Latest KFF Health News Stories
Social Determinants Of Health Conference Releases Final Declaration
The final document of the World Conference on Social Determinants of Health, which concluded last week in Rio de Janeiro, “calls for better governance for health and development, with transparent decision-making and social participation,” and “[g]overnments are urged to develop policies and measure progress towards defined goals,” Inter Press Service reports.
Some State Safety Nets For Disabled Are Fraying; Ohio Referendum Looms
Health care news from Georgia, Ohio, California, Wisconsin, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts and Texas.
Sustained ‘Vigilance And Money’ Necessary To Fight Malaria
With the RTS,S malaria vaccine trial results showing “moderate” success, helping to reignite “optimism about eradicating malaria entirely,” “there are other big hurdles still to surmount,” a New York Times editorial states. “There are hints that the protection may wane over time and results from administering a booster shot won’t be known until 2014,” and side effects could be a concern, the editorial writes.
Opinion Pieces Address World Polio Day
Though the number of new polio cases has dropped by 99 percent over the past 20 years, World Polio Day is recognized “because we haven’t done enough yet,” Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, writes in his blog, “The Gates Notes.” He continues, “The last one percent is the hardest percent, and we have to do even more than we’ve already done if we hope to finish the job on polio. The day the world is declared polio free is the day we can really begin celebrating” (10/21).
Study Finds Measuring Quality Does Improve Care
The Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality founding that tracking quality of care does indeed impact physician efforts to provide high quality of care.
Exploring Palliative Care’s Positives And Negatives
The Los Angeles Times looks at various issues surrounding palliative care.
Modern Healthcare reports that this aspect of the concierge medicine trend is holding up well despite the economy.
VA Reviewing Millions Spent Outside The Agency On Care In Phoenix
The Arizona Republic reports that the Veterans Administration is looking into spending after noting that the system had surpassed its budget for community fee care.
Some States Limit Medicaid Hospital Coverage
States, facing budget shortfalls, look for ways to save money on their Medicaid programs, including limiting hospital stays for enrollees. Wisconsin is holding hearings on plans to alter the programs there, and California is looking at restructuring the way health care is delivered to people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. Meanwhile, Stateline reports that a number of states are using new technology to run their benefits programs.
Wal-Mart Increases Premium Costs, Cuts Benefits
Costs for this employer’s most popular health coverage plan will increase to about $15 per two-week pay period. It’s current cost is $11 per pay period.
Earlier Medicare Enrollment Period Brings New Round Of Ads
Open enrollment periods for health plans also focus the spotlight on how health coverage is likely to change in 2014 when key elements of the health law take effect.
Viewpoints: Health Law Curbs Savings From OTC Meds; Calif. Wrestles With Managing Medical Marijuana
A selection of opinions on health policy from around the country.
Romney’s Next Health Policy Challenge: Medical Help For Illegal Immigrants
A new issue from the Massachusetts health law has surfaced and is now haunting GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney. Meanwhile, other candidates – specifically Rick Perry and Herman Cain – take on abortion issues and positions.
House To Consider Bill To Scale Back Health Law’s Medicaid Expansion
In other Medicaid news, AIDS experts worry that the current model of HIV/AIDS care could be put at risk by fiscal pressures and the changes that will occur as a result of the health law.
Though Declared Over, CLASS Act Still Draws Attention
A group of House and Senate Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius last week reiterating earlier criticisms of the long-term care insurance program and noting that ending the program did not completely address their concerns.
First Edition: October 24, 2011
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including speculation about how the Supreme Court might review the health law and what’s happening with the super committee.
Vets, Medicare Beneficiaries Worry About Future Health Coverage
News outlets covered protests of seniors and concern by veterans’ groups about possible increases in costs for their health insurance.
Health Care Providers Approve Of ACO Rule Revisions
Some insurers and employers complained, however, that the changes will increase the chances that providers will consolidate, which could reduce competition and drive up costs.
Eighth Circuit Hears Health Law Arguments
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Thursday regarding whether a health law legal challenge brought by two Missouri residents should be revived.
