Latest KFF Health News Stories
Patient Quality, Care Coordination Programs Surface In California
In California, a heart failure program is reducing hospital readmissions while researchers and insurers are trying to create better care coordination for 26,000 public employees.
African Giant Pouched Rat May Be More Effective Than Humans At Detecting TB
The Wall Street Journal examines the use of the African giant pouched rat to detect tuberculosis (TB) in lab samples. A study published online in the Pan African Medical Journal last month found the rats are “better than human lab techs at identifying TB bacteria in a dollop of mucus,” a finding that “holds promise for diagnosing tuberculosis in sub-Saharan Africa,” according to the newspaper. While “[t]he rats turn up many false-positive findings of TB, so the results need to be confirmed by conventional lab methods, … [a] rat takes seven minutes to work through the same number of samples as a lab technician would assess in a full day,” according to the researchers, the newspaper reports. The rats are being trained in Tanzania by the non-governmental organization Apopo, which “primarily trains African giant pouched rats to sniff land mines for de-mining activities in Mozambique, Thailand and other countries,” the Wall Street Journal notes (Robinson (9/6).
President’s Tough Tasks Before Election: Deficit Plan, Sell Health Reform
President Obama will be crafting his own deficit-reduction plan and will also shape an election strategy for the health law.
‘No Evidence’ Mutant Bird Flu Virus Poses Increased Risk To Humans, WHO And FAO Say
After the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) “last week voiced concern about the appearance in Vietnam and China of” a mutant strain of the H5N1 avian flu virus, the WHO and FAO on Monday “said in a joint statement issued in response to questions from Agence France-Presse” that “[t]here is no evidence to suggest yet that this new virus strain will have any increased risk to human health,” the news agency reports. “‘Nevertheless, poultry producers and the general public should always take simple precautions to reduce exposure to the virus from infected poultry,’ it said,” the news agency writes, noting the “H5N1 virus typically spreads from birds to humans via direct contact” (9/5).
At GOP Presidential Candidate Forum, Focus Is On Romney And Health Reform
At a forum in South Carolina Monday, five GOP presidential candidates debated health care reform, among other issues.
U.N. Declares Famine In Sixth Region Of Somalia, Expresses Concern Over Spread Of Disease
The U.N. “announced Monday that Somalia’s famine had spread to a sixth area within the country, with officials warning that 750,000 people could die in the next few months unless aid efforts were scaled up,” the New York Times reports (Gettleman/Kyama, 9/5).
Settlement In UT Southwestern/Parkland Billing Fraud; CMS Postpones Final Parkland Ruling
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas pays settlement in Medicare and Medicaid billing fraud investigation. Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services says it will wait for state investigation before ruling continued on Medicare funding for Parkland.
More Than 2M People In Pakistani Province Of Sindh Affected By Flooding From Monsoon Rains
“Pakistan’s southern province of Sindh is facing disaster once more with heavy rains over the past five days, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA),” with at least 85 people reported dead and more than two million people affected, IRIN reports (9/5). Sharjeel Memon, Sindh’s information minister, said mobile health teams carrying malaria vaccinations and food aid have been sent to the affected districts, according to Bloomberg. “Pakistan suffered its deadliest floods last year, in which 1,800 people were killed and an area the size of Italy was devastated,” the news agency notes (Anis, 9/5).
Number Of Malaria Cases In Brazilian Amazon Drop 31% In First Half Of Year Compared With 2010
Brazil’s health ministry on Monday said 115,708 malaria cases had been reported in the first half of this year in the Brazilian Amazon, down 31 percent compared with the same period in 2010, the Latin American Herald Tribune reports. “‘The positive figures are the result of comprehensive action, which includes stepping up the routines for early diagnosis and the opportune treatment of patients,’ Health Minister Alexandre Padilha said,” the newspaper writes.
News outlets report on health insurance issues in the states.
Dwindling Donor Funding In Burundi Leads To National Shortage Of ARVs
“Burundian NGOs say at least 20 people have died” as a result of a “months-long shortage” of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), although “Ministry of Health officials could not be reached to confirm the number of people affected,” PlusNews reports. “More than 60,000 Burundians need HIV treatment, but only about 25,000 have access to ARVs,” according to the news agency, which adds, “The shortage has been blamed on dwindling donor funds and a disorganized health ministry.”
A summary of opinions and editorials from around the country.
More Medical Students Seeking MBAs; Paramedics Providing Primary Care Services
Several news outlets look at different aspects of physician training.
Rep. Berkley’s Efforts On Kidney Program Questioned
Nevada Democrat helped get federal regulators to back down from efforts to shut down a transplant program linked to her husband.
Abortion-Rights Supporters Looking To Courts For Help
Federal courts have been hesitant so far to support moves in a number of states by GOP officials to restrict abortion options. Last Friday, a judge in South Dakota said that while the state may require doctors to tell women about their legal relationship with the fetus, they do not have to tell women that an abortion increases their risk of suicide.
Business Leaders Concerned About Economic Impact Of Health Law
With the economy stalling, Republicans and industry officials are skeptical of the health overhaul.
‘Super Committee’ Scrutiny Of Medicare, Other Entitlements Expected To Be Very Tough
This week Congress begins new deficit-reduction talks and also has less than a month to finish spending bills or risk a government shutdown.
First Edition: September 6, 2011
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations include reports from a GOP presidential candidate forum in South Carolina and analysis of what to expect as Congress returns to Washington.
Romney Faces Tea Party Critics, Especially On Health Care
Former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney is courting the tea party, whose members disagree with the individual mandate to buy health insurance.
For Perry, Romney And Huntsman, Health Care Records Highlight Differences
News outlets report that, to win over tea party supporters and other Republican voters, candidates are emphasizing their opposition to the federal health law but their records on health care vary.
