Latest KFF Health News Stories
Co-ops Offer Compromise, But Could Take Decades To Develop
“A network of health insurance plans run by the customers they serve, proposed in the U.S. Congress to offset opposition to a government-run system, may take a generation to pay off, even with $10 billion in seed money,” Bloomberg reports.
Paying For Health Care Overhaul May Fall Unevenly On States
Paying For Health Care Overhaul May Fall Unevenly On States
Lobbying Draws on Ranks Of Former Government Officials, Health Industry Coffers
“The nation’s largest insurers, hospitals and medical groups have hired more than 350 former government staff members and retired members of Congress in hopes of influencing their old bosses and colleagues,” according to a Washington Post investigation.
Physician Shortage Could Hinder Health Reform
The number of new primary care doctors each year has fallen nearly 50 percent since 1997, leaving a shortage that could hinder Congress’s ambition to reform health care and cover millions of uninsured Americans.
Hospital Industry May Cut Billions To Help With Reform
The hospital industry is close to agreeing to cut $150 billion to $170 billion over the next decade as part of a deal with the White House and congressional democrats to help pay for health reform. While not final, the deal could be announced within days.
Letter From Sens. Dodd and Kennedy to HELP Committee
The letter sent by Sens. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., and Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., to other members of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee about the committee’s health overhaul bill, as released by Sen. Dodd.
Senate Dems Say New HELP Bill Lowers Cost Of Health Reform
Key members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee said in a news conference call that their new health reform proposal would keep more people in employer-sponsored health plans and cost less than an earlier, heavily criticized version.
Politico Examines Retraction, Resubmission Of Proposed HIV Travel Ban Rule
Politico’s blog “Under the Radar” explores HHS’ recent decision to revise documents submitted to the Federal Register regarding a change in HIV-related immigration policy.
Politico Examines Retraction, Resubmission Of HHS HIV Immigration Policy
Politico’s Blog “Under the Radar” explores the HHS’ recent decision to revise documents submitted to the Federal Register regarding a change in HIV-related immigration policy.
Indian Court Overturns 150-Year-Old Ban On Gay Sex
An Indian court on Thursday ruled that “gay sex between consenting adults was not a crime, ordering that the rights of citizens were violated by parts of a 150-year-old colonial-era law that made it illegal,” Bloomberg reports.
Wellcome Trust To Give $50M To Boost Health Research In Africa
The Wellcome Trust on Thursday pledged 30 million pounds or about $50 million to support health research at more than 50 African institutions, Nature reports.
Some Groups Say Iowa HIV Transmission Law Worsens Stigma, Hinders Testing Efforts
Some Iowa groups are concerned that the state’s criminal HIV transmission law adds to the stigma associated with the virus and hampers testing efforts, and are urging lawmakers to revisit the law.
Phill Wilson, CEO of the Black AIDS Institute (BAI), last week addressed the annual convention of the National Newspapers Publishers Association where he discussed the reasons blacks “were so slow to grasp the severity of the threat” of HIV.
Lancet Examines Obama Administration’s Progress On HIV/AIDS-Related Campaign Pledges
The July issue of the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases examines whether President Obama is fulfilling his campaign promises to tackle HIV/AIDS abroad and domestically.
HELP Democrats Draft New Bill With Public Plan And Employer Mandate That They Say Is Cheaper
Democrats on a key Senate committee are readying a plan that has a government-run insurance option and a $750-per-worker fee on larger companies that do not offer coverage to its employees, The Associated Press reports.
White House Reform Chief Was On Boards of Health Companies With Suspect Practices
Before taking her job as the White House health reform director, Nancy-Ann DeParle earned more than $6 million serving on the boards of major health care corporations, some of which were accused of fraud, mismanagement and regulatory violations during her tenure.
WHO, Wyeth Launch Trial In Africa To Test New River Blindness Drug
The WHO on Wednesday announced plans for a clinical trial to test a new drug that “could halve the treatment period for river blindness [or onchocerciasis], a disease that threatens 100 million people mostly in Africa,” AFP/CNN Money reports.
UNAIDS Director Calls For G8 To Come Through On HIV/AIDS Funding Pledges
Michel Sidibe, the executive director of UNAIDS, voiced concerns that wealthy nations who previously pledged to help Africa stop the spread of HIV/AIDS during the G8 summit four years ago, might instead use funds to bolster their own ailing economies, Reuters reports.
Rockefeller Foundation Launches $100M 5-Year Initiative To Improve Health Systems In Africa, Asia
The Rockefeller Foundation launched a $100 million, five-year initiative aimed at improving health systems in Asia and Africa, Judith Rodin, the foundation’s president, said in a speech on Wednesday in Nairobi, Kenya, Xinhua reports.
