Articles tagged with Health Care Policy
A single-payer health care plan in New York could expand coverage for all residents without increasing overall spending, according to a RAND Corporation analysis. The plan would require substantial new tax revenue and shift financing among households and businesses, with the highest-income households paying substantially more.
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.
Experts warn that a proposed Trump gag rule will limit federal funding for abortion counselling and provision, posing a threat to women's basic rights. The rule would prohibit clinics or programs receiving federal family planning funds from providing abortions, referring women to places that do, or counselling them on the option.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) has released a position paper calling for policies that better support women's health, including paid family and medical leave, reduced domestic violence, and access to reproductive services. A new prediction tool may also help tailor lung cancer screening to patient benefit and preferences.
The study found that Medicaid expansion was associated with a decline in ICU admission rates among patients with ambulatory-care sensitive conditions. Rates of uninsurance and Medicaid coverage increased significantly in expansion states, suggesting improved access to care.
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.
Researchers found that 7.4% of NYC legislation between 1998 and 2017 could impact cardiovascular health, with enacted bills reducing air pollution, promoting physical activity, healthy diets, and tobacco cessation. These policies led to a 35% decline in adult smoking prevalence.
The VA health care system performs similarly to or better than non-VA systems on most measures of inpatient and outpatient care quality, according to a new study. The findings suggest that the VA needs targeted quality improvement efforts to ensure uniform high-quality care at all facilities.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions has updated its consensus guidelines to allow for flexibility in length of stay after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), prioritizing patient-centered care. The new guidelines assess readiness for discharge along three lines: procedural, patient, and programmatic factors.
Two studies found no reductions in hospital use or spending linked to the global budget program, despite expected improvements in care. The program may still have saved money due to changes in hospital prices.
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.
A multi-institutional study found that mandatory flu vaccines for health care workers increase participation by up to 30% and reduce absenteeism during critical patient surges. Vaccinated health care workers had a 30% reduction in absenteeism compared to non-vaccinated workers.
Researchers with UAHS and ASU are studying the effect of two Medicaid enrollment freezes and subsequent expansions on healthcare utilization and expenditures among adults and children in Arizona. The study aims to inform policymakers about Medicaid funding and administration.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association calls for improved care for sepsis survivors, focusing on strategies to minimize physical disability and cognitive impairment. The recommended approach includes high-quality early sepsis care, post-discharge assessment and treatment, and screening for pre-exist...
A new study analyzing heart attack care and spending in America since the turn of the century shows increased survival rates and growing costs, with variation between hospitals on both scores. Early stenting treatment has been found to be cost-effective, particularly for high-volume hospitals.
A new study by New York University researchers reveals that people tend to overstate their negative feelings and symptoms in surveys, leading to potentially inaccurate assessments of health and well-being. The findings suggest that initial reports of distress may be overstated, causing biases in subsequent measurements.
A Harvard Medical School study found that a pay-for-performance program inadvertently shifted funds away from physicians treating sicker patients, exacerbating disparities in healthcare delivery. The program's design did not account for differences across patient populations, leading to no improvements in performance or care quality.
A new study suggests that despite the rise in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), most Americans who have them aren't pursuing consumer-like behaviors such as saving, shopping around, or discussing costs with healthcare providers. Key findings include low savings rates and limited engagement with providers.
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that ambulatory surgery centers performed 73% of cataract surgeries in 2014, up from 43.6% in 2001. The shift is driven by convenience, lower out-of-pocket costs, and decreased cost-per-case for insurers.
A Canadian alliance led by Dr. Andrea Tricco aims to strengthen the health-care system by providing patients with access to relevant scientific evidence. The alliance will answer at least 100 questions over a five-year period using knowledge synthesis and collaboration with researchers, clinicians, and policy-makers.
The Method for Introducing a New Competency in Genomics (MINC) website offers more than 100 resources to support nursing professionals in integrating genomics into patient care. The toolkit addresses the need for healthcare professionals to stay updated with changing healthcare environments.
A recent analysis found that nearly half of hospitals have shared ownership with providers in post-acute care or hospice sectors, up from 25 percent in 2005. This trend has significant implications for antitrust, payment, and regulatory policies, as well as the quality and cost of care.
A report suggests that behavioral science can be used to improve the quality and cost effectiveness of American healthcare by encouraging healthier lifestyles and insurance plan enrollment. The study proposes policy recommendations for employers, insurers, and policymakers to reduce costs and promote evidence-based treatments.
The American Geriatrics Society calls for bipartisan collaboration to improve the nation's healthcare system, focusing on expanded in-home care options and adequate resources for caregivers. Experts also emphasize the need for geriatricians' training and research on healthy aging and age-related health problems.
Two studies led by Harvard Medical School researchers found that few people actually use price shopping tools to choose lower-cost healthcare options, despite growing interest in the idea. The research suggests that consumerism may not be as effective as believed in driving down healthcare costs.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has helped close gaps in healthcare access between poor and higher-income households. In states that expanded Medicaid, the gap fell by 46%, while in non-expansion states, it declined by 23%. Despite gains, many low- and middle-income residents still lack coverage or avoid care due to cost.
A new USC-led study reveals that Medicare Advantage plans pay physicians similar prices to traditional Medicare, with most procedures seeing reimbursement rates near parity. The researchers also found that commercial insurance pays higher prices for many services.
A new national poll on healthy aging will release its first results on June 29, tracking key health issues for people between 50 and 80 years old. The poll aims to provide timely insight into current issues affecting older Americans, informing healthcare policy and clinical practice.
The chartbook highlights the prevalence of multiple chronic conditions among older adults and women, emphasizing treatment challenges for patients with co-occurring health issues. The data also underscores the significant burden of chronic illness on the healthcare system.
A study by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute found that 65% of parents supported age-based restrictions on indoor tanning for adolescents. Parents who perceived the harms of indoor tanning were more likely to support bans, highlighting the importance of public health efforts to reduce adolescents' use.
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that imposing copays on Medicare home health care does not reduce its usage, despite increased out-of-pocket costs for seniors. The researchers analyzed data from over 290,000 seniors and found no significant difference in home care usage between plans with and without copays.
A study by Michigan Medicine researchers found that 'visual abstract' graphics on Twitter can nearly triple the number of people who click the link in a tweet to read a full research paper. The study showed that tweets with visual abstracts were retweeted more than eight times as often and seen by nearly eight times as many people.
The US health system faces significant challenges, with high costs, persistent disparities, and the financial burden of chronic illness. Eight policy directions were identified as vital to improve health outcomes and increase efficiency, including four action priorities and four essential infrastructure needs.
The Trump administration's policy changes put women's access to effective contraception and abortion care at risk. Professor Daniel Grossman warns that the re-imposition of the Mexico City Policy and proposed legislation could severely limit access to reproductive healthcare services, particularly for low-income individuals.
The BMJ warns that Trump's administration may damage health by suppressing research and limiting communication on scientific topics deemed politically inconvenient. This could harm public health efforts globally.
Most US radiologists receive favorable satisfaction scores from their patients, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology. The study analyzed over 1,800 reviews and found that patients tend to have either strongly positive or strongly negative opinions about their radiologists.
A new study finds that Spanish-speaking and non-citizen Latino parents are half as likely to feel their doctor listens to them compared to English-speaking and U.S. citizen parents. The study highlights significant disparities in communication, particularly for children whose parents only speak Spanish or a mix of English and Spanish.
A University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing study finds that retail-based clinic growth is linked to scope-of-practice reform for nurse practitioners in states like Pennsylvania. The reform led to increased accessibility and convenience for patients, as nurse practitioners were able to provide a wider range of services
The American Geriatrics Society has emphasized the importance of strengthening clinical care and workforce development to support older Americans. The society outlines its vision for person-centered care, focusing on expanding healthcare options, ensuring quality in healthcare, and addressing geriatrician shortages.
A new study led by Harvard Medical School researchers found that an alternative payment model improved the quality of care for low-income patients, with significant gains observed in lower socioeconomic status areas. The program, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts' Alternative Quality Contract, pays providers a lump sum to cover a...
A government-backed policy to reduce salt intake by 10% over 10 years is projected to avert approximately 5.8 million disability-adjusted life years per year globally. The estimated average cost effectiveness ratio of the 10-year intervention is around $204 per DALY saved, comparable to many drugs used to prevent cardiovascular disease.
A study in Health Affairs explores Brazil's Estratégia de Saúde da Família program and its impact on mortality rates. The findings indicate that expanding primary healthcare can reduce mortality rates, but effective implementation depends on strong local governance.
Cardiologists must adapt to emerging payment models to improve value, according to a review by George Washington University researcher Steven Farmer. The review explores existing and emerging payment and delivery reforms that will affect cardiologists and their practices.
Prohibition laws on drugs have been shown to be ineffective in reducing addiction and violence, with a quarter of a billion adults worldwide taking illegal drugs. Doctors are calling for health and human rights to be prioritized over punitive responses.
A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health analysis found that Republican and Democratic voters have vastly different views on future health policy issues, influencing potential policy changes. The study suggests that party control will heavily impact future policies, including the Affordable Care Act.
Researchers will investigate the use and effectiveness of alternative methods of electronically sharing health information in primary care settings. The study aims to determine which approach, 'push' or 'pull', is more effective for providers and quantify its impact on potentially avoidable healthcare utilization.
A recent study by Jacob Neiheisel found that liberal branding can affect election outcomes, with stronger influence on down-ballot races. The researcher analyzed campaign ads and survey data from the 2004 US presidential election, revealing that name-calling has a role in shaping voters' attitudes towards candidates.
Copay assistance programs are a Band-Aid on the problem of high drug prices. Experts argue that these programs actually drive up healthcare costs and limit access to essential medications. To mitigate this impact, policymakers should redirect their focus towards innovation incentives, not just cost containment.
The Affordable Care Act has significantly reduced the number of uninsured individuals through expanded Medicaid and health insurance exchanges. Early evidence also suggests improvements in access to and affordability of healthcare, despite ongoing disparities by geography, race/ethnicity, and income.
In Kansas, healthcare consumer advocates pushed for moderation in Medicaid reform, securing modest wins despite facing limits. Their strategies reshaped the discourse on accountability and responsibility, informing mechanisms like public oversight committees.
A recent study in Health Affairs highlights critical primary care shortcomings in Latin American countries, including high rates of skipping needed care and emergency department usage. The findings emphasize the urgent need for attention to address these gaps as populations continue to age.
A study published in July Health Affairs found increased out-of-pocket expenditures among people aged fifty and older in eleven European countries between 2006-07 and 2013. The study revealed that those in lower income quintiles incurred less out-of-pocket expenditure compared to higher-income populations.
Out-of-pocket spending per hospitalization rose by 37%, driven by deductible and coinsurance increases, affecting treatment choices and access to care. Adults in individual-market plans faced the highest cost sharing.
A large-scale survey found that lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults report higher rates of severe psychological distress, heavy drinking, and smoking compared to heterosexuals. The study highlights the need for healthcare professionals and public health practitioners to address the unique health needs of this vulnerable population.
Fred Trotter, a healthcare journalist and author, has been awarded the Health Data Liberator award for his work in liberating health data. His efforts have led to the release of multiple datasets to help researchers, journalists, and companies provide data-backed healthcare solutions.
A study by Sebastian Salas-Vega and Elias Mossialos found a wide variation in the value of cancer drugs across 9 countries, with the US spending more than others but witnessing one of the smallest improvements in cancer-related mortality. The authors calculated a $32.6 billion net positive return from cancer drug care in the US in 2014.
A value-based insurance plan in Connecticut boosted employee use of targeted preventive services by 13.5 percentage points and reduced emergency room visits, leading to potential cost savings over time.
Nearly all states have taken a more-active role in immigration policy, but many lack comprehensive evaluation of costs and benefits. A new report from RAND Corporation suggests that state policymakers need better tools to assess the full impact of their policies.
The report emphasizes that patient harm is preventable with a systems-based approach, empowering patients and staff to take ownership of safety. The reports also suggest the need for standardized incident reporting methods and effective training to improve patient safety.
The fellowship program will provide LSU Health New Orleans M.D./M.P.H. students with working knowledge of health policy, enabling them to better understand the policy context in which healthcare is practiced. The program aims to bridge gaps between healthcare and public health disciplines.