International report, which calls on developed countries to address global warming when G8 leaders meet in Italy, the Globe and Mail reports.
G8 Summit Begins Wednesday; WFP Calls For ‘Twin-Track’ Approach To Food Security
The G8 summit is scheduled to open Wednesday in L’Aquila, Italy. The World Food Program (WFP) on Tuesday issued a statement praising the G8 leaders’ focus on food security and calling for support of its efforts to combat hunger among the world’s poorest people, Xinhua reports.
