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H1N1 vaccine to be available in U.S. earlier than anticipated

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said on Sunday that the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine will be available in the U.S. earlier than previously anticipated, the Wall Street Journal reports. "We are on track to have an ample supply rolling out by mid-October, but we may have some early vaccine as early as the first full week in October. And we plan to get the vaccine rolling out the door as fast as it hits the production line," Sebelius said (Davis, 9/13).

14 Sep 2009

On '60 Minutes,' Obama says he is responsible for health legislation: 'I own it'

President Barack Obama Sunday night in an appearance on CBS' 60 Minutes said that some Republicans just want to "kill" health care reform and that he'll "own" the bill when it passes.

14 Sep 2009

Boston University launches $10M, 5-year Global Health Center

Boston University (BU) on Monday launched a five-year, $10 million global health initiative that aims to "bolster research and education" and "build a nationwide consortium of universities devoted to improving health in the Third World," the Boston Globe reports.

14 Sep 2009

Baucus plans last attempt at bipartisan bill, Dems acknowledge moderates' key role

This week is crucial for Sen. Max Baucus, who is trying to win bipartisan support from his Senate Finance Committee negotiators. If not, he is likely to join a Democrat-only effort to reform the health care system.

14 Sep 2009

Report urges world leaders to expand access to free health care in developing countries

A new report from Oxfam and 62 other non-governmental organizations and health groups finds that international goals aiming to reduce child and maternal mortality rates are "desperately off track," with four million babies around the world dying annually within 28 days of birth, Agence France-Press reports (9/13).

14 Sep 2009

Also in global health news: Polio in Afghanistan; Goosby interview; water shortages in Mexico City; clean water device

Agence France-Presse examines the re-emergence of polio in Afghanistan, which is one of four countries where the disease is endemic. According to AFP, "Health care, or the lack of it, is one of many problems facing Afghanistan, eight years after a war to topple the extremist Taliban regime and the arrival of billions of dollars in international aid." Although UNICEF recently launched a three-day immunization campaign in the country, the "ongoing Taliban insurgency, virulent in the south -- Helmand, Uruzgan and Kandahar provinces in particular -- has meant many children are not being reached," AFP writes (O'Donnell, 9/14).

14 Sep 2009

Republicans: Malpractice reform demonstration projects insufficient

The Associated Press: "In his Wednesday speech and again in (a CBS "60 Minutes" interview), the president signaled he was open to so-called tort reform. Under current practice, doctors and hospitals must pay huge amounts to insure themselves against malpractice lawsuits by patients seeking large court-ordered settlements for poor treatment. … 'I would be willing to ... consider any ideas out there that would actually work in terms of reducing costs, improving the quality of patient care,' Obama said in the Sunday interview, which was taped Friday" (Hurst, 9/14).

14 Sep 2009

Washington Post examines HIV/AIDS rights, responsibilities questions

The Washington Post examines how African countries are "grappling with debates over what rights and duties to give those living with [HIV/AIDS] -- a growing segment of the population that remains largely hidden." The newspaper writes: "Across the continent, lawmakers are considering whether to make criminals of those who infect others with HIV, allow bosses to test workers for the virus, punish women who pass it to their babies and give constitutional protections to those with HIV."

14 Sep 2009

Much of the focus now turns to the conservative Blue Dog Democrats

In his address to Congress on health care last week, President Obama attempted to reassure Blue Dog Democrats, such as Georgia Reps. Jim Marshall and Sanford Bishop, that the plan would not be too expensive or intrusive for their conservative constituencies, the Columbus, Ga., Ledger-Enquirer reports.

14 Sep 2009

States face growing health costs, dwindling budgets

As states wrestle with shortfalls in health care funding, many are hoping to brace with budget cuts, while others focus on changes that keep costs down over the long term.

14 Sep 2009

A selection of opinions and editorials

Health Care: Now, It's War NPR What emerges from this year's historic debate will now be a distinctly Democratic bill opposed by virtually every Republican in both the House and the Senate. It will pass or fail depending entirely on Democratic leaders' ability to rally their own troops in support (Ron Elving, 9/11).

14 Sep 2009

Poll: Opposition to reform still high but easing

A new ABC News-Washington Post poll found that 48 percent of Americans approve of Obama's handling of health care. "Bottom-line views on health care reform have stabilized but failed to improve since President Obama addressed the nation, leaving him with a continued challenge in selling his plan to a public that remains skeptical about its benefits and costs alike," ABC News reports.

14 Sep 2009

Lobbyists ramp up efforts to shape health care reform

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch/New York Times reports: "Top lobbyists for every major sector of the health care industry publicly insist they are squarely behind the health care reform effort of President Barack Obama's administration.

14 Sep 2009

E-Health a forerunner of a health overhaul

CBS News reported on its program "Sunday Morning" that "what you may not know is that Congress has already approved and funded one program: the plan to computerize your medical records."

14 Sep 2009

Nonprofits seek financial relief in health legislation

The New York Times reports: "Nonprofit organizations say they are upset that Congress and the Obama administration have not addressed their rising health care costs in the various health care proposals being floated on Capitol Hill. The main bill in the House would award a tax credit to small businesses that provide their employees with health insurance — but nonprofits do not pay income taxes and thus would not benefit."

14 Sep 2009

Comparative effectiveness research may save money, but remains controversial

The Louisville Courier-Journal reports: "Democrats' plans for health care reform would try to provide answers with more studies on which drugs, medical devices and procedures work best for different patients. But while the goal of more 'comparative effectiveness' research may sound simple, getting there may be a challenge."

14 Sep 2009

'Tea Party' demonstrators march on Washington, protesting health care, taxes, government spending

The Associated Press: "Tens of thousands of protesters fed up with government spending marched to the U.S. Capitol on Saturday, showing their disdain for the president's health care plan with slogans such as 'Obamacare makes me sick' and 'I'm not your ATM.'

14 Sep 2009