Latest KFF Health News Stories
State Roundup: Calif. Psych Workers Seek More Security
News outlets report on a variety of state health policy issues.
California Lawmakers Advance Effort To Review Premium Increases
Bill wins support of key committee. Meanwhile, Politico reports that the federal government will likely review rate increases in 10 states.
India Will Continue To Produce Generic HIV Drugs, Commerce And Industry Minister Says
“India will not compromise on drug licensing norms and [will] continue to produce generic drugs for free treatment to HIV-positive patients, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said” on Wednesday, the IANS/Times of India reports.
Federal Appeals Court Rules Government Cannot Force Health Groups To Take Anti-Prostitution Pledge
“A federal appeals court has ruled that the United States cannot force partners in its international fight against AIDS to denounce prostitution as a condition for receiving funding,” the Associated Press reports. Three health organizations sued the government in 2005, saying some groups “advocate for a reduction in penalties for prostitution to prevent interference with outreach efforts,” according to the news agency (7/6).
UNHCR Says African Drought Threatens ‘Human Tragedy Of Unimaginable Proportions’
High rates of malnutrition in the Horn of Africa, combined with violence in Somali, “are threatening ‘a human tragedy of unimaginable proportions,’ the UNHCR warned” on Wednesday, the AFP/Daily Telegraph/Vancouver Sun reports. More than 12 million people in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti and Uganda have been hit by severe drought and rising food prices, forcing thousands to leave their homes and seek assistance in already-overflowing refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya, the newspaper notes (Flood, 7/7).
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about signs of progress in the debt-reduction talks and details of a new study that finds Medicaid makes a big difference in people’s lives.
Antibiotic Resistance Is Not A Priority In The U.S.
Author and journalist Maryn McKenna in her “Superbug” blog on Wired.com examines U.S. spending on drug-resistant pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). She examines data presented by Eli Perencevich of the University of Iowa and colleagues at the World HAI Forum, which looked at how much of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases’ budget went to the problem of drug-resistant diseases versus other infectious diseases. “They found the answer to be: Not very much,” she writes.
Obama Calls GOP And Dem Leaders To White House For Deficit Talks
As negotiations continue to heat up, health interests are also gearing up to protect against deep cuts and advance their positions.
Some States Slow In Implementing Health Insurance Exchanges
The Hill reports that the delays taking place in many states could put their legislatures at risk of handing over this aspect of the health overhaul to the federal government. Meanwhile, in a pair of articles, Politico revisits key political messages of the reform debate – “repeal and replace” as well as “death panels.” Finally, other news outlets report on the role some noteworthy people could have on the measure’s future: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services chief Donald Berwick and Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan.
EU To Provide $14.5M For Emergency Food Aid To North Korea
“Responding to the growing threat of a humanitarian crisis in North Korea, the European Union announced on Monday that it will provide about $14.5 million in emergency aid to feed more than some 650,000 North Koreans,” the New York Times reports (Castle/McDonald, 7/4).
Study Finds Heart Stents Often Overused
The research, which appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association, finds overuse is prevalent regarding this invasive treatment, which tallies an estimated $12 billion a year in health care costs.
With Minn. Budget Talks Stalled, Social Services Make Funding Plea
A state district court has ordered programs essential to life, health and public safety to continue during the shutdown. A judge is now holding hearings and will make recommendations about which programs fall into this category.
Connecticut First State To Require Paid Sick Time
The measure, which was signed into law Tuesday by the governor, will benefit — say its backers — between 200,000 and 300,000 workers. Its opponents argue the requirement will make the state less competitive. In related news, Denver voters could consider a similar measure on the November ballot.
Medicare Coverage, Pricey Cancer Drugs And The ‘Rationing’ Issue
PBS Newshour reports on how the decision from Medicare officials to cover certain cancer drugs highlights the complexity involved in this debate.
Efforts To Reduce Medicaid Costs Leave Docs, Hospitals Feeling Pinch
In an effort to contain health care costs, dozens of states are reducing Medicaid payments to doctors and hospitals. A report from a University of Kansas researcher, however, finds a “glaring need” for more preventive services and patient education and argues these steps are ways to control Medicaid spending.
Medicare Could Owe Billions To State Medicaid Programs
Governors are pushing the Department of Health and Human Services to reimburse their states money that was spent on providing health care services to people with disabilities who were mistakenly denied Medicare benefits. The error is attributed to the Social Security Administration and cost state Medicaid programs an estimated $4 billion.
Viewpoints: Preserving Medicaid; Drug Risks, Headlines; Health Law Flaw
A selection of opinions and editorials from around America.
State Roundup: Health Officials In Calif. Draw High Pay
News outlets examine a variety of state health policy issues.
Rate Review Issue Faces Key Vote In Calif.; Veto In Conn.
Meanwhile, some experts are questioning whether states can effectively control premium increases.
