Latest KFF Health News Stories
Chevron Recognized As First ‘Global Fund Corporate Champion,’ VOA News Reports
VOA News reports on a March 20 panel meeting in Washington, D.C., that highlighted the contributions of corporations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Chevron, which has “invested $30 million for the three-year period between 2008 and 2011 and has pledged another $25 million through 2013,” was recognized at the meeting as “the first Global Fund Corporate Champion,” according to VOA (DeCapua, 3/23).
Opinion Pieces, Editorials, Blog Posts Recognize World TB Day
Saturday, March 24 was World Tuberculosis (TB) Day. The following is a summary of several editorials and opinion pieces published in recognition of the day.
Day 1 At The Court: Is Time Right For Health Law Review?
Today’s oral arguments will focus on whether an 1867 law — the Anti-Injunction Act – allows the court to consider the challenges to the health law before the individual mandate provision takes effect in 2014.
BRICS Countries Increasing Global Health, Development Aid, Report Says
As their economies grow, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — known collectively as BRICS — “are injecting new resources, innovation and momentum into efforts to improve health in the world’s poorest countries, according to a report [.pdf] by Global Health Strategies initiatives [GHSi]” released on Monday, Business Live reports (Roberts, 3/26). “The report was released in New Delhi, India, where the BRICS Summit, including a heads of government meeting, will be held from 28-29 March,” a GHSi press release (.pdf) states.
Spectator Point-By-Point Guides To The Supreme Court’s Health Law Review
As the health law’s challengers and defenders head to court, media outlets take big-picture looks at how the upcoming three days of arguments could play out, provide primers that detail the key aspects of the issues in play as well and give a heads up on what to watch for.
National Biosecurity Panel To Hold Closed-Door Meeting On Bird Flu Research
The National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) is scheduled this week to hold “a closed-door meeting to once again look at unpublished manuscripts describing” two studies that showed how H5N1 bird flu virus could be manipulated to become transmissible among ferrets, a model for humans, NPR’s health blog “Shots” reports, noting that the meeting “will include a classified briefing from the intelligence community.” The article examines the “dual use” nature of the studies, meaning “legitimate scientific work that’s intended to advance science or medicine, but that also might be misused with the intent to do harm.” Though the “concept of dual use got a lot of attention even before this bird flu controversy,” scientists, institutions and funding agencies do not always have policies in place to review the potential consequences of research, the blog notes (Greenfieldboyce, 3/26).
U.N. SG Ban Calls For Global Effort To Fight TB On World TB Day
Speaking on Saturday at a World Tuberculosis (TB) Day event, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon “called for a global effort to diagnose and treat tuberculosis,” United Press International reports (3/24). According to the WHO, 8.8 million people contracted TB in 2010, and 1.4 million people died of the disease, primarily in low and middle-income countries, CBS News’ “Health Pop” blog notes (Castillo, 3/24). “Let us vow to end the neglect of TB and to end deaths from this disease in our lifetime,” Ban said, adding, “It is critical to support those who lack the means to respond with the care and treatment they need to enjoy healthy and productive lives. … With the right interventions, we can make a major difference,” according to the U.N. News Centre (3/24).
On Capitol Hill, Both Parties See Political Advantage In Rep. Ryan’s Newest Plan
The budget proposal offered last week by the Wisconsin Republican would revamp the Medicare system.
State Roundup: Wash. State Exchange Bill Now Law
A selection of state health policy and politics stories from Texas, Washington state, Georgia, Iowa, Oregon, Connecticut and Minnesota.
Setting The Scene: Court Arguments Offer Different Kind Of Drama
With no Twitter, cameras or telephones allowing reports from inside the court, much of the action will take place on the outside. A range of groups have planned demonstrations. All the while, the lawyers involved in the arguments have been busy with “moot court” practice sessions; spectators have been waiting in line in hopes of getting a seat; and stakeholders, such as the health care industry, are anxiously watching for clues to the outcome.
States Brace For Impact Of Health Law Ruling
Even with the health law’s future in question, news reports indicate that some states are pressing forward with implementation, while another — Massachusetts — considers itself untouched by what becomes of the federal law. All the while, the politics of the health overhaul will play a significant role at the state level, too.
N.Y. Seeking Medicaid Waiver; Calif. Adult Services Lawsuit Now ‘Unsettled’
A selection of Medicaid news.
Hospital Happenings: Arizona Nurse Shortage Complication, Other News
A selection of hospital news from New York, Arizona, Massachusetts, Texas and Colorado.
Viewpoints: Walter Dellinger’s Health Care Myths; A ‘Moment Of Truth’ Or End Of Health Reform?
Commentators from around the country offer their views of the historic case being heard at the Supreme Court today.
Politics Provides The Backdrop For Justices’ Consideration Of Health Law
The proceedings at the high court could shake the fall elections in a variety of ways. Even before the arguments begin, both sides of the fight are a bit battleworn from the court’s past rulings and the path that has led to this week’s clashes.
Viewpoints: Enzi, McDermott, Harkin, Nadler, Pelosi Make Their Arguments As Law Heads To Court
In a series of op-eds, several well-known politicians offer their views on the federal health law.
Editorials: Newspapers Call For Justices To Dismiss Challenge To Health Law
Several major news organizations editorialized on the arguments beginning at the Supreme Court today.
Amped Up Health Law Debate Creeps Into Presidential, Congressional Races
Mitt Romney raises his attack on the Democrats’ health care law while GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum assails Romney for championing the Massachusetts health law — and takes the fight to the steps of the Supreme Court.
Viewpoints: Keeping High Court Arguments Away From TV Is ‘National Shame’
Several news outlets call for the Supreme Court to open up to the public through television.
Doctors Adjusting (Or Not) To E-Prescribing, Smartphones
CMS will penalize doctors who fail to reach electronic prescribing rules.
