Latest KFF Health News Stories
Experts Urge Revamping of Long-Term Medicare Funding Mechanisms
Experts see major revamp of the long-term Medicare funding mechanisms as a critical part of health reform. Many praise recent deals by drug makers and hospitals to make budget cuts, but say more long-term cost cutting should occur.
U.S. Chamber Outlines Ways To Decrease Medical Costs
“Making use of backstops for healthcare insurance” could help address “soaring medical costs,” the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said during a conference on Friday.
Physician Discusses HIV Testing, ‘Frank’ Conversations With Teenagers
The Baltimore Sun’s blog “Picture of Health” features comments from Allison Agwu, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, who discussed HIV awareness and testing among teenagers.
WFP Appeals For $23M To Help Women, Children In Yemen
The World Food Programme (WFP) issued an urgent appeal on Tuesday for $23 million in “financial support from international donors for food aid to Yemen specifically targeted at women and children,” AFP/Google.com reports.
Obama Cabinet Members Meet Thursday For H1N1 Preparedness Summit
“The White House, months before flu season, will roll out the big guns Thursday for a swine flu preparedness summit, underscoring the importance the Obama administration is placing on the pandemic,” CNN reports.
President Obama To Visit Ghana Friday
IRIN reports that Ghanaians “are mixing high hopes with caution” in anticipation of President Obama’s arrival in the country Friday
Leaders of the world’s five biggest developing economies (G5)
Washington, D.C., Officials Urge ‘Opt-Out’ HIV Testing, Discuss Prevention
City council members and health officials in Washington, D.C., are asking “health care providers to make HIV testing part of routine patient treatment,” the Washington Examiner reports.
Dems Divided As Congressional Health Overhaul Efforts Stall
Senators working feverishly to pass health reform ahead of Congress’ August recess raised doubts Wednesday on whether they will be able to pass reform on schedule, The Boston Globe reports.
Washington State Insurers Impose Double Digit Rate Hikes, Again
“In what is becoming an annual ordeal for policyholders, Regence BlueShield is raising premiums for 135,000 individual health-plan members in Washington [state] by an average 17 percent on Aug. 1,” the Seattle Times reports.
Administration Officials Take Health Reform Reins In Obama’s Absence
White House staff and administration officials are trying to maintain their visibility on health care reform this week with public events and meetings as Obama travels, Roll Call reports.
Payment Reform: A Trend In White House Thinking
White House health reformers have pressed over the last month for payment reforms that would reward doctors and hospitals for spending less and delivering higher quality, rather than simply providing a higher volume of services.
Healthcare Reform Gets Boost From Hospital Groups
“In the face of mounting Republican opposition to its healthcare agenda, the Obama administration received a boost Wednesday, winning a preliminary agreement with leading hospital groups to cut federal payments to the industry over the next decade,” The Los Angeles Times reports.
Health Care Overhaul Ignores Illegal Immigrants
“As Congress wrangles with overhauling the health care system, there is one population not being discussed. No proposal for a national health plan would cover the nation’s estimated 11 million illegal immigrants,” NPR reports.
Washington Post Examines Northern Virginia Clinic That Serves People Living With HIV/AIDS
The Washington Post examines one of INOVA Juniper Program’s six clinics serving those with HIV/AIDS located “[t]wo blocks down the road” from the old Whitman-Walker clinic, which “served the Northern Virginia HIV/AIDS community for more than a decade, [and] closed this year because of financial constraints.”
States Undergo A Variety Of Health Care Policy Developments
Recent state-level action includes the vetoe of two health insurance bills in Connecticut.
Today’s Selection Of Opinions And Editorials
Today’s selection of opinions and editorials.
A Selection Of Recent Studies And Surveys
Recent research includes studies regarding racial disparities in breast cancer mortality; Medicare Part D’s impact on drug and medical spending; and health department efforts to communicate swine flu risk.
