Articles tagged with Health Care Policy
A new study found that information technology is a fundamental component of 176 health programs in low- and middle-income countries. Technology is being used to extend geographical access, facilitate communications between health workers and patients, and improve data management.
A US study has found that physicians are less likely to prescribe antidepressants to African-American and Hispanic patients with major depressive disorder. The study also reveals significant variations in prescription patterns based on patient age, payment source, and physician ownership status.
A study led by Salomeh Keyhani found no evidence to support the notion that higher regional healthcare costs indicate inappropriate care. The researchers reviewed 114,830 peer-reviewed articles and concluded that there is a lack of scientific evidence to design policies that reduce unnecessary care.
Aaron E. Carroll, a renowned health policy expert, will provide insight into the political aspects of health care via The JAMA Forum, analyzing presidential campaign proposals and Supreme Court decisions.
The rapid urbanization of China has led to a significant increase in disease rates and healthcare disparities, particularly among rural-to-urban migrants. These individuals face unique health risks due to gaps in healthcare coverage and exposure to pathogens associated with both rural poverty and crowded urban environments.
A recent study suggests that US radiation residents' curricula for business practice and health care policy are in need of improvement, with most programs offering variable topics and educational time. The study's findings indicate that current curricula may be suboptimal, highlighting the need for further commitment and innovation.
A new study by RAND Corporation concludes that eliminating the individual mandate under the Affordable Care Act would sharply decrease health coverage, but not dramatically hike insurance prices. The number of Americans predicted to get coverage in 2016 would drop from 27 million to 15 million if the individual mandate were eliminated.
Research studies evaluated the impact of Massachusetts health reform on insurance coverage, access to care, and affordability, providing insights into system-wide changes. Another study identified the benefits and risks of relationships between physicians/scientists and industry, influencing policies and practices nationwide.
Increasing physician pay to attract more doctors may lead to a shortage of services. Non-wage compensation like bonuses and relocation support can reduce the number of hours worked by physicians.
Hospital parking fees should be abolished as they create barriers to health care and distract patients from their concerns. Abolishing parking fees would validate patients' experience and support patient-centred health care.
A new study found that middle-income earners prefer fast-food dining due to its affordability and convenience. The research suggests that policymakers should look beyond restaurant type when addressing the obesity epidemic.
Researchers found that patients and staff continue to smoke on hospital grounds, citing safety issues and lack of support. Hospitals should reframe smoking as an addiction requiring treatment, not just a personal choice.
Researchers analyzed policies in low-income countries that removed user fees from healthcare, finding that well-designed and implemented free healthcare can improve access to services. However, insufficient funding and hasty decisions without stakeholder consultation can lead to system shocks and challenges.
The American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) has awarded four individuals with Signature Awards for their groundbreaking work in biomedical and health informatics. The recipients include Dr. Kai Zheng, Rita D. Zielstorff, Julie McGowan, and R. Scott Evans, who have made significant contributions to sociotechnical integration, cl...
A new project by The Hastings Center explores the medical safety net for undocumented immigrants in the US, highlighting the challenges of providing care to those without insurance. The project aims to clarify policy choices and identify consequences for patients, healthcare professionals, and organizations.
A new report highlights significant disparities in health care access and outcomes among vulnerable populations. The Commonwealth Fund Commission recommends a three-pronged policy framework to ensure adequate access, financial protection, and improved coordination of care. This will help reduce rates of preventable hospital admissions ...
Researchers found that racially integrated neighborhoods with similar socioeconomic and environmental conditions showed reduced health disparities among black and white Americans. The study suggests that addressing neighborhood resources and underlying health conditions can help close racial gaps in health outcomes.
A new study found that patients with consumer-directed health plans have more control over healthcare costs, with two-thirds of the reduction in total healthcare costs coming from reduced utilization of medical services. This is due to lower use of name-brand medications, less in-patient care, and lower use of specialists.
A new study published in Journal of Hospital Medicine found that discussing end-of-life care with physicians does not affect survival rates. Patients who have advance directives in their medical records also have similar survival rates as those without these discussions and documents.
Data from the National Health Interview Survey shows a significant increase in mammogram screenings for immigrant women between 2000 and 2008. Despite this growth, mammography rates remain lower among foreign-born women compared to U.S.-born women.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that physician practices using electronic health records (EHRs) had significantly better healthcare and outcomes than those relying on paper records. The findings remained consistent across different insurance types, including Medicaid and uninsured patients.
The Lancet Obesity Series identifies effective policies to reduce obesity, including taxes on unhealthy food and restrictions on TV advertising. Governments are urged to prioritize prevention programs and monitoring to tackle this complex and intractable problem.
A Rutgers survey finds that one-third of NJ immigrant children and over 70% of foreign-born adults lack health coverage, facing significant access-to-care barriers. Immigrants often have lower family incomes than US-born families and report fewer chronic conditions despite higher stress levels.
The Distinguished Investigator Award recognizes Dr. Vince Mor for his significant contributions to health services research, while the Alice S. Hersh New Investigator Award is given to Dr. Scott Halpern for exceptional promise in early career. The Article-of-the-Year Award honors researchers Jeffrey Silber and Robert Kaestner for their...
Key findings from the Commonwealth Fund/Modern Healthcare Health Care Opinion Leaders Survey include widespread support for states to implement key health reform law provisions early with full federal support. The survey also highlights concerns about barriers to implementation, such as capacity of state agencies and budget pressures.
The quality of healthcare in both public and private sectors in low-income countries is poor, with many services scoring low on infrastructure, clinical competence, and practice. Improving the quality of care in both sectors can be a pro-poor intervention to improve health outcomes.
The American College of Physicians urges a national policy to ensure better access to healthcare for immigrants, who face numerous barriers, including lack of insurance and fear of deportation. The organization emphasizes the importance of addressing these concerns to prevent public health issues and promote equitable care.
A recent study found that thinking about choices can make people less sympathetic to others and less likely to support policies promoting greater equality. This effect was observed across different cultures, including the US and India, with Indian participants being less affected by choice-related thinking.
A study by Ohio State University found that passive news reporting can lead readers to doubt their ability to find the truth in politics. The researchers suggest that journalists should resolve factual disputes to avoid misleading audiences.
A study in Canadian Medical Association Journal highlights the need for an e-health policy to guide the implementation of health information technologies. The policy should align with major strategic priorities, such as patient safety and chronic disease management, to promote electronic health record adoption and data exchange.
Experts argue that Canada's assisted death laws should be linked to equal access to palliative care, highlighting a need to address the country's inequitable healthcare system. The Canadian Medical Association Journal commentary emphasizes the importance of optimized palliative care before considering legalization.
A study published in CMAJ found that restricting angiotensin-receptor blockers could save Canada $77.1 million without negative effects on health. The policy would benefit from the cheaper and effective alternative, ACE inhibitors.
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers found significant disparities in common measures of hospital-wide mortality rates, highlighting the complexity and variability of diagnoses. The authors propose alternative methods to construct a more limited portfolio of mortality results for individual common conditions.
A study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that youth generally perceive community street outreach workers positively, regardless of personal experience. The majority of respondents reported successfully resolving conflicts and needing help with employment, education, and healthcare needs.
The Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center hosted a symposium on high-value health care, emphasizing the need for payment reform and collaborative approaches. Panelists stressed the importance of integrated care, ACOs, and electronic health records in achieving better health outcomes.
A recent study by Indiana University found that the state spends significantly more on health care-related consequences of substance abuse compared to its prevention initiatives. This means that for every dollar invested in treatment and intervention programs, only a small fraction is dedicated to preventing substance abuse.
A University of Michigan concept for value-based insurance design is featured in a thematic cluster of papers in the November issue of Health Affairs. The approach focuses on removing barriers to high-value services and aims to improve patient outcomes while reducing healthcare costs.
Researchers found that relationships are a crucial factor in spirituality, with 87% of patients considering spirituality important in their lives. The study recommends focusing on presence, journeying together, and engaging in reciprocal sharing to improve spiritual care.
A new study reveals that regional variation in health-care spending and utilization is two to three times more pronounced in Medicare than the private sector. Adopting private-sector utilization management models could help improve efficiency in the Medicare program.
A study by UCLA researchers found nearly 25% of California kids have never seen a dentist, with disparities existing across race and insurance type. Children with private insurance had higher chances of visiting the dentist, while those on Medicaid or CHIP saw less frequent care.
A large study found that men using erectile dysfunction drugs had significantly higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases than non-users, highlighting the need for healthcare providers to counsel patients on safer sex practices. The study suggests that ED drug use is associated with higher-risk behaviors and increased STD rates.
AcademyHealth recognized leading researchers in health services research and policy, including Dr. Lisa I. Iezzoni and Dr. Aaron S. Kesselheim, for their significant contributions to advancing policy and practice in healthcare.
A new UC Davis study found that low-wage workers are more likely to be obese due to limited access to healthier food and physical activity options. Raising minimum wages may help expand access to healthier lifestyle choices.
According to a new national survey by Indiana University's Center for Health Policy and Professionalism Research, 58% of Americans support health care reform, despite some wanting the law repealed. Younger individuals were most supportive of repeal, but many also want Congress to continue working on health care system reforms.
A study found that nearly one in ten primary care physicians experience conflicts with religious hospitals, with younger and less religious physicians more likely to face these issues. Most physicians feel they should refer patients to another institution if clinical judgment conflicts with hospital policy.
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) has endorsed pay-for-performance (P4P) programs in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine. The organization aims to improve patient outcomes by linking reimbursement to quality of care.
The article reviews Massachusetts healthcare reform, which has successfully implemented an individual mandate since 2006. The state's program greatly expanded coverage and access to health services while reducing the fear of insurers dropping coverage.
A new federal center for Medicare and Medicaid innovation could spur significant delivery system change by implementing alternative payment structures through voluntary pilot projects. Such pilots would be particularly beneficial for health care organizations looking to reduce excess clinical spending.
The Dartmouth Atlas hospital ratings are being used by policy makers despite their limitations, which fail to account for differences in patient types and outcomes. This could lead hospitals to prioritize conforming to the rating system over improving care quality.
A new study analyzing performance reports from medical groups found that pay-for-performance (P4P) initiatives had limited impact on overall care quality. Despite incentivizing providers to focus on preventative medicine, researchers discovered a lack of positive spillovers to other areas of care.
A study by WashU Medicine found that making flu shots mandatory in 2008 increased vaccination rates among BJC HealthCare employees to over 98 percent. The program's success was attributed to consistent communication and support from hospital leadership.
A mandatory influenza vaccination policy improved the vaccination rate among 26,000 employees at a large health care system from 54% to 98%. The study found that medical and religious exemptions were granted to 411 employees, with eight terminated for non-compliance.
A roundtable discussion highlights palliative care's crucial role in evolving health-care reform policy, focusing on changing public perception and educating policymakers. The panel emphasizes the need for proactive education and awareness to demonstrate palliative medicine's value in improving patient outcomes.
A study by the Center for Studying Health System Change reveals a gap between policy makers' expectations of commercial EMRs to improve care coordination and clinicians' real-world experiences. Current EMRs facilitate care coordination within practices but struggle with exchanging information across physician practices and settings.
A recent study found that low-income families in states with more generous Medicaid and SCHIP benefits report less financial burden. However, the percentage of families with out-of-pocket expenses exceeding 3% or 5% of their income varies greatly from state to state.
Researchers propose new guidelines for improved prescription drug ads, emphasizing clearer warnings about risks and accurate information about potential benefits. The study highlights the need for regulation of direct-to-consumer advertising to reduce harm and promote informed health choices.
Leaders in healthcare and health policy support sweeping changes to Medicare, including expanding payment pilot programs and creating an independent advisory council. Experts also back negotiating pharmaceutical drug prices and filling the 'doughnut hole' coverage gap.
Researchers evaluated the effectiveness of contracting private providers and cash incentives to increase healthcare use in poor countries. Strong evidence shows positive health impacts from cash incentives, while contracting out services had relatively weak results.
A Harvard Medical School study found that individuals who were previously uninsured between ages 51 and 64 cost Medicare an additional $1,000 annually due to complications from cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Expanding coverage may reduce subsequent Medicare spending by $98 billion, offsetting the costs.
A partnership between MU and state organizations provides medical interpreters to LEP patients, improving communication and reducing costs. The program aims to increase access to quality care and reduce misdiagnoses.