Latest KFF Health News Stories
Nebraska Health Officials Promote Weeklong HIV Testing, Awareness Effort
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services on Saturday began promoting HIV Testing Week, which runs through July 4, to encourage more residents to get tested.
The Los Angeles Times examines several stories of patients too poor to pay their hospital bills in Kenya that were held in a “makeshift patients’ prison,” until they escape or settle their debt.
New York Times Examines One American’s Efforts To Help Pakistanis With Health Care
The New York Times profiles the Comprehensive Disaster Relief Services (CDRS) hospital in Chikar, Pakistan, which was started by American Todd Shea after the 2005 earthquake in that country.
U.S.-Backed Program Trains Iraqi Women To Be Nursing Aids
Fox News examines a U.S.-supported program in Iraq that is equipping women with the skills they need to become nursing aids.
U.S. Vaccine Advisory Committee Considers Response To H1N1 Spread
The CDC convened a national vaccine advisory committee Friday to discuss the best response to the spread of H1N1 (swine flu) with an estimated 6,000 new cases in the U.S. last week alone, Reuters reports.
Studies Examine Cigarette Smuggling In Poor Countries, Deaths Due to Alcohol Abuse in Russia
A new report finds that “a growing global trade in black market cigarettes is killing tens of thousands of people a year, causing massive health problems and costing governments billions of pounds,” the Guardian reports.
White House Remains Open To Taxing Health Benefits, Obama Plans Town Hall Meeting
The White House remains open to taxing some health benefits to help pay for health care reform despite campaigning against the move last year, The Washington Post reports.
Reform Questions Continue To Loom
A bipartisan deal on health reform is far from certain as Senators drive the price tag down, but lack both Republican support and support from some of the more tepid members of their own party, Reuters reports.
Sometimes Insurance No Match For Health Costs
Americans with serious illnesses who must often choose between paying a mortgage or their health premiums and deductibles are often going broke, The Seattle Times reports.
Small Businesses Wary Of Health Care Legislation
“Rising costs and a weak economy” are leaving small business employees “with higher out-of-pocket health costs,” USA Today reports.
Stimulus Money Working For Homeless Teenagers’ Health In Colorado
Some homeless teenagers in Colorado are getting dental work done for free as part of the economic stimulus that has expanded service to more poor and uninsured, The Associated Press reports.
Today’s Selection Of Opinions And Editorials
Today’s Selection Of Opinions and Editorials
A Painless Way To Hold Down Health Costs?
NPR reports on a way to reduce national health care costs: “getting doctors and hospitals in the parts of the country that spend the most on medical care now to bring that spending more in line with that of lower-spending regions.”
In South Florida, Risk Of Unemployment Would Accompany Health Reform Benefits
The Miami Herald reports that healthcare reform could acutely affect South Florida and provide both benefits and risks.
Democrats Are Increasingly Confident About Reform
Despite costs and public skepticism, Democrats are increasingly confident that they’ll enact a vast health care overhaul.
Long-Term Care Program Would Provide Revenue – At First
A long-term care program could provide significant revenue in the short range. Congressional Quarterly reports.
Health Care Ads Leave Washington, Follow Lawmakers Home During Break
Roll Call reports that “several major industry stakeholders” will be “noticeably absent from the advertising airwaves over the July Fourth recess.
Major Medical Groups Back Comp Effectiveness Legislation
“Major medical organizations are urging health committees in the House and Senate to make comparative-effectiveness research a key component of healthcare reform,” Modern Health Care reports.
