Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: December 20, 2011
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports that the Capitol Hill deadlock continues over the payroll tax cut extension. Also in the news, the HHS picks for “pioneers” to test a new health care model and the Supreme Court’s plan to hear health law arguments in March.
Congress Passes FY12 Spending Bill, Including Funding For Global Health
“The Senate on Saturday passed the final spending bills for 2012, eliminating the risk of a government shutdown until next fall,” National Journal reports (Snell/Friedman, 12/17). The House passed the measure on Friday, National Journal notes (Goldmacher/Friedman, 12/16). According to Inter Press Service, “U.S. foreign aid and support for multilateral institutions emerged in somewhat better shape than many observers had expected” (Lobe, 12/16).
Grand Challenges Canada, Gates Foundation Announce Grants To Develop Portable Diagnostic Tools
The Canadian government-funded non-profit Grand Challenges Canada and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation “have invested around $32 million in the discovery and development of new and improved diagnostic tools to help health workers in developing countries, with the aim of speeding up treatment and saving lives,” IRIN reports (12/16). “Innovative point-of-care diagnostic tools such as a piece of woven fabric which can test blood or urine for disease and a simple, easy to use test for diagnosing diarrheal disease which is the biggest killer of developing world children under the age of five are some of the projects which are receiving funding,” according to a Grand Challenges press release (.pdf) (12/16).
India’s Cabinet Passes Food Security Bill
“India’s cabinet agreed on Sunday to tackle widespread malnutrition with food subsidies for two-thirds of the country’s 1.2 billion population, a move that may shore up support for the government but carries risks for the faltering economy,” Reuters reports. “The new scheme aims to tackle rates of child malnutrition that are worse than in sub-Saharan Africa, but critics say slowing growth and a widening fiscal deficit in Asia’s third largest economy mean the timing of the bill is irresponsible,” the news agency writes (Prusty, 12/18).
ABC News’ 20/20 Examines Maternal Health, Mortality Worldwide
ABC News’ 20/20 on Friday examined maternal health and mortality worldwide in a program titled “Giving Life: A Risky Proposition.” The show was a sort of “sequel” to a series launched last year called “Be the Change: Save a Life,” host Diane Sawyer said (12/16). ABC News also posted a list of statistics related to maternal health (Jester, 12/17).
Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline To Increase Sales Of Pneumococcal Vaccines Through GAVI
Pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline are increasing their sales of reduced-cost pneumonia vaccines to developing countries through the GAVI Alliance “by more than 50 percent, marking the scale-up of an international program to protect millions of children,” Reuters reports (Hirschler, 12/16).
U.S. To Work With South Sudan On Agriculture; Aid Agencies Warn Of Hunger Threat
“Speaking at a two-day development and investment conference for South Sudan in Washington, D.C., [Secretary of State] Hillary Clinton said the newly independent country had the potential to be ‘one of Africa’s breadbaskets'” and said the U.S. would work with private sector partners to invest in the nation’s agriculture system, the Guardian reports. “However, aid agencies cautioned that the excitement about investment opportunities should not overshadow the country’s immediate humanitarian needs,” the newspaper writes.
U.N. Asks For $447M In Humanitarian Aid For Yemen
The U.N. on Sunday released its Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan 2012, asking for $447 million in humanitarian assistance targeted toward four million vulnerable people in the country, Reuters reports (Fuchs, 12/18). A statement from the U.N. Inter-Agency Standing Committee said more than half of those at risk will be “severely food insecure” in the coming year, Agence France-Presse notes.
Payroll Tax Cut Extension And ‘Doc Fix’ Stall In House
What appeared to be a “sure deal” is now coming undone as House Republicans are balking at the Senate’s short-term approach.
As Attacks Continue, So Do Health Law Implementation Efforts, Challenges
The Hill and Reuters report on the health law’s numerous 2012 battle fronts – starting with the Supreme Court’s review of the law and moving toward the November elections. Meanwhile, however, other news outlets report on continuing implementation of the measure, including the creation of a federal health exchange and defense of its prevention fund.
State Roundup: Financial Issues Threaten N.Y.’s Brookdale Hospital
News outlets report on a variety of state health policy issues.
Wis. Study Finds Low Medicare, Medicaid Rates Shift Costs
A number of states are looking for ways to deal with their budget problems and the resulting Medicaid issues.
Gulf War Illness Research Get $10 Million Boost
Congress approved $10 million in dedicated research funding.
Health Panel Under Fire For Screening Advice
Reuters reports on how the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is under fire for recent recommendations.
Many Not-For-Profit Hospitals Spend Less Than 2% On Charity Care
Media outlets ponder the financial status of not-for-profit hospitals, as well as the challenges facing those in rural communities. Also in the news, the hospice industry continues to fare well.
More Digital Data Equals More Risk Of Breaches
The New York Times reports that, as more patient data become digital, the risk of breaches increases.
Viewpoints: Is Wyden-Ryan Medicare Plan A Game Changer?; The GOP And The Individual Mandate
A selection of editorials and opinions on health care policy from around the country.
Romney’s Medicaid Comments Draw Criticism That He Is ‘Out Of Touch’
During a campaign appearance, GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney said that until he became involved in government services he didn’t completely understand the differences between Medicare and Medicaid. Meanwhile, the aggressive ads being run in Iowa by another candidate, Ron Paul, may be making an impact.
