Latest KFF Health News Stories
Major Medical Biller Goes Public As Health Reform Raises Expectations For Sector
Analysts say medical biller Emdeon’s IPO this week offers a firm investment opportunity as a market leader in a sector poised to boom if health care reform efforts succeed.
Today’s Selection Of Opinions And Editorials
Today’s Selection Of Opinions And Editorials.
Underinsured Face Daunting Medical Bills, Look For Help From Congress
“While much of the American health care discussion has focused on providing coverage to the country’s 46 million uninsured, there is growing concern about millions more who are underinsured, or whose policies require them to pay thousands of dollars out-of-pocket before coverage kicks in,” The Sacramento Bee reports.
Lawmakers Scrutinized, But Signal A Possible Deal
Lawmakers are facing scrutiny from constituents over the August recess, but some signal they might be ready for a deal.
Sorting Out The Truth In The Health Care Debate
News outlets try to help people sort through what’s real and what’s not in the health overhaul debate.
New Web Site Will Help Utah Residents Compare, Buy Health Insurance
Some Utah residents will be able to compare and buy health insurance plans in an exchange that goes live August 19.
Emphasis On Quality Reduces Deaths In Hospitals, Report Finds
A report finds that a focus on quality reduces the number of deaths in U.S. hospitals, specifically saving 47,000 lives a year and preventing 92,000 complications.
Indian Health Service Contemplates Its Role In Health Care Reform
The Indian Health Service contemplates its role in health care reform.
New Poll Exploring Reform Opinions Shows Americans Divided In Complex Ways
Views on health reform, including how fast to act and what’s important to protect vary and sometimes conflict depending on a person’s age and region of the country, whether he or she has insurance, and is healthy or ailing, USA Today reports.
Deadly Hospital Errors Go Unreported
Estimates say nearly 98,000 people die from preventable medical mistakes each year, while another 99,000 die of hospital-acquired infections, yet there is no comprehensive system for reporting medical errors.
First Edition: August 10, 2009
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Drug Industry To Spend $150 Million To Support Obama In Health Overhaul Efforts
Pharmaceutical companies are prepared to spend more than $150 million to press for passage of health reform legislation.
Facts And Tactics Under Fire In Health Care Debate
As town hall meetings continue to be the venue for intense arguments over health reform, no one seems to be able to agree on why people are showing up at the meetings.
Obama: Opposition Health Claims ‘Simply Not True’
In his weekly radio and internet address, the president said critics of health reform proposals are making ‘outlandish’ claims.
Senators Leave Town With White House Advice About Defending Health Proposals
Senators left Washington today, each side armed with health care talking points for the August recess. Democrats got some last minute tips from the White House.
Issues Surrounding Ending Of HIV Vaccine Trial Agreement In Chicago Examined
Officials from the Chicago-based Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center, “the largest outpatient infectious disease clinic in the Midwest ” has decided against participating in an HIV vaccine trial being conducted by Atlanta-based GeoVax Labs, “citing concerns for patients and finances,” the Chicago Free Press reports.
Clinton To Meet With South African Leaders
After arriving in South Africa on Thursday as part of her 11-day African tour, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has “encouraged South Africa to take a leadership role on the political crisis in neighboring Zimbabwe,” Bloomberg reports (Zacharia, 8/7).
Legality Of California Governor’s Budget Cuts Examined
The California “Legislature’s legal adviser issued a four-page opinion Wednesday that asserted the bulk of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s $489 million in budget line-item vetoes were illegal,” including cuts made to the state Office of AIDS, the Sacramento Bee reports.
