Articles tagged with Biomedical Policy
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that non-white Americans and those with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to have severe strokes, long-term disability, and shorter life expectancy compared to their white counterparts. The study suggests that hospitals may be disincentivized to tre...
Economists Ed Timmons and Conor Norris suggest reforms such as shorter medical school pathways, expanded physician assistant and nurse practitioner independence, and federal regulation of telemedicine to alleviate the healthcare industry's stress in light of COVID-19. These proposals aim to address staffing shortages, improve access to...
Prices paid to anesthesia practitioners increased by 16.5% in facilities that contracted with a PMC versus non-PMC facilities, and by 19% when facilities contracted with a PMC without PE investment. PE-backed PMCs commanded higher prices, possibly due to market share and negotiating expertise.
A European-wide review of community pharmacy interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic found 31 pharmacy interventions across 32 European countries. These interventions included prevention, response, and recovery measures, as well as improved access to medicines, rapid antigen testing, and COVID-19 vaccination.
Researchers assessed hospital policies to address sexual harassment of physicians by patients, highlighting inconsistencies and areas for improvement. The study aims to inform evidence-based practices to create a safer healthcare environment.
A study of 35 low- and middle-income countries found that less than one-third of individuals with high cholesterol received treatment. This highlights the inadequate care for hypercholesterolemia in these regions, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
New research from UvA's Law Centre for Health and Life found EU policies influencing access to medicines in developing countries without always intending it. This has significant implications for the EU's own health systems, security, and stability.
Research by James Krause and his team has shown that people with spinal cord injuries who develop resilience tend to have better health outcomes and live longer. This resilience allows them to adapt and thrive in the face of difficult circumstances, including neuropathic pain and feelings of isolation.
Researchers from UTHealth and Baylor College of Medicine recommend that EHR developers annually assess their products to ensure safety recommendations are met. The authors suggest three strategies to complement the new CMS rules, aiming to distribute responsibility for safety improvements evenly between designers, developers, and users.
A study found that over 50 US localities allow indoor cannabis smoking lounges, exposing customers and employees to secondhand cannabis smoke. Most laws do not require smoke-free environments or effective ventilation, putting public health at risk.
Researchers found that states have implemented new autism-specific Medicaid programs, with the most common type being the 1915(c) waiver authority, providing home and community-based services. The study suggests that further replication of successful efforts is needed to improve access to services for individuals on the autism spectrum.
A recent study found that more Americans with opioid use disorder are receiving evidence-based treatment. However, significant gaps in care remain along racial lines, highlighting the need for policymakers and medical providers to address these disparities.
Researchers estimated the extent of Medicare Part B medical services subject to private insurer prior authorization under coverage policies. The study found that these restrictions would have resulted in significant spending savings, affecting healthcare delivery and policy.
A new study found that California school nutrition policies had varying impacts on childhood obesity among children of different ethnicities. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was higher among PI, FI, and AIAN children compared to White students. After implementing the policies, the overweight/obesity rates decreased for almost all ...
A new analysis by the West Health Policy Center estimates that the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3) could result in hundreds of billions of dollars in lower commercial health insurance costs by 2030, primarily due to a $195 billion reduction in employer costs and $98 billion in savings for workers.
Several organizations producing clinical practice guidelines have insufficient conflict-of-interest policies, which can compromise the validity and reliability of these guidelines. These findings highlight the need for improved governance and oversight to ensure the integrity of clinical practice guidelines.
The article reviews COVID-19 editorials, discussing epidemiological and clinical dimensions of the pandemic. Experts question US vaccination priorities, suggesting a focus on over-65 population could spare more lives globally.
Addressing gender inequity requires a multi-pronged approach, including embedding equity principles in policies, communicating gender statistics, and championing structural change. Implementing flexible schedules, non-gendered parental leave, and career support will help realize equity in pay and opportunities for all.
The CHEST conference explores current issues in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine, including healthcare disparities and coding updates. Interactive presentations will be delivered through expert panel discussions, roundtable discussions, and didactic lectures.
A study found that reimbursing hospitals for postpartum contraception increased the use of long-acting reversible methods among adolescents and young adults. The policy change in South Carolina led to a significant increase in the use of immediate postpartum LARCs, with rates nearly quadrupling in two and a half years.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) has updated its practice points on the use of remdesivir in treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The new guidelines aim to target patients who are most likely to benefit from treatment, recommending a duration of treatment based on symptom duration and disease severity. According to the upda...
A new study finds that Medicare beneficiaries are skipping medications due to high costs, leading to premature deaths and worsening health conditions. The study estimates 112,000 premature deaths annually if current pricing trends continue, but predicts 94,000 fewer deaths with direct negotiation of drug prices.
A Canadian study investigated factors influencing medical abortion services among health professionals. Four barriers were identified: initial federal restrictions, bureaucratic processes, dissemination of policy information, and adoption by physicians as a process rather than an event.
The ESMO Virtual Congress 2020 will feature a virtual meeting between 19-21 September, including access to scientific programme, e-poster area, and industry satellite symposia. Accredited journalists can also access congress webcasts for re-watching presentations.
Researchers found that state-level opioid-reduction policies led to a decrease in opioid poisonings among children and teens. The study suggests that targeted policy interventions can help mitigate the devastating impact of the opioid crisis on young people.
The TCIHM COVID-19 Support Registry will characterize care, report indications of potential value or harm, and inform future treatments. Led by the Helfgott Research Institute, the registry is backed by over a dozen practitioner organizations and aims to provide valuable insights into integrative health practices during the pandemic.
Researchers Rebecca Sutter and Allison Evans Cuellar are implementing a Mobile Medication Assisted Therapy Program in Prince William Health District to support opioid use disorder treatment. The program, which began in December 2019, is staffed with a nurse practitioner, social worker, and pharmacist, and aims to provide seamless care ...
A new Boston University School of Public Health study found that two million more Americans avoided health care because of inability to pay or lack of insurance at the end of 2017 compared to 2016. The reversal was particularly pronounced in non-expansion states, where low-income residents were hardest hit.
A new Tulane University study published in JAMA Network Open found that black and Hispanic patients are more likely to be offered appointments but asked about insurance status, and receive appointments further in the future. This bias in scheduling systems can lead to longer wait times and worse health outcomes for these groups.
The use of peritoneal dialysis increased significantly among US patients with kidney failure following a Medicare payment policy implemented in 2011. More patients initiated dialysis with peritoneal dialysis and switched from hemodialysis to peritoneal dialysis, indicating a positive impact on an underutilized form of dialysis.
A new study at U-M found that the addition of IVF coverage to health insurance plans increased the rate of IVF among university employees, with a nine-fold increase in the lowest-salary bracket. The benefit led to greater equity in fertility rates across income groups.
A new UCSF study examines the use of medical, behavioral, and social services among frequent ED users, revealing their complex social needs and the need for care coordination. The researchers found that these patients are generally sicker than infrequent ED users and seek a wide range of services.
Polyamorous families experience marginalization in healthcare, with participants suggesting providers acknowledge partners' presence and roles, be open and nonjudgmental, and adapt administrative forms. The study's findings align with recent reports on stigma faced by individuals engaging in consensual nonmonogamy.
Dr. Andreas Laupacis, a renowned medical leader and researcher, has been appointed as the new editor-in-chief of CMAJ. He aims to increase research impact, enhance health policy voice, and promote medical knowledge.
A new paper highlights individual and systemic challenges faced by early-career female family physicians, including implicit bias, burnout, and unequal pay. The authors call for practical strategies such as training, flexible scheduling, and comprehensive leave policies to support female physicians and promote gender equity.
This Special Focus Issue on Innovation in Group-Delivered Services explores various applications of group medical visits for chronic diseases, including mindfulness, meditation, and yoga. The issue highlights the potential of group visits to address unmet needs of underserved patients and promote integrative health equity.
A new study found increased CT use for suspected urolithiasis patients in emergency departments, with utilization rates increasing by 100.8% between 2006 and 2014. Geographic variation was also noted, with CT scans being more frequent in higher-income ZIP codes and urban hospitals.
The American College of Physicians has released a new paper outlining its methods for developing high-quality, evidence-based clinical policy papers. The methodology ensures that recommendations are based on the best available scientific evidence, considering clinical benefits, harms, costs, and patient values. ACP's approach includes ...
A new policy expanding lung transplant boundaries has led to increased costs due to longer travel distances, resulting in reduced organ availability for local donors. The study found that patients at smaller transplant programs are disadvantaged by the policy, particularly those in economically disadvantaged areas.
National IVC filter utilization declined by 36.3% in the Medicare population between 2009 and 2015, with varying rates across states. The privately insured population saw a 26.6% decline in IVC filter utilization over the same period.
Researchers discovered that current health care proposals have been circulating in various forms since the 1940s. Key findings include the roots of Medicare for All dating back to the 1948 Wagner-Murray-Dingell national health insurance bill and the 1971 single-payer plan proposed by Sen. Ted Kennedy.
A new study found e-cigarettes to be more effective than nicotine-replacement therapy in quitting smoking, with a one-year abstinence rate of 18% compared to 9.9% for NRT. However, health experts caution against recommending e-cigarettes as a primary treatment due to unknown health risks and long-term use concerns.
A new study finds striking inconsistency in parental leave policies at top residency programs, highlighting the need for balance between medical training and personal/family needs. The average maternity leave was 6.6 weeks, with paid leave policies averaging only 3.9 weeks for same-sex couples or adoptive parents.
Retailers have unique advantages in accessing consumer data, while current policies struggle to guide the industry on telehealth and AI capabilities. Experts warn of potential convergence of personal and non-personal health information.
Researchers found that half of the Spanish-speaking women did not receive letters in their native language, leading to confusion and misinterpretation of key messages. The study highlights the importance of culturally sensitive communication and timely follow-up for women with dense breasts.
The American Geriatrics Society strongly opposes a proposed change to Medicare payment rates for Evaluation and Management services, which could negatively impact patient care for people with complex needs. The AGS urges CMS to withdraw the proposals and work with stakeholders on more effective solutions.
A new study published in Preventive Medicine found that annual wellness visits significantly increase the delivery of preventive services among the elderly population. The research revealed that participants with an AWV were more likely to undergo screenings for prostate cancer, influenza vaccine, and other recommended services.
Dual-eligible beneficiaries experience high rates of chronic illness and have lower average annual spending growth compared to other Medicare beneficiaries, especially in younger age groups.
A new study found that VA healthcare utilization is influenced by external factors like unemployment, Medicaid eligibility, and housing costs. The study used VA data to analyze the impact of these factors on healthcare use among over 8 million Veterans between 2008-2014.
The study found a significant increase in secondary imaging interpretations across various modalities and body regions, driven by high-volume service families. Denial rates for these services were uniformly low, below 25%, contradicting conventional wisdom.
A new study estimates that 92% of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older use eyeglasses for distance or near vision correction. Researchers found sociodemographic differences between those who used eyeglasses, shedding light on potential implications of policy changes regarding eyeglass coverage.
IVC filter placement and retrieval procedures declined over the last decade, with a notable shift towards radiologists and cardiologists performing placements in hospital outpatient settings. Retrieval rates increased but remained less than 15% across all specialties.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that Medicaid work requirements and health savings accounts can lead to confusing beneficiaries, dissuade some from enrolling, and create cost-related barriers to care. The study also revealed significant differences in health insurance coverage rates between states with ...
A new study found that after the Affordable Care Act's expansion, Medicaid and uninsured patients had improved access to health services outside of emergency departments, leading to a decline in frequent ED use. Frequent ED users were responsible for 30.7% of visits before the legislation and 31.6% after coverage was expanded.
A new study from Boston Medical Center and Boston University found that stronger alcohol policies significantly reduce the likelihood of alcohol-related car crashes, resulting in lower death rates. The research indicates that comprehensive policy approaches are needed nationwide to address this critical public health concern.
Two commentaries in JACM question whether colonial models devalue traditional and complementary practices. Researchers Heather Boon and Nadine Ijaz argue that biomedical dominance subordinates indigenous knowledge systems, while Editor-in-Chief John Weeks emphasizes the need for re-examining harmful limits of biomedicine's approach.
Without protections, 'personal responsibility' policies may lead to increased health risks and financial harm among low-income individuals with chronic conditions. Experts propose basic safeguards, including continuous evaluation, protection from disproportionate penalties, and monitoring of health outcomes.
The US spends significantly more on healthcare than European countries due to high-price-high-volume surgical procedures, administrative bloat, and excessive medical imaging. Policymakers should target these drivers of excess spending to reduce the gap.
The Osher Collaborative for Integrative Medicine has launched a new quarterly column in JACM, discussing strategies to advance health justice through integrative medicine principles. The inaugural column highlights the need to address bias and discrimination in intrapersonal attitudes and behaviors.
A new study found that an intensive 6-day Ayurveda-based mind-body program increased self-awareness and related health benefits. The program was compared to a control group, showing significant increases in neti values at both immediate completion and the 1-month follow-up.