Latest KFF Health News Stories
California Rulings: State Can Cut Medi-Cal Benefits But Not Home Care Wages
“A federal judge on Thursday blocked a $2 hourly wage cut for California in-home care workers that was slated to begin July 1, potentially increasing California’s budget deficit by another $98 million,” the Sacramento Bee reports.
Today’s Selection Of Opinions and Editorials
In today’s round robin of opinions and editorials, authors ponder the public plan and rationing.
Drug Companies Increasingly Use Medical Science Liaisons
The Wall Street Journal reports that drug companies are increasingly using medical science liaisons.
White House: Shield Biotech Drugs From Generics For Only Seven Years
The Food And Drug Administration said Thursday that biotech drugs should be protected from generics for seven years, Reuters reports.
Michigan Governor Says Her State Poster Child For State Insurance Pools After Talks With Obama
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Thursday that her state could be the example of how to provide a large insurance pool to cover the uninsured after talks with President Obama Wednesday, The Takeaway reports.
Baucus Signals Finance Committee Progress On Health Overhaul Bill
A group of key Senate negotiators found a way to further reduce the price tag on the health care reform bill, bringing it in line with a $1 trillion target and moving the Senate Finance Committee closer to a deal, Chairman Max Baucus said Thursday.
Massachusetts Officials Issue Directive That Seeks To Streamline HIV Testing Consent Process
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health yesterday issued a directive recommending that health care providers include written consent for HIV testing in the general permission forms given to patients receiving medical care.
Bronx Campaign Boosts HIV Testing; Fauci Issues Statement Regarding National Testing Day
A three-year initiative launched last year by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to test every adult in the Bronx for HIV has boosted testing by 28 percent, according to city health officials.
Florida Newspaper Examines Impact Of HIV/AIDS On Black Community
Polk County, Fla., health officials have made educating the black community a top priority in addressing HIV/AIDS in the state, where blacks are disproportionately affected by the virus.
Coalition Commits To Addressing HIV/AIDS In Three U.S. Cities
The Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced on Capitol Hill on Wednesday that it will help fight the spread if HIV in Washington D.C., New York City and Oakland, Calif., cities among the 20 areas in the U.S. with the highest rates of HIV and AIDS.
San Francisco Chronicle Profiles U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator
“Dr. Eric Goosby wasted no time starting his new job as the U.S. global AIDS coordinator. He flew from the Bay Area to Geneva hours after his confirmation by the Senate and was sworn in when he landed
New York Times Examines Program To Help Orphans Survive ‘Fragile Days Of Infancy’
The New York Times examines a program being offered at an orphanage in Tanzania that provides emotional and physical support for newborns and young children who are at a high risk of death after losing their mothers in infancy.
IFRC Issues Renewed Appeal For Resources To Help Food Insecure People In Horn Of Africa
The world is slowly losing the fight against hunger in the Horn of Africa, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), which renewed its call for emergency food supplies, water and recovery activities to help about 2.5 million food insecure people in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, Xinhua/CRIENGLISH.com reports.
H1N1 Confirmed In Three More African Countries; Cambodia, Indonesia Confirm First Cases
The H1N1 (swine flu) virus has reached the sub-Saharan African countries of Cape Verde, Ethiopia and Ivory Coast, according to the WHO, the AP/Boston Herald reports.
Countries Address Financial Crisis, Burden On Developing Nations At U.N. Financial Summit
At the opening of a three-day U.N. financial summit on Wednesday, developing countries joined U.N. officials in “calling for more money and a greater role in regulating the world economy in the wake of the worst global financial crisis since the Great Depression, which has taken a disproportionate toll on poor nations,” AP/Google.com reports.
Obama Reaches Out To Governors On Health Care
“A bipartisan group of governors told President Obama yesterday that they share his urgent desire to restructure the nation’s health-care system but warned that any changes should not place more burdens on strained state budgets or eliminate innovative programs they already have in place,” The Washington Post reports.
Obama Leaves Door Open To Tax On Health Benefits
In a town hall meeting broadcast on ABC, President Obama on Wednesday suggested he would support taxing some health benefits.
House Democrats: ‘We Will Fight’ Any Plan Without Public Option
Liberal House Democrats are threatening to kill any plan that doesn’t include a government-run public option, Roll Call reports.
Senators Fear Health Reform Could Endanger Employer-Sponsored Insurance
Senators discussed for a long time Wednesday the possibility that the health reform overhaul could derail America’s tradition of employer insurance plans, The New York Times reports.
