Latest KFF Health News Stories
Lawmakers, Constituents Continue Talking About Health Overhaul
Lawmakers from both parties are continuing town hall health care conversations.
Election Date Set For Kennedy’s Replacement; Dodd Ponders Political Future
A special election to fill Kennedy’s empty Senate seat has been scheduled for Jan. 19.
Proposed D.C. Council Bill Would Mandate HIV Testing In Local Jails
A bill proposed by Washington, D.C., council member Marion Barry (D), which “has been stalled in committee since July,” would mandate HIV testing and counseling for all district jail inmates upon admission, the Washington Post reports.
Poll: Most Americans Confused About Health Care Proposals
A new CBS News poll finds a majority of Americans confused about the health care reform proposals being debated in Congress. Experts say some of the anger this month about legislation is not just about health care.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
News Reports Examine HIV/AIDS Services In Two California Counties
Solano County, Calif., “no longer offers HIV testing, HIV monitoring, prevention and outreach programs and AIDS case management, said [Peter Turner, supervising health education specialist for the county Department of Health and Social Services], who estimates between 1,500 and 2,000 people are living with HIV in Solano County,” the Vallejo Times-Herald reports.
Status of Ryan White Program Examined
khou.com examines the Ryan White Program, which expires on Sept. 30: “If Congress doesn’t reauthorize it, patients in cities across the country may go without access to their medications, doctors and case management.”
New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle Editorial Examine Male Circumcision Debate
The New York Times examines the “controversy” that began last week when the CDC announced that it has “been mulling over whether” to recommend voluntary male circumsion for populations including, “infants and even adult men who are at risk for HIV.”
Washington D.C., Launches Five-Year, HIV Testing, Awareness Campaign
Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and the district Department of Health Director Pierre Vigilance on Friday announced that they are “launching a new campaign to increase HIV testing in the district,” News8.net reports.
Lawmakers Sound Off On Health Care Reform
Lawmakers from around the United States are sounding off on health care reform from all sides and all points of view of the political spectrum as the health care reform debate again heats up.
‘Public Plan’ Divides Democrats On Health Bills
The Democrats’ split over inclusion of a government-run public plan could be making the chances of overhaul America’s health care system less likely.
Globe And Mail Examines HIV/AIDS Rate In India
The Globe and Mail writes that “[w]hen India announced in 2007 that it had 2.3 million people living with HIV, rather than the 5.7 million reported the year before, the government first attributed much of the change to better data collection. Many in the AIDS field were skeptical.”
Democrats Appeal For Health Legislation To Honor Kennedy
Democrats called Sunday for civil debate on health care reform among lawmakers as a way of honoring Sen. Edward Kennedy and Democrats align themselves for Democratic primary seat to replace Kennedy.
Gates Foundation Task Force Visits Flooded Indian State
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation recently sent an eight member task force, led by the foundation’s country head Ashok Alexander, to the Indian state of Bihar, which has experienced significant flooding in many districts, PTI/Hindu reports (8/30).
Obama Returns From Vacation Facing Tough Health Overhaul Odds, But Has Some Strengths
“President Obama still has stronger prospects for achieving his health policy goals than surface impressions of the Congressional recess indicate,” the New York Times reports.
Gates Foundation Appoints New HIV Program Head
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation recently announced that Stefano Bertozzi will head up its HIV programs starting August 31, the Puget Sound Business Journal reports.
Poll Finds More Confidence About Paying For Health Care; Young Adults Most Supportive Of Reform
A new Reuters poll finds growing confidence in Americans’ ability to pay for their health care costs.
Explainers And Fact Checks On Health Reform Bills
Various news organizations offer explainers and fact checks on health reform legislation.
House Bill Would Strengthen Federal Comparative Effectiveness Programs
“To supporters, the move is a no-brainer way to try to increase the efficiency of the bloated US healthcare system,” the Christian Science Monitor reports. “But opponents see it as something that Washington in time might use to restrict patient access to risky, unproven, or expensive treatments.”
