Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: January 30, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a report that GOP leaders are pledging quick action on legislation to extend the payroll tax break and to prevent a scheduled cut in Medicare physician payment.
Gingrich: Romney Couldn’t ‘Defend Himself’ On Health Care In Debate Against Obama
Newt Gingrich says because of the Mass. health reform, Mitt Romney would be ineffective at debating President Obama.
Democrats ‘Practically Drooling’ To Use Medicare Policies Against GOP In Campaigns
News outlets covered strategy talks at a congressional Democrats’ retreat.
Capsules: Bipartisan Report Highlights Gaps, Recommendations For Health IT
A new report says despite efforts to digitize health records, big gaps in implementation persist.
Capsules: Heavy Doctors Avoid Heavy Discussions
A new study shows that heavier doctors are less likely to discuss obesity with their patients.
Health Policies In The Fray Of GOP Presidential Primary Debate
Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney was challenged on the health law he signed while governor of Massachusetts, with his rivals pressing its similarities to the 2010 federal overhaul signed by President Barack Obama.
GAO: CMS Should Change How It Calculates Medicare Private Plan Payments
Insurers offering Medicare Advantage plans were overpaid by as much as $3.1 billion in 2010 because the government miscalculated how sick beneficiaries were, according to a review by the Government Accountability Office that was made public by congressional Democrats.
States Redesigning Mental Health Programs, Coverage And Care
States are grappling with mental health issues including a redesign of a program in Iowa, increased coverage for the mentally ill in California and a first aid pilot program in Pennsylvania.
Single-Payer Bill Fails In California Senate
A single-payer health plan failed by two votes in the California State Senate Thursday.
International Roadmap For TB Research Outlines Priorities
In this post in the PLoS “Speaking of Medicine” blog, guest blogger Christian Lienhardt, senior scientific adviser at the Stop TB Partnership and WHO, “discusses the International Roadmap for Tuberculosis (TB) Research, a framework outlining priority areas for investment in TB research.” He writes, “The tools available for TB control are old, lack effectiveness, and are not readily accessible in many settings,” adding, “Fortunately there is hope, thanks to notable progress in the development of new tools for TB control over the last decade,” such as “the recent introduction of Xpert MTB/RIF — a DNA-based molecular assay that can diagnose TB and the presence of rifampicin-resistance in 100 minutes” (1/26).
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care policy from around the country.
Addressing TB Prevention, Treatment Among Migrant Populations
In this post on USAID’s “IMPACTblog,” Christina Lau, USAID health officer for Central Asia, discusses tackling tuberculosis (TB) in migrant populations, writing, “Most migrants are unable to access the health care system because they are undocumented laborers, who lack proper identification documents required for health care treatment, and who fear deportation if their documentation status becomes known.” She notes, “USAID is working in coalition with government and international partners in order to improve access to TB services and treatment for this crucial population” (1/26).
Cote d’Ivoire Abandoning Free Health Care Scheme Due To Cost, Mismanagement
IRIN reports that Cote d’Ivoire is abandoning its free health care for all scheme after a period of nine months, noting, “Theft, poor management and rising costs have made the service — introduced by President Alassane Ouattara’s government at the end of civil conflict to ease a dire public health situation — unaffordable.” According to the news service, “As of February, the free service will only be available to mothers and their children,” meaning “free care for deliveries and free treatment for diseases affecting children under six years old.”
Managing Distance And Aging Parents’ Care
The Associated Press explores the difficulties involved in being a long-distance caregiver for aging parents and how demographic trends fuel these challenges.
WellPoint To Revamp Primary Care Pay
This summer, WellPoint, the nation’s second largest health insurer, will begin paying more for primary care.
State Roundup: Uninsured Not The Usual Suspects In Texas, Calif.
A selection of health care news from Texas, California, New York, Maine, Maryland, Georgia and Virginia.
Doctors Press Boehner To Stop Mandated Insurance Code Switch
The American Medical Association opposes implementation of the coding system known as ICD-10, saying it would require physician offices to deal with an estimated 68,000 insurance codes — five times more than the current 13,000.
The Political Implications Of The Wyden-Ryan Plan
Politico reports on the continuing Medicare policy collaboration between Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Rep. Paul Ryan, D-Wis.
CMS Officials Focus On Health Care Innovation
At yesterday’s ‘Summit,’ officials from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services advanced the notion that finding new ways to improve quality of care is also the best way to address high health care costs.
House GOP Waits For High Court To Decide Individual Mandate Issue
Part of the rationale for not addressing the provision in the Republican repeal strategy is to avoid giving the Supreme Court justices a reason not to strike it down.
