Health Policy Commons^™

The Affordable Care Act, Medical Homes, And Childhood Asthma: A Key Opportunity For Progress, Meagan Lyon, Anne Rossier Markus, Sara J. Rosenbaum

Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative

The medical homes provisions of the Affordable Care Act offer a major opportunity to advance high quality, cost-efficient health care for children with asthma. This policy brief examines evolving national medical homes policy in a childhood asthma context. Following a brief background that examines childhood asthma and explores the origins and evolution of medical homes policy (a concept developed with children in mind), the brief then describes how the Affordable Care Act can advance the implementation of medical homes policies to improve health outcomes for children with asthma.

Hospice, Palliative Care And Health Care Reform: Beyond "End Of Life" To Quality Of Life, Dale Lupu

Health Policy and Management Faculty Posters and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Sex Education Decision Making At The Independent School District Of Boise, Annabeth D. Elliott

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

A needs assessment was conducted in Boise in 2008 to address pregnancy, abortion. and sexually transmitted diseases in teens. Key informants indicated students lacked knowledge about sexuality and agreed that comprehensive sex education was the best strategy for improving teen sexual health (Elliott, 2008). Because the Independent School District of Boise (ISDB) had an abstinence-only policy, the strategy could not be implemented until the policy was changed.

The purpose of this case study was to cultivate an in-depth understanding of the influences on sex education policy decisions at the ISDB and to add to the body of knowledge, which may …

Healthcare Reform In Two States: A Comparative Analysis Of Georgia And Massachusetts, Jason Stansberry

Dissertations, Theses and Capstone Projects (Full IR Collection)

Healthcare has been an ongoing conversation throughout the formation of America's sense of values and rights based on its Constitution. The role that the state plays in ensuring access to care based on legislation passed by the United States Congress is crucial for the public administrator to understand. This paper attempts to review the nature of the relationship between two states, Georgia and Massachusetts, and the federal government since the passage of the Healthcare Reconciliation Act of 2010 and the politics surrounding the controversy that has since ensued since the Act’s enactment.

Access to healthcare is an important part of …

Community's Safety Net: A Comparative Analysis Of The Role Of Nonprofit Hospitals In Barrow And Clayton Counties In Providing Services To Its Medicaid Population, Carlene Coggins, Julie John

Dissertations, Theses and Capstone Projects (Full IR Collection)

Nonprofit hospitals serve as part of the healthcare safety net to deliver a significant level of care to low-income, uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid and other vulnerable groups in society. Safety net hospitals are defined as those hospitals where at least 10 percent of the costs of care provided is uncompensated. Nonprofit hospitals are granted tax exemptions from the government and in exchange they are required to meet community benefit standards which include offering care to a relatively large proportion of uninsured or socially disadvantaged individuals.

Increasing poverty levels due to rising unemployment, foreclosures and economic distress have placed the safety net …

Design Standards Within Constructed Wetlands For The Reduction Of Mosquito Populations In Clark County, Nevada, Phillip C. Bondurant

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Wetlands are considered one of the most productive ecosystems in the world and provide many benefits to the environment. However, the slow moving and sometimes stagnant water created by the vegetation in the wetland creates an ideal environment for the proliferation of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are the most important insect disease vector worldwide. The presence of mosquitoes within wetlands increases the risk of disease transmission among workers and visitors creating a public health concern. Effective design standards aimed at reducing mosquito breeding habitat should be implemented during the construction and planning phase of wetland development to effectively reduce the mosquito populations. …

Health Care Reform Implementation: One State's Perspective, John M. Colmers

Health Policy and Management Faculty Posters and Presentations

No abstract provided.

A "Broader Regulatory Scheme"-- The Constitutionality Of Health Care Reform, Sara J. Rosenbaum

Health Policy and Management Faculty Publications

The fundamental goal of the ACA is no less than the preservation of the U.S. health care system. In a country that depends on health insurance to finance care, preservation cannot happen without a comprehensive regulatory scheme that reaches from coast to coast and sets the minimum rules of market entry and operation for health insurers. The glide path to this new system is long and complex, but the law's end point is clear and visionary, and its constitutionality--at least in this first round--is incontrovertible.

Medical Schools In Sub-Saharan Africa, Fitzhugh Mullan, Seble Frehywot, Francis Omaswa, Eric Buch, Candice Chen, S. Ryan Greysen, Tenagne W. Haile-Mariam, +30 Additional Authors

Health Policy and Management Faculty Publications

Small numbers of graduates from few medical schools, and emigration of graduates to other countries, contribute to low physician presence in sub-Saharan Africa. The Sub-Saharan African Medical School Study examined the challenges, innovations, and emerging trends in medical education in the region. We identifi ed 168 medical schools; of the 146 surveyed, 105 (72%) responded. Findings from the study showed that countries are prioritising medical education scale-up as part of health-system strengthening, and we identifi ed many innovations in premedical preparation, teambased education, and creative use of scarce research support. The study also drew attention to ubiquitous faculty shortages in …

Facing Up: Managing Diversity In Challenging Times, Carol Hardy-Fanta, Paige Ransford

Publications from the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy

Since its launch in 2008, Commonwealth Compact has grown steadily, employing several strategies to promote diversity statewide. The Benchmarks initiative has collected data, analyzed in this report, on a significant portion of the state workforce. Guided by Stephen Crosby, dean of the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at UMass Boston, Commonwealth Compact has conducted newsmaking surveys of public opinion and of boards of directors statewide. In addition, it has convened ongoing coalitions with its higher education partners, and established a collaborative of local business schools aimed specifically at increasing faculty diversity. The Compact has sponsored or co-sponsored …

Roundtable On The National Health Security Strategy And At‐Risk Individuals, Behavioral Health, And Community Resilience, Daniel B. Fagbuyi, +Conference Participants

GW mHealth Collaborative

No abstract provided.

Alur Klinis Dan Biaya Pengobatan Rumatan Metadon Di Rumah Sakit Ketergantungan Obat Jakarta, Ronnie Rivany

Kesmas

Dampak penyalahgunaan narkoba antara lain adalah peningkatan prevalensi HIV/AIDS di kalangan pengguna narkoba suntik. Program Terapi Rumatan Metadon merupakan salah satu cara penanganan yang kini belum mempunyai alur klinis yang berfungsi menjamin standar kualitas pelayanan. Di samping itu, belum ada ketentuan yang dapat dijadikan acuan biaya pengobatan. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah membuat alur klinis dan biaya pengobatan rumatan metadon dan casemix di Rumah Sakit Ketergantungan Obat (RSKO) Jakarta. Metode penelitian merujuk INADRG yang berbasis evidence dengan diskusi kelompok, tenaga medis dan tenaga non medis serta profesi dan manajemen RSKO. Berdasarkan jumlah dan jenis utilisasi dalam alur klinis maka biaya pengobatan …

Irish Healthcare; The Evidence On Communicating Policy., Vivienne Byers

Conference Papers

The complexity of the health care environment necessitates that health policy, legislative objectives, resource allocation models, and management structures be aligned to plan and deliver healthcare services strategically. Policy in the Irish health care system is guided by the National Health Strategy of 2001; in that there should be equitable distribution of health services focused on the need of the citizen-client. Though the Strategy uses the words ‘evidence based’, ‘population health’, ‘equity’, ‘people-centred’ and ‘health and social gain’, there is little evidence that these concepts have gained purchase in the present implementation of policy and planning in Irish health care …

Conference Schedule, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas, Brookings Mountain West

The Political Demography and Geography of the Intermountain West Conference

The Intermountain West region, including Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah, is the new swing region in American politics. Many national observers and commentators have only a superficial understanding of the profound economic, political, and social changes that continue to reshape this region. Brookings Mountain West is pleased to offer a collection of contemporary research papers on recent demographic trends that alter this region and its politics. These studies, including a public opinion survey that explores attitudes on state and national politics, alternative energy, education, deficits, health care, immigration, and other topics illuminate the political landscape of this …

The Intermountain West Today: A Regional Survey, Ruy Teixeira, Karlyn Bowman

Brookings Mountain West Publications

What does it mean to live in the Intermountain West today? What issues are most and least important to the region’s residents? Do Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah have a collective identity or are state-level differences too great? Is there an identifiable Intermountain West personality? Today we will present the results of a unique survey that attempts to answer these questions.

The Affordable Care Act: U.S. Vaccine Policy And Practice, Alexandra M. Stewart, Orriel L. Richardson, Marisa A. Cox, Katherine J. Hayes, Sara J. Rosenbaum

Health Policy and Management Faculty Publications

When fully implemented, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, amended by the Health and Education Reconciliation Act will extend health insurance coverage to 94 percent of Americans while establishing a comprehensive set of strategies to improve care and contain costs. The central provisions of the Act – guaranteed affordable and accessible coverage – take effect January 1, 2014. Important insurance reforms aimed at improving coverage become effective before that date, as do a series of investments aimed at improving the accessibility and quality of health care.

This report has several aims: 1) to examine how the laws address vaccine …

A Case Study Of Appendicitis At Antanimalandy Lutheran Hospital, Jennifer Gemmell

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

From the introduction:

The island of Madagascar houses a total of 19,159,000 people who spend only $34 per person per year on health care (“Madagascar,” 2008). The government claims to have “committed itself to the principle that good health is a right of each Malagasy citizen, and has made significant studies in the area of health care,” according to the country study for the Library of Congress. However, with political corruption, political crisis after political crisis, and lack of international support, the government does not dispense the funds necessary to support this commitment (Metz, 1994). For example, in 1976 the …

Finding The Right Fit: Unique Challenges Faced By Health Ngos In The Health System Of Lamu District, Lauren Hartel

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This study examines how nongovernmental organizations and community-based organizations in Lamu District interact with the governmentally structured health care system at the district level. This is done through participatory observation, interviews and removed observation of NGOs, CBOs and government officials. From these observations, this study then identifies major challenges faced by health NGOs that inhibit them from performing to the best of their ability, and at times even compromise the health of the people they are trying to help. The results of this study show that in Lamu District, the most relevant challenges are continuity of care, dissemination of information, …

Unlv / Brookings West: Intermountain West Region Regional Survey, University Of Nevada Las Vegas, Brookings Institute

Brookings Mountain West Publications

The 2010 Intermountain West Public Opinion Survey documents responses from 2,000 residents of the Intermountain West (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah). Gerstein | Agne Strategic Communications conducted the survey from August 23 – September 1, 2010. A minimum of 250 respondents for each state are included in the results for this survey. Respondents included 1,700 landline interviews and 300 cell phone interviews. Gerstein | Agne Strategic Communications provides strategic planning, communications, project management, and research services to a wide range of non-profit organizations, Fortune 500 companies, and candidates for elected office.

The survey includes an extensive series …

A Step Towards Realization Of The Twenty-Seventh Right?: A Preliminary Analysis Of The Proposed National Health Insurance For South Africa, Kelsey Fraser

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

As part of a three-week social analysis study, the African National Congress’ (ANC) proposal for a National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme was examined. Legal commitments in Section 27 of the Constitution and Section 3 of the National Health Act oblige the South African government to work progressively towards realization of the right to healthcare. The latest push for NHI can be interpreted as an attempt to broaden realization of this right.

Information on the NHI proposal was obtained primarily from documents released by the ANC and was supplemented by written analysis found through Internet research. A partial understanding of public …

Public Health Insurance Utilization In New York City, 2008, Rachael Varra

Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies

Introduction: This study examines demographic and socioeconomic factors of racial/ethnic groups in New York City between as of 2008 – particularly the utilization of public health insurance (PHI) benefits.

Methods: Data on Latinos and other racial/ethnic groups were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, reorganized for public use by the Minnesota Population Center, University of Minnesota, IPUMSusa. Cases in the dataset were weighted and analyzed to produce population estimates.

Results: Of the 25% of New Yorkers receiving PHI in 2008, the absolute number of whites, blacks and Latinos receiving PHI was similar. However, greater proportions of Latinos …

Data Segmentation In Electronic Health Information Exchange: Policy Considerations And Analysis, Melissa M. Goldstein, Alison L. Rein, Melissa M. Heesters, Penelope P. Hughes, Benjamin Williams, Scott A. Weinstein

Health Policy and Management Faculty Publications

The issue of whether and, if so, to what extent patients should have control over the sharing or withholding of their health information represents one of the foremost policy challenges related to electronic health information exchange. It is widely acknowledged that patients' health information should flow where and when it is needed to support the provision of appropriate and high-quality care. Equally significant, however, is the notion that patients want their needs and preferences to be considered in the determination of what information is shared with other parties, for what purposes, and under what conditions. Some patients may prefer to …

A Heavy Burden: The Individual Costs Of Being Overweight And Obese In The United States, Avi Dor, Christine Ferguson, Casey Langwith, Ellen Tan

Health Policy and Management Faculty Publications

More than 60% of the United States population is overweight or obese, and if the current trajectory continues, 50% of the population will be obese by 2030. There is no question that being obese or overweight, is more costly than being of normal weight. Using existing literature, we have detailed the costs incurred due to overweight and obesity that affect working-age adults at the individual level.

Among the items discussed in this review, overweight or obese individuals bear the full burden for some costs, such as the value of lost life, lost wages, gasoline costs, and, when applicable, life insurance. …

Renewing Health Services Management Research: Redrawing The Citizen-Client In Irish Health Care Policy, Vivienne Byers

Conference Papers

Ireland has a history of health policy which is not explicit as to its aims and objectives. In light of this fact, this paper examines the position and direction of the Irish Health Services, five years on from the advent of the setting up of the Health Services Executive (HSE) and the restructuring of the health services. The Irish health system policy is guided by the Health Strategy of 2001; in that there should be equitable distribution of health services focused on the need of the citizen-client, and also by the Primary Care Strategy (2001:7); in that there should be …

Aligning Forces For Quality: Improving Language Services Performance Measures, Marsha Regenstein

Health Policy and Management Faculty Publications

This portion of the Language Services Performance Measures guide provides a brief overview of the information contained within each section of the manual. It is intended for use as a quick reference to assist in the implementation of the Language Services performance measures. The sections of the manual are interrelated and have been designed to be used together.

U.S. Participation In International Health Treaties, Commitments, Partnerships And Other Agreements, Jennifer Kates, Rebecca L. Katz

Health Policy and Management Faculty Publications

The U.S. government's role in global health is long-standing and multifaceted. While primarily involving directly funding and operating programs in low- and middle-income countries, it also includes participation in international treaties, commitments, partnerships, and other multilateral agreements that address or encompass health. Such agreements serve numerous purposes including establishing political and legal commitments, formalizing international relationships, and coordinating roles and responsibilities in an increasingly complex and globalized and interconnected world. The role of the U.S. in international agreements has gained new attention in the Obama Administration, which has stated an intention to reinvigorate multilateral engagement and international partnerships on health …

Envisioning Nevada’S Future: Goals & Strategies For Advancing Our Quality Of Life, Nevada Vision Stakeholder Group, Moody’S Analytics

Brookings Mountain West Publications

Nevada’s severe downturn has brought to light many of the long-term challenges facing the state. Not only is its economy subject to painful swings, but Nevada’s primary drivers— consumer services (primarily gaming, hospitality and housing) and resource extraction—will provide less support than they have in past business cycles. Less economic vitality will make it harder to offer Nevadans the quality of life they expect.

The importance of the economy to quality of life is equally clear—quality of life is a hollow promise without a healthy and supportive economy. Similarly, a proper fiscal structure—both in terms of spending and revenues—is critical …

Women’S Health Disparities And Midwifery Care: Spotlight On Massachusetts, Dorothy Hiersteiner

Publications from the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy

As a result of Massachusetts’ 2006 health insurance coverage law, there has been a significant decrease in the uninsurance rate for women of color. Access to and use of health care for all women in the Commonwealth has also increased. Despite these coverage and access gains, major racial/ethnic disparities in health conditions and outcomes still exist among women, especially in the use and quality of prenatal care, the occurrence of preterm and low birth weight births, and infant mortality rates. The proportion of Massachusetts births that were cesarean deliveries in 2007 was 8% higher than the national rate. Compared to …

Women’S Health Disparities And Midwifery Care, Adeola Oni-Orisan, Dorothy Hiersteiner, Althea Swett

Publications from the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy

This fact sheet was developed for the roundtables project “Midwifery Care in New England: Addressing the Needs of Underserved and Diverse Communities of Women.” Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Women’s Health (Region I), this initiative addresses the challenges and opportunities related to the provision of midwifery care to underserved and vulnerable populations of women. The project aims to increase our understanding of regional midwifery workforce needs in the context of ensuring that all women living in New England have access to timely, affordable, and high-quality health care.

The September 2010 roundtables were …

Women’S Health Disparities And Midwifery Care: Spotlight On Connecticut, Dorothy Hiersteiner, Kaye Inandan

Publications from the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy

Although Connecticut’s Medicaid programs, Husky A and B, are essential providers of coverage for maternity care, there are still major racial and ethnic disparities in access to, use of, and quality of prenatal care in Connecticut. The cesarean birth rate in the state is almost 9% higher than the US average. African American/black and Hispanic mothers experience comparatively high rates of low birth weight births. Furthermore, Connecticut is home to a substantial rural population which experiences unique challenges to accessing adequate health care. While 75% of the Connecticut population is non-Hispanic white, 9% is African American/black, 12% is Hispanic and …