Latest KFF Health News Stories
Top Official Calls For Quicker, Improved Response To Military Mental Health Needs
A top military official expresses frustration at the government’s handling of mental health problems in troops and veterans.
Federal Officials Say Louisiana Owes $362 Million For Overpayments To Public Hospitals
The federal government says Louisiana public hospitals were overpaid by hundreds of millions of dollars in the mid-1990s.
In Massachusetts, Fears About Public Health Vaccination Proposal
In a state public health proposal, “a 16-month-old activist coalition sees government authority run amok: mandated vaccinations, quarantines, arrests, fines.”
At Hearing, Kucinich Bashes Insurance Companies
An afternoon hearing today seeks to better understand how private health insurance works.
Savings From Tort Reform Less Than Advocates Claim
Doctors say the suits send health-care costs soaring, but studies show reforms would have little effect, according to BusinessWeek.
Medicare To Create Pilot Program For Medical Home Model
Medicare will create a pilot program for a “medical home” model.
First Edition: September 17, 2009
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus’ sweeping health overhaul has yet to garner Republican support.
Senate Finance Version Of Health Legislation Unveiled
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus unveiled his committee’s health care bill, which has no public option and requires most people to have health insurance coverage. Business groups largely favor the bill while some Republicans and Democrats express concern.
News Outlets Examine West Africa Floods
The torrential rains that began in June in West Africa and subsequent floods have forced an estimated 150,000 people from their homes and claimed the lives of 160, VOA News reports. The worst affected countries include Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Niger and Sierra Leone.
FDA Approves H1N1 Vaccines, Paving Way For Large-Scale U.S. Vaccination Campaign
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced Tuesday during a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing that H1N1 (swine flu) vaccines produced by four manufacturers — CSL Ltd., Novartis, Sanofi-Pasteur and Medimmune — had won FDA approval, paving the way for a U.S. large-scale vaccination campaign, the Wall Street Journal reports. The application for GlaxoSmithKline PLC’s vaccine is still being considered.
South Africa’s shortage of health professionals combined with a budget shortfall of over $130 million for the government’s HIV programs could keep the country from reaching its goal of providing 80 percent of the people living with HIV/AIDS in need of treatment with antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) by 2011, South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said on Tuesday, Reuters reports.
Obama’s job approval rating and favorability remain high in the new survey, but many people express concerns about how the growing federal deficit. In addition, a majority of respondents share the president’s health reform goals but still express unease with the full plan.
Financial Times Articles Examine Global Health Issues
The Financial Times’ health section published several global health reports that “focus on the diseases and healthcare issues that affect millions but are often absent from the health debate in rich countries.”
FDA Approves H1N1 Vaccine, Paves Way For Large-Scale U.S. Vaccination Campaign
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced Tuesday that H1N1 vaccines from four companies have been approved by the FDA and that it will be available to everyone who wants it.
Doctor Shortage And Malpractice Insurance Pose Challenges To Reform
Some fear that health reform could overwhelm physicians, especially given the shortage of
primary care doctors. One doctor in private practice, who moonlights at a local hospital’s emergency room to help pay his malpractice premiums, sees tort reform as key to keeping costs down.
Health Reform Bill May Limit Tax-Free Flexible Spending Accounts
“Employees who enjoy unlimited tax-free treatment of out-of-pocket?medical?expenses through employee-benefit plans could be facing new curbs on the tax?subsidy in health-care overhaul legislation,” according to Dow Jones Newswire.
Some Dems Push Back On Obama’s Proposed Ban On Illegal Immigrants Buying Insurance
Questions abound about immigration and health care reform as the two issues become increasingly linked.
Survey: Average Cost Of Employer Health Plan Up 5%
The average cost of an employer-provided family plan is now $13,375, up 5 percent from 2008, according to a new report.
State News Round-up: States Trim Budgets, Experiment With Reform Ideas
The Commonwealth Connector, Healthy San Francisco, and Florida Health Choices all represent different ideas to deal with their local health care issues, as well as different degrees of success. Meanwhile, Texas and Vermont providers are staring down cuts.
