Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial Urges Broader HIV Testing In South Carolina, Across Nation
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control “has prioritized testing” for HIV and offered free or low-cost testing at events in conjunction with National HIV Testing Day last week.
PLoS Medicine Editorial Argues For Water Access To Be Considered Human Right
“As scientists warn that the world’s fresh water supplies will soon run critically short, and companies scramble to privatize them, some researchers and activists say water should be considered a basic human right,” Wired’s blog, “Wired Science” writes of an editorial published in PLoS Medicine Tuesday.
Youth Who Believe They Will Die Young More Likely To Be Diagnosed With HIV/AIDS, Study Finds
Teenagers who believe that they will die at a young age are seven times more likely than optimistic teenagers to be diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in early adulthood.
Study Examines PEPFAR Efforts In Zambia
A report from researchers at the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) examines how $577 million in PEPFAR funding between 2004 and 2008 was used in Zambia, PlusNews/IRIN reports.
White House Officials Used Twitter, Ashton Kutcher To Promote HIV Testing Day
The White House sought the help of actor Ashton Kutcher to promote National HIV Testing Day on June 27, through his Twitter page.
Funding, Restrictions Keep WFP From Reaching Millions Of Hungry North Koreans
The U.N.’s World Food Programme (WFP) said Wednesday a “lack of international funding and new restrictions by North Korea on its staff and where it can operate has left it unable to reach millions of hungry women and children in the impoverished country,” AP/Taiwan News reports.
Roche To Offer Developing Countries Discounted Tamiflu
The vaccine manufacturer Roche on Wednesday announced a program to help ensure developing countries have access to its antiviral Tamiflu, for “the management of a novel influenza strain defined by the WHO as having significant and current pandemic potential,” Reuters reports.
White House Refines Health Reform Message
As the White House declines direct comment on pending health care reform bills in Congress, President Obama is readying his message ahead of his second town hall meeting in as many weeks, Roll Call reports.
New Poll Suggests Slim Majority Favors Obama Plan
A new poll conducted by CNN and the Opinion Research Corporation released Wednesday says that 51 percent of people favor the president’s health reform plan while 45 percent oppose it, CNN reports.
Congressional Recess: Senators Talk Health Reform With Voters, Staffs Toil On Bills
Three Republican senators took the case against Democrats’ health reform to a Texas Medical Center Tuesday warning that a government insurance option is a “gateway to a single-payer system,” The Houston Chronicle reports.
‘Underinsured’ Face Financial And Coverage Problems
Health care is increasingly expensive, including for the insured, and many insurance plans offer only limited benefits and a false sense of security.
Two Doctors Share Their Expectations For Health Reform
Two doctors with over 30 years of experience spoke with National Public Radio about how medicine has changed over their careers, and what they expect to see come out of the current health reform debate.
Today’s Selection Of Opinions And Editorials
Today’s Selection Of Opinions And Editorials
Colorado Medicaid Cuts Some Services For Developmentally Disabled
“Cuts to Medicaid benefits for hundreds of developmentally disabled people in Colorado take effect today,” The Gazette reports.
Questions Linger Over Pharmaceutical Deal Agreement To Cut Costs
“As details emerge of the pharmaceutical industry’s agreement to kick in $80 billion to help pay for health care reform, the deal is facing increasing skepticism from inside and outside the health care industry,” Politico reports.
Kenya Malaria Study Shows One-Third Of Patients Receive ACTs
Just about one-third of people seeking malaria treatment in Kenya received the recommended artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) and some people are being treated with ineffective drugs like chloroquine, which was phased out almost 10 years ago, according to the recently launched 2007 Kenya Malaria Indicator Survey
Ad Update: Religious Groups Back Reform, Unions Target Senators’ Tax Plans
“Labor unions are showing their increasing displeasure over [health reform] financing proposals that target their healthcare benefits by launching attack ads against key lawmakers, causing the Senate’s leading advocate of taxing such benefits to seek an end to one especially aggressive campaign,” CongressDaily reports.
Panel Suggests 100 Priorities For Comp. Effectiveness Research
An Institute of Medicine panel released a list of 100 priorities for comparing the effectiveness of medical treatments under a $1.1 billion, stimulus-funded research program.
Wal-Mart Backs Employer Mandate On Insurance
Many news outlets covered Wal-Mart’s decision to support requiring employers to provide health insurance to workers, a key part of Democratic health overhaul plans. The move was a “break” with other business groups.
