Latest KFF Health News Stories
Software Uses Twitter To Track Dengue Outbreaks In Brazil
The New Scientist reports on a software program that is being used “to identify a high correlation between the time and place where people tweet they have dengue and the official statistics for where the disease appears each season.”
Debt-Ceiling Activity Moves On Multiple Tracks
The House GOP’s “cut, cap and balance” plan, which will likely come up for a vote this week, could lead to deep cuts in Medicare and other federal safety net programs.
Efforts Underway To Fix Health Law Glitch
Two separate bills have been introduced to address this health law issue, which inadvertently would make 3 million middle-income early retirees eligible for Medicaid because Social Security benefits would not be factored into their income. The fix could save $13 billion. But it’s not clear if either measure will move forward.
GlobalPost Examines GHI Implementation In Guatemala
GlobalPost examines the prevalence of chronic malnutrition in Guatemala, which is one of the countries targeted by the Obama administration’s Global Health Initiative (GHI). It also looks at how the GHI is being implemented in that country.
A selection of opinions and editorials from around the country.
Papua New Guinea Government Stepping Down As Global Fund Grant Principal Recipient
Following an audit last year by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria that found Papua New Guinea’s National Department of Health (NDOH) “had not complied with grant guidelines and some $7 million had been misdirected,” the government is stepping down as the principal recipient (PR) of Global Fund grants in order to “improve its response,” IRIN reports.
State Roundup: Maine, Minn. GOP Want Insurance Changes
News outlets report on a variety of state health policy issues.
IOM To Issue Report On Preventive Health Care Services For Women
NPR reports that contraception is one area within the report that is drawing a lot of attention.
AP: Boomers Are More Obese Than Other Generations
Although the polls indicate baby boomers are most considered about cancer and memory loss, heart disease and diabetes should be high on their list, too. Also, because of this group’s weight problems, they are setting themselves up for unhealthy golden years.
IAS Conference Opens With Push For Treatment As Prevention
The 6th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention taking place in Rome this week “started optimistically as the hype surrounding the use of antiretroviral treatment to prevent HIV infection gained momentum. But the focus of much discussion
Groups Up Ante In Effort To End Racial And Ethnic Disparities
Modern Healthcare reports that five major health care organizations have issued a national call for action to address the problem.
Medicare Bundled-Payments Rules Expected Before 2013 Deadline
A CMS official said the release of these health law regulations are being accelerated and will, at least initially, focus on acute- and post-acute care.
CMS Releases Proposed Rule For Health Insurance Co-Ops
Even though considerable doubts surround the survival prospects of these co-ops, they are envisioned as a means to give consumers better value than existing insurance companies. Start-up loans will be available to co-ops that have good odds of becoming financially viable.
Curiosity Emerges Regarding Federal Fallback For Health Exchanges
Politico reports that some experts are beginning to question what level strength the federal health exchange will have.
Ban Says U.N.’s Top Priority Is Sustainable Development
During a speech to the World Trade Organization on Tuesday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon laid out his vision for his next term, telling “trade officials and diplomats that ‘the United Nations’ top priority for this year and many years beyond will have to be sustainable development’
PBS Newshour Series Examines Health Challenges In Indonesia
PBS Newshour’s global health unit on Monday began a four-part series examining major health challenges in Indonesia, which “sheds light on the diverse nation’s changing political landscape, deplorable conditions for people there with severe mental illness, the effect of rising food prices and research into a plant that could be used as a male contraceptive,” the Newshour’s “The Rundown” blog states. The blog links to other video, photo and written reports from the team, including a piece on an Indonesian law that encourages breastfeeding (Miller, 7/14).
New Sting Video Targets Ohio Medicaid Offices
In the video, two men posing as Russian drug dealers get advice from Medicaid office workers.
