Latest KFF Health News Stories
Millions Of North Koreans Face Malnutrition Despite Recent Food Aid, Relief Agencies Warn
“Relief agencies have warned that millions of North Koreans are malnourished, with the most vulnerable facing starvation in the coming months, despite reports that the impoverished state has received food aid from China and South Korea,” the Lancet reports. “The warning comes after the sudden death of the North Korea’s former leader, Kim Jong-Il, put on hold a possible deal in which it was preparing to accept 240,000 tons of food aid from the U.S. in return for suspending its uranium enrichment program, which would give it a further means of developing nuclear weapons,” the journal writes. “The recent donations aside, U.N. agencies say that three million of North Korea’s 24 million people will require food aid this year, adding that children are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition,” the Lancet notes, adding, “According to a report by [World Food Programme] and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, North Korea faces a food deficit of 414,000 tons this year” (McCurry, 2/18).
First Edition: February 17, 2012
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations include reports about the latest debate on the Obama administration’s regulation to mandate free birth control for women.
Hospitals, Labs Lose In Medicare SGR Agreement
Congress is expected to vote on the deal before the Presidents Day recess.
Contraception Battle Flares On Two Fronts
Democratic women representatives walk out of a hearing in protest of an all-male panel; House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi blasts the committee. Meanwhile, Foster Friess, a major donor to Rick Santorum’s campaign, makes an aspirin-as-contraception comment to MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell.
Home Health Industry Fights Minimum Wage Rule
USA Today reports about the effort by home health care companies fighting an administration proposal on pay. Meanwhile in Connecticut, officials are considering changes in pay rules.
Iowa, Ga. Legislatures Consider Anti-Abortion Bills
Iowa lawmakers consider banning all abortions while Georgia is weighing banning health insurers from covering the procedure.
Birth Control Rule Will Apply To Self-Insured Groups, Sebelius Says; Political Fallout Continues
Both sides mount what they say will be prolonged campaigns to shape public perceptions on the issue, both on Capitol Hill and in races around the country.
Campaign 2012: Santorum’s Hospital Board Compensation; Sebelius ‘Urged To Sit Out’ Fundraisers
Rick Santorum’s newly released tax returns show his wealth has increased substantially since leaving the Senate – leaving him subject him to an attack from Mitt Romney.
Two GOP Senators Propose Medicare Overhaul Plan
Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Richard Burr of North Carolina call for a “grown-up” conversation about the changes needed to preserve Medicare for future generations.
White House Budget Director Stumbles On Question About Mandate
The health law’s individual mandate is not a tax, the OMB director said under questioning at a Capitol Hill hearing Wednesday, even though the administration has claimed the opposite in its defense of the law before the Supreme Court.
Viewpoints: Contraception Conscience Vs. Political Objections; Is The Mandate The ‘Non-Tax’ Tax?
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the U.S.
Sebelius: Exchanges Will Strengthen Employer Health Coverage
The Health and Human Services secretary told Senate Finance Committee members she expects health insurance exchanges to give employers another option to provide coverage to workers. In the meantime, HHS is touting newly covered preventive services it says 86 million Americans have used.
States And The Health Law: Wyoming Exchange, N.H. Compact Legislation, Texas Lawsuit
State legislatures are deciding on various aspects of the 2010 federal health law. Meanwhile, the 2006 reform in Mass. is popular.
A selection of hospital news from Massachusetts, Texas, Pennsylvania and Colorado.
Shortage Looming, Drug Maker Agrees To Release Emergency Supplies Of Kids’ Cancer Drug
A shortage of a drug used to treat children’s cancer seems to have been averted for a time as the Food and Drug Administration says it reached an agreement with the drug supplier to release emergency supplies. Elsewhere, rules sometimes force hospitals to throw away scarce drugs.
Congressional Negotiators Announce ‘Doc Fix,’ Payroll Tax Cut Deal
Some Democrats fretted over cuts to the health care law to help pay for the package; physician groups were disappointed it did not replace Medicare’s sustainable growth rate formula.
Federal Probe Of FDA’s Treatment Of Whistleblowers Widens
Investigators say they are broadening their efforts because of “new and troubling allegations.”
Bill To Bar Synthetic Recreational Drugs Hits Roadblock
Legislation’s sponsors assail Sen. Rand Paul for putting a hold on the bill.
A selection of health policy stories from California, Maryland, Washington D.C., Florida, Louisiana, Illinois, Iowa, Oregon and Minnesota.
Longer Looks: GOP Contraceptive Amendment Could Have Wider Effect; The Love Of Caregiving
This week’s selection of intriguing weekend reading includes articles from Mother Jones, The Washington Post Magazine, Huffington Post, Governing and Slate.
