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News Archive in HSR

News Archive in HSR

Year 2013: June May April March February January
Year 2012: December November October August July June

June 2013

• Mailman School Adopts an Open Access Policy for its Published Research Mailman School Adopts an Open Access Policy for its Published Research - (Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health U.S.) - 04-JUN-2013 The Mailman School is the first school at the university and one of the first of U.S. schools of public health to adopt an open access resolution, which calls for faculty and other researchers at the school to post their papers in openly available online repositories.

May 2013

• What Drove the Recent Slowdown in Health Spending Growth and Can It Continue? - (Urban Institute (UI)) - 14-MAY-2013 National health expenditures have grown at record-low rates for the past three years.

• Disconnected Mothers and the Well-Being of Children: A Research Report - (Urban Institute (UI)) - 14-MAY-2013 This paper looks at the well-being of children, whose mothers have become disconnected from work and welfare.

• The Cost and Coverage Implications of the ACA Medicaid Expansion: National and State-by-State Analysis The Cost and Coverage Implications of the ACA Medicaid Expansion: National and State-by-State Analysis - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 10-MAY-2013 This report provides state-by-state estimates of the impact of ACA on federal and state Medicaid costs, Medicaid enrollment, and the number of uninsured.

• Concentrated Poverty and Regional Equity: Findings from the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership Share Indicators Initiative Concentrated Poverty and Regional Equity: Findings from the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership Share Indicators Initiative - (Urban Institute (UI)) - 03-MAY-2013 This paper looks at the relationship between concentrated poverty and regional equity.

April 2013

• Using SNAP Receipt to Establish, Verify, and Renew Medicaid Using SNAP Receipt to Establish, Verify, and Renew Medicaid - (Urban Institute (UI)) - 29-APR-2013 A report looks at the ways in which Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program receipts can aid in new Medicaid enrollment.

• Enhanced National CLAS Standards and The Blueprint with guidance and implementation strategies. Enhanced National CLAS Standards and The Blueprint with guidance and implementation strategies. - (Office of Minority Health (OMH)) - 26-APR-2013 CLAS Standards are intended to advance health equity, improve quality, and help eliminate health care disparities by providing a blueprint for individuals and health and health care organizations to implement culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

• Blueprint for a Public Health and Safety Approach to Drug Policy - (New York Academy of Medicine) - 24-APR-2013 This report looks at the contradictory nature of current drug policy, as well as specific recommendations for reform.

• Enrollment-Driven Expenditure Growth: Medicaid Spending during the Economic Downturn, FY 2007-2011 Enrollment-Driven Expenditure Growth: Medicaid Spending during the Economic Downturn, FY 2007-2011 - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 18-APR-2013 CMS administrative data is used to track Medicaid spending by service or category.

• Crisis Standards of Care: A Systems Framework for Catastrophic Disaster Response Crisis Standards of Care: A Systems Framework for Catastrophic Disaster Response - (Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (IOM)) - 17-APR-2013 This report is based on the work of a committee that developed guidance to enable health officials to establish and implement standards of care during disasters.

• Impact of the Medicaid Expansion for Low-Income Communities of Color Across States Impact of the Medicaid Expansion for Low-Income Communities of Color Across States - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 17-APR-2013 Included here are four documents: an overview brief, and reports on the effects of Medicaid expansion on Asian and Pacific Islander, Black, and Hispanic populations.

• EPC Response to IOM Standards for Systematic Reviews - (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)) - 11-APR-2013 This report outlines procedures for systematic review standards presented by the Evidence-based Practice Centers.

• Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports: Key Considerations for Successful Transitions from Fee-For-Service to Capitated Managed Care Programs Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports: Key Considerations for Successful Transitions from Fee-For-Service to Capitated Managed Care Programs - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 10-APR-2013 This issue brief examines key policy and operational considerations related to the transition from fee for service to risk-based capitated managed care for long-term services and supports.

• Health Coverage for the Hispanic Population Today and Under the Affordable Care Act Health Coverage for the Hispanic Population Today and Under the Affordable Care Act - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 10-APR-2013 This Key Facts report looks at the continuing disparities in health coverage and care facing the Hispanic population.

• Interim Report of the Committee on Geographic Variation in Health Care Spending and Promotion of High-Value Health Care: Preliminary Committee Observations Interim Report of the Committee on Geographic Variation in Health Care Spending and Promotion of High-Value Health Care: Preliminary Committee Observations - (National Academies Press (NAP)) - 10-APR-2013 On March 22, 2013, the Committee issued this interim report, to provide observations for Congress as it considers Medicare reform.

• HSR Information Sciences Community HSR Information Sciences Community - (AcademyHealth) - 09-APR-2013 This community offers discussion on timely topics, links to relevant articles, and webinars on library-specific topics related to health services research.

• Geographic Variation in Health Care Spending and Promotion of High-Value Care - Interim Report Geographic Variation in Health Care Spending and Promotion of High-Value Care - Interim Report - (Institute of Medicine (IOM)) - 05-APR-2013 Released on March 22nd, 2013, the interim report is designed to provide Congress with preliminary Committee observation on Medicare reform.

• Profile of Rural Health Clinics: Clinic & Medicare Patient Characteristics - (Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research) - 05-APR-2013 This Findings Brief presents a summary of the geographic distribution and clinic-level characteristics of rural health clinics.

• The Composition of Children Enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP: A Summary The Composition of Children Enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP: A Summary - (Urban Institute (UI)) - 02-APR-2013 This fact sheet looks at the racial and ethnic variation in residential patterns and health status for children in Medicaid and CHIP.

• How is the Affordable Care Act Leading to Changes in Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Today? State Adoption of Six LTSS Options How is the Affordable Care Act Leading to Changes in Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Today? State Adoption of Six LTSS Options - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 02-APR-2013 This issue brief provides an overview of six Medicaid LTSS options.

• Updating the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program For A New Era: Key Issues & Questions For the Future Updating the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program For A New Era: Key Issues & Questions For the Future - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 02-APR-2013 This brief examines the key issues and questions facing the Ryan White program, and examines potential changes for policymakers and others to consider.

March 2013

• Where are States Today? Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility Levels for Children and Non‐Disabled Adults Where are States Today? Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility Levels for Children and Non‐Disabled Adults - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 29-MAR-2013 This brief provides an overview of current Medicaid and CHIP eligibility levels for non-disabled children and adults to provide better insight into the impact of the Medicaid expansion.

• Sharing Clinical Research Data: Workshop Summary Sharing Clinical Research Data: Workshop Summary - (Institute of Medicine (IOM)) - 29-MAR-2013 A workshop, held on October 4-5, 2012, examined the benefits of sharing clinical research data, the barriers to such sharing, and strategies to address these barriers. The Meeting Summary is now available

• The Affordable Care Act: Three Years Post-Enactment The Affordable Care Act: Three Years Post-Enactment - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 28-MAR-2013 An issue brief presents an overview of the Affordable Care Act's impacts on private insurance and exchanges.

• The ACA, Health Care Costs, and Disparities in Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance - (Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.) - 28-MAR-2013 This paper examines potential changes in the disparities in employer-sponsored health insurance between low-and high-wage workers that might accompany the Affordable Care Act

• State Health Insurance Exchanges: Assessing Rural Implications of Statutes - (Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) USA) - 28-MAR-2013 A new paper examines state health exchanges within the rural health care markets.

• Medicare Spending Limits: Issues and Implications Medicare Spending Limits: Issues and Implications - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 28-MAR-2013 An issue brief examines the impact of explicit limits on the growth in Medicare spending suggested as part of several deficit-reduction plans.

• Uninsured Veterans and Family Members: State and National Estimates of Expanded Medicaid Eligibility Under the ACA Uninsured Veterans and Family Members: State and National Estimates of Expanded Medicaid Eligibility Under the ACA - (Urban Institute (UI)) - 27-MAR-2013 This report looks at effects of the Affordable Care Act on the lives of Veterans and their families.

• How Much Will Medicaid Cost in the Future and Why: A Look At Federal Projections How Much Will Medicaid Cost in the Future and Why: A Look At Federal Projections - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 27-MAR-2013 This issue brief examines projections for Medicaid costs, 2013-2023.

• The Financial Benefit to Hospitals from State Expansion of Medicaid: Timely Analysis of Immediate Health Policy Issues The Financial Benefit to Hospitals from State Expansion of Medicaid: Timely Analysis of Immediate Health Policy Issues - (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)) - 22-MAR-2013 This report looks at the effects of the ACA's Medicaid expansion on hospitals.

• Shorter Lives, Poorer Health: What Health Services Researchers Can Do About the Growing U.S. Health Disadvantage Shorter Lives, Poorer Health: What Health Services Researchers Can Do About the Growing U.S. Health Disadvantage - (AcademyHealth) - 22-MAR-2013 AcademyHealth's blog post discusses the new NAS book, U.S. Health in the International Perspective: Shorter Lives, Poorer Health."

• Community Health Centers in an Era of Health Reform: An Overview and Key Challenges to Health Center Growth Community Health Centers in an Era of Health Reform: An Overview and Key Challenges to Health Center Growth - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 22-MAR-2013 This brief looks at the impact of federally funded community health centers and the impact of the Affordable Care Act on their continued growth.

• Building Advocacy for Policy Change to Improve the Nation's Health Building Advocacy for Policy Change to Improve the Nation's Health - (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)) - 15-MAR-2013 In a program results report, RWJF looks at the work of the Trust for America's Health in advocating for improvements to public health systems and services research.

• Health Coverage by Race and Ethnicity: The Potential Impact of the Affordable Care Act Health Coverage by Race and Ethnicity: The Potential Impact of the Affordable Care Act - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 14-MAR-2013 This brief provides an overview of health coverage by race and ethnicity today to provide greater insight into the potential impacts of the Affordable Care Act coverage expansions for people of color.

• Early Adopters of the Accountable Care Model: A Field Report on Improvements in Health Care Delivery Early Adopters of the Accountable Care Model: A Field Report on Improvements in Health Care Delivery - (Commonwealth Fund) - 14-MAR-2013 This report describes the experiences of seven hospital-physician organizations that have created ACO-type entities and begun risk-sharing arrangements with public and private payers, or will soon start them.

• Premium Assistance in Medicaid and CHIP: An Overview of Current Options and Implications of the Affordable Care Act Premium Assistance in Medicaid and CHIP: An Overview of Current Options and Implications of the Affordable Care Act - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 12-MAR-2013 This Policy Brief looks at the use of public funds through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program to purchase private coverage.

• Health Insurance Market Reforms: Portability Health Insurance Market Reforms: Portability - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 12-MAR-2013 This fact sheet explains how portability, the ability to carry a particular health insurance program from one job to another, is regulated under current law and how the Affordable Care Act will affect portability in 2014.

• Improving Access to Children's Mental Health Care: Lessons from a Study of Eleven States Improving Access to Children's Mental Health Care: Lessons from a Study of Eleven States - (George Washington University) - 12-MAR-2013 This report, the second in a series, examines children's access to mental health services within the light of the Affordable Care Act.

• HHS announces 2013 agenda to bring down costs and improve quality of care through implementation of health information technology HHS announces 2013 agenda to bring down costs and improve quality of care through implementation of health information technology - (Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) U.S.) - 06-MAR-2013 HHS plans to accelerate health information exchange (HIE) and build a seamless and secure flow of information essential to transforming the health care system.

• Ensuring the Health Care Needs of Women: A Checklist for Health Exchanges Ensuring the Health Care Needs of Women: A Checklist for Health Exchanges - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 06-MAR-2013 This checklist looks at key issues important to health care coverage, affordability and access to care for women that state and federal officials should consider as they establish new health insurance exchanges in each state under the Affordable Care Act

• Poll Finds Big Gap Between Parents and Experts: Parents Less Likely to Recognize Children as Overweight or Obese Poll Finds Big Gap Between Parents and Experts: Parents Less Likely to Recognize Children as Overweight or Obese - (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)) - 06-MAR-2013 Only 15% of Kids Have Parents Who Say They are Overweight, Compared with National Stats Showing that 32% of Young People are Overweight or Obese; Many Families Face Challenges in Trying to Help Children Eat Well and Be More Active

• Why the ACA's Limits on Age-Rating Will Not Cause "Rate Shock": Distributional Implications of Limited Age Bands in Nongroup Health Insurance Why the ACA's Limits on Age-Rating Will Not Cause "Rate Shock": Distributional Implications of Limited Age Bands in Nongroup Health Insurance - (Urban Institute (UI)) - 06-MAR-2013 Urban Institute looks at the potential effects of "rate shock" on the participation of young adults in the non-group insurance market.

• Rural Medicare Advantage Enrollment and Premium Update - (Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) USA) - 06-MAR-2013 This policy brief looks at the growth in enrollment in Medicare Advantage in rural areas. Enrollees in rural areas are seeing higher premiums with less benefits than their counterparts in urban areas.

February 2013

• Child-Directed Marketing Within and Around Fast-Food Restaurants Child-Directed Marketing Within and Around Fast-Food Restaurants - (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)) - 22-FEB-2013 The proportion of child-directed marketing within and around fast-food restaurants can vary by neighborhood income, race and ethnicity, according to this report.

• Avoiding Bias in Selecting Studies Avoiding Bias in Selecting Studies - (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)) - 22-FEB-2013 This report is designed to assist policymakers in making informed health care services decisions.

• Dialysis Availability in Rural America - (South Carolina Rural Health Research Center) - 19-FEB-2013 Using the Medicare Dialysis Compare files, this report examines questions including: What is the current distribution of dialysis facilities across levels of rurality? How does the distribution of facilities compare to estimated need? How do dialysis facility performance measures compare across levels of rurality?

• Medigap: Spotlight on Enrollment, Premiums and Recent Trends Medigap: Spotlight on Enrollment, Premiums and Recent Trends - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 14-FEB-2013 This policy brief provides an overview of the Medigap market, national trends, the growth in Medigap premiums, and a cost comparison of user premiums.

• Rural Pharmacy Closures: Implications for Rural Communities - (Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) USA) - 14-FEB-2013 This policy brief details the closure of local retail pharmacies in which the pharmacist was the only clinical provider available in the community at the time the pharmacy closed.

• The Single Streamlined Application Under the Affordable Care Act: Key Elements of the Proposed Application and Current Medicaid and CHIP Applications The Single Streamlined Application Under the Affordable Care Act: Key Elements of the Proposed Application and Current Medicaid and CHIP Applications - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 13-FEB-2013 A new report presents an overview of key elements of the proposed paper-based streamlined application for Medicaid enrollment.

• Public Opinion Polling on Raising the Age of Medicare Eligibility: Historic Trends and Current Nuances Public Opinion Polling on Raising the Age of Medicare Eligibility: Historic Trends and Current Nuances - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 13-FEB-2013 A new data note examines public opinion on proposals to raise the age of Medicare eligibility.

• HIV/AIDS in Rural America: Prevalence and Service Availability - (South Carolina Rural Health Research Center) - 11-FEB-2013 Using research from 28 states in 2008, this report examines the health needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS in rural areas, a population that is not frequently discussed.

• Delivering Affordable Cancer Care in the 21st Century - Workshop Summary Delivering Affordable Cancer Care in the 21st Century - Workshop Summary - (Institute of Medicine (IOM)) - 11-FEB-2013 A summary from the workshop held on October 8-9, 2012 by the IOM's National Cancer Policy Forum is available

• The Revolving Door: A Report on U.S. Hospital Readmissions The Revolving Door: A Report on U.S. Hospital Readmissions - (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)) - 11-FEB-2013 RWJF looks at the cost of readmissions for Medicare patients - $26 billion annually. This publication is part of the Dartmouth Atlas Project.

• Implementing the Affordable Care Act: State Action on the 2014 Market Reforms Implementing the Affordable Care Act: State Action on the 2014 Market Reforms - (Commonwealth Fund) - 08-FEB-2013 A new Issue Brief and interactive map displays the current status of ACA state implementation within the U.S.

• Scaling Telehealth Programs: Lessons from Early Adopters - (Commonwealth Fund) - 08-FEB-2013 A case study examines the impact of remote patient monitoring on health care coordination, patients' experience of care, and reduction in hospital admissions and costs.

• Federally Facilitated Exchanges Federally Facilitated Exchanges - (Health Affairs, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)) - 08-FEB-2013 This Health Policy Brief looks at the establishment of federally facilitated exchanges in those states that opt to not create state-based health insurance exchanges.

• Tracking for Health Tracking for Health - (Pew Internet and American Life Project USA) - 07-FEB-2013 In their latest survey, Pew Research Center finds that 69% of U.S. adults track a health indicator for themselves or a loved one and many say this activity has changed their overall approach to health.

• New Tumour Profiling Unit signals push for personalised cancer treatment New Tumour Profiling Unit signals push for personalised cancer treatment - 06-FEB-2013 The Tumour Profiling Unit at The Institute for Cancer Research, London, will accelerate the development of personalized cancer treatments and their delivery to patients.

• National Quality Strategy Stakeholder Tool Kit - (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)) - 06-FEB-2013 This tool kit contains fact sheets that can be printed and distributed, blogs and social media announcements for online use, and briefing slides for presentations concerning the National Quality Strategy.

• Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request - (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)) - 06-FEB-2013 This notice announces the intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve the proposed information collection project: "Evaluating the Knowledge and Educational Needs of Students of Health Professions on Patient-Centered Outcomes Research." The public is invited to comment on this proposed information collection.

• Role of Single Group Studies in Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Comparative Effectiveness Reviews Role of Single Group Studies in Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Comparative Effectiveness Reviews - (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)) - 06-FEB-2013 The purpose of this paper is to review the use and interpretation of single group studies in primary clinical research, and to summarize current practices to using single group studies in CERs.

• The Refinement of Topics for Systematic Reviews: Lessons and Recommendations From the Effective Health Care Program The Refinement of Topics for Systematic Reviews: Lessons and Recommendations From the Effective Health Care Program - (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)) - 06-FEB-2013 This report details the methodological recommendations that may help investigators better refine topics for systematic reviews.

January 2013

• Health Online 2013 - (Pew Internet and American Life Project USA) - 25-JAN-2013 Pew examines the growing trends towards consumer use of online health information.

• Altarum Institute Survey of Consumer Health Care Opinions - (Altarum Institute US) - 25-JAN-2013 This report provides consumer demographics, health characteristics, cost sharing, and general use, consumer-preferred roles in health care decisions, the consumer experience, and the information sources that they use to choose care.

• The Public's Policy Agenda for the 113th Congress The Public's Policy Agenda for the 113th Congress - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 25-JAN-2013 This survey data examines the public's attitudes about such issues as the role of Medicare in the deficit reduction debate and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

• Health Information Technology and Patient Outcomes: The Role of Organizational and Informational Complementarities Health Information Technology and Patient Outcomes: The Role of Organizational and Informational Complementarities - (National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) USA) - 24-JAN-2013 NBER Working Paper No. 18684 the role of hospital IT adoption on patient outcomes.

• Gaining Ground: Care Management Programs to Reduce Hospital Admissions and Readmissions Among Chronically Ill and Vulnerable Patients Gaining Ground: Care Management Programs to Reduce Hospital Admissions and Readmissions Among Chronically Ill and Vulnerable Patients - (Commonwealth Fund) - 24-JAN-2013 A Case Study Synthesis Report examines the potential of care management programs to address health system fragmentation by improving care coordination and transitions among high-risk patients.

• Faces of the Medicaid Expansion: How Obtaining Medicaid Coverage Impacts Low-Income Adults Faces of the Medicaid Expansion: How Obtaining Medicaid Coverage Impacts Low-Income Adults - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 23-JAN-2013 Kaiser Family Foundation examines the impact of Medicaid on the lives of adults in California, Connecticut, Minnesota, and the District of Columbia, states in which Medicaid expansion has already occurred.

• Getting into Gear for 2014: Findings From a 50-State Survey of Eligibility, Enrollment, Renewal and Cost-Sharing Policies in Medicaid and CHIP, 2012-2013 Getting into Gear for 2014: Findings From a 50-State Survey of Eligibility, Enrollment, Renewal and Cost-Sharing Policies in Medicaid and CHIP, 2012-2013 - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 23-JAN-2013 This survey provides a snapshot of Medicaid and CHIP enrollment and eligibility policies. It highlights the changes that states will need to make in their programs to prepare for the ACA in 2014.

• Stage 3 Is The Time To Greatly Reduce The Number Of Functional Measures In Health Outcomes: ACP Stage 3 Is The Time To Greatly Reduce The Number Of Functional Measures In Health Outcomes: ACP - 17-JAN-2013 A new article Stage looks at 3 Meaningful Use measures as a means of focusing on measuring improvements in patient health outcomes, rather than being a growing collection of functional measures.

• Improving Accuracy Of Quality Measurement Via Electronic Health Records Improving Accuracy Of Quality Measurement Via Electronic Health Records - 17-JAN-2013 A new study demonstrates ways in which quality measurement from EHRs can be improved.

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Examining the Evidence to Define Benefit Adequacy Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Examining the Evidence to Define Benefit Adequacy - (Institute of Medicine (IOM)) - 17-JAN-2013 In a consensus report, the IOM considered the feasibility of defining the adequacy of SNAP allotments, and outlined the data needed to support an evidence-based assessment of SNAP allotment adequacy.

• Why Health, Poverty, and Community Development Are Inseparable Why Health, Poverty, and Community Development Are Inseparable - (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)) - 17-JAN-2013 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has announced the publication, which is available by request from their website. The book, Investing in What Works for America's Communities, examines the ways in which poverty and poor health are linked, and the strategies that are being developed to reduce poverty in America.

• PCORI Funding Announcement: Cycle III Application System Opens PCORI Funding Announcement: Cycle III Application System Opens - (Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) US) - 17-JAN-2013 The application system is now open for Cycle III funding for PCORI Funding Announcements

• Medicaid's Role in Meeting the Long-Term Care Needs of America's Seniors Medicaid's Role in Meeting the Long-Term Care Needs of America's Seniors - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 15-JAN-2013 KFF's issue brief examines Medicaid's role in long-term care needs, and provides state-by-state data on enrollment and expenditures for elderly beneficiaries.

• Confronting Costs: Stabilizing U.S. Health Spending While Moving Toward a High Performance Health Care System Confronting Costs: Stabilizing U.S. Health Spending While Moving Toward a High Performance Health Care System - (Commonwealth Fund) - 11-JAN-2013 This report examines specific ways in with health spending could be limited to a rate no greater than that of long-term growth in GDP.

• Barriers to Meaningful Use in Medicaid: Analysis and Recommendations Barriers to Meaningful Use in Medicaid: Analysis and Recommendations - (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)) - 09-JAN-2013 This study focused on identifying the barriers to achieving Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records unique to health care professionals that serve high proportions of Medicaid-insured individuals and examined whether work environment-related factors or characteristics of the population they serve created barriers to adopting and using EHRs.

• Methods Research for Future Research Needs: Prioritization Criteria Methodology for Future Research Needs Proposals Within the Effective Health Care Program Methods Research for Future Research Needs: Prioritization Criteria Methodology for Future Research Needs Proposals Within the Effective Health Care Program - (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)) - 09-JAN-2013 The objective of this paper is to propose preliminary criteria and a model worksheet that Evidence-based Practice Centers and stakeholders could use when identifying, developing, and prioritizing future research needs.

• Implementing New Private Health Insurance Market Rules Implementing New Private Health Insurance Market Rules - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 08-JAN-2013 This issue brief explains the key provisions in three proposed federal regulations related to the private insurance market under the Affordable Care Act.

• Profile of Rural Health Clinics: Medicare Payments & Common Diagnoses: Review of 2009 Medicare Outpatient Claims Data - (Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research) - 07-JAN-2013 A new Finding Brief provides Medicare billing and reimbursement activity for independent and provider-based Rural Health Clinics.

• States move forward to implement health care law, build health insurance marketplaces States move forward to implement health care law, build health insurance marketplaces - (Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) U.S.) - 07-JAN-2013 Seven more states are now conditionally approved to operate a State-based Exchange (up from 11), and one more (up from one) is conditionally approved to operate a State Partnership Exchange. To date, 20 states and the District of Columbia have been conditionally approved to partially or fully run their marketplaces. The remaining states having until February 15, 2013 to apply for a State Partnership Exchange.

• Limited Evidence To Connect Cost Of Health Care To Quality Limited Evidence To Connect Cost Of Health Care To Quality - 07-JAN-2013 Recent research examines the link between healthcare costs and quality, examining 61 published studies to determine the relationship.

• Health Data Use, Stewardship, and Governance: Ongoing Gaps and Challenges: 7th Annual AMIA Invitational Health Policy Meeting - (American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA)) - 03-JAN-2013 Held on December 12-13, 2012, the focus of this meeting was to the further understanding and use of of health data, using emerging technology-enabled data.

• Roadmap to Reduce Disparities Infographic Roadmap to Reduce Disparities Infographic - (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)) - 02-JAN-2013 As part of a effort to reduce disparities, RWJF will host a Twitter Campaign during January. Their infographic on reducing disparities is available.

December 2012

• Collecting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data in Electronic Health Records - Workshop Summary Collecting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data in Electronic Health Records - Workshop Summary - (Institute of Medicine (IOM)) - 20-DEC-2012 The results of an IOM workshop held on October 12, 2012, this report looks at efforts to reduce health disparities of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people by including sexual orientation and gender identity in the electronic health record.

• Perceptions of Electronic Health Records and Their Effect on the Quality of Care: Results from a Survey of Patients in Four States - (Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.) - 20-DEC-2012 This report on patient attitudes towards the electronic health record looks at perceptions of EHRs, their effect on the patient-provider relationship, quality of care, and views toward data security and confidentiality.

• The Story of Medicare: A Timeline The Story of Medicare: A Timeline - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 18-DEC-2012 This video presents a visual timeline of Medicare's history.

• Measuring Progress Toward Accountable Care Measuring Progress Toward Accountable Care - (Commonwealth Fund) - 18-DEC-2012 This report examines 59 hospital-based organizations that were members of a collaborative created to support the transition to accountable care.

• Comparative Effectiveness Research and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research in Public Health Settings: Design, Analysis and Funding Considerations Comparative Effectiveness Research and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research in Public Health Settings: Design, Analysis and Funding Considerations - (University of Kentucky) - 14-DEC-2012 This presentation looks at the role of public health in PCOR and CER.

• Medicaid/CHIP Participation Among Children and Parents Medicaid/CHIP Participation Among Children and Parents - (Urban Institute (UI)) - 05-DEC-2012 This report looks at the levels at which most states have maintained or even improved children's access to health care over the last several years by expanding eligibility and improving enrollment and retention in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.

• Event Information: Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? - Environmental Quality Event Information: Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? - Environmental Quality - (Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) U.S.) - 04-DEC-2012 This event will be held on Monday, December 17, 2012 12:00 pm, EST. The 45-minute session will provide an overview of Environmental Quality, number 12 of Leading Health Indicator (LHI) topics.

November 2012

• Building the Electronic Clinical Data Infrastructure to Improve Patient Outcomes: CER Project Profiles - (AcademyHealth) - 30-NOV-2012 This report provides background on the programs and includes project profiles of the PROSPECT, DRN, and Enhanced Registry projects, and the EDM Forum.

• Faces of the Medicaid Expansion: Experiences and Profiles of Uninsured Adults Who Could Gain Coverage Faces of the Medicaid Expansion: Experiences and Profiles of Uninsured Adults Who Could Gain Coverage - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 30-NOV-2012 In two papers, the perspectives of individuals without health insurance, who would become eligible under Medicaid expansion in 2014 is presented. The papers are based on interviews with adults in Cincinnati, Houston, Las Vegas and Tampa.

• U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Releases Report to Congress on High-Priority Evidence Gaps for Clinical Preventive Services U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Releases Report to Congress on High-Priority Evidence Gaps for Clinical Preventive Services - 29-NOV-2012 The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has released its "Second Annual Report to Congress on High-Priority Evidence Gaps for Clinical Preventive Services." The report highlights high-priority evidence gaps that deserve further examination, and if filled are likely to result in important new recommendations.

• Small Firm Self-Insurance Under the Affordable Care Act Small Firm Self-Insurance Under the Affordable Care Act - (Commonwealth Fund) - 28-NOV-2012 This report looks at the economic repercussions of the exemption for self-insured plans in the Affordable Care Act.

• The Current and Future Role and Impact of Medicaid in Rural Health - (Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) USA) - 28-NOV-2012 RUPRI examines the impact of Medicaid as a safety net in rural communities, as well as being a source of health care financing for the rural health system.

• The Health Impact Project: Advancing Smarter Policies for Healthier Communities, A Progress Report The Health Impact Project: Advancing Smarter Policies for Healthier Communities, A Progress Report - (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)) - 27-NOV-2012 In a progress report, RWJF describes the status of their Health Impact Project, which looks at areas such as planning, transportation, education and housing, to determine their outcomes on health.

• Community Transformational Grants: Funded National Networks Community Transformational Grants: Funded National Networks - (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)) - 26-NOV-2012 CDC has announced the three Dissemination and 3 Acceleration grants that will be funded under their Community Transformational Grants program. These grants will support dissemination and amplification of Evidence-based strategies to rural and frontier areas and areas with health disparities.

• Competency Examination Program Competency Examination Program - (Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, HHS (ONC)) - 26-NOV-2012 Northern Virginia Community College has been awarded a two-year cooperative agreement to develop health information technology competency examinations for individuals completing short-term, non-degree training programs, and members of the workforce with relevant experience or others types of training.

• Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Adopts Revised Methodology Standards, Okays Targeted Research Topics, at Boston Board Meeting Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Adopts Revised Methodology Standards, Okays Targeted Research Topics, at Boston Board Meeting - (Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) US) - 23-NOV-2012 PCORI has adopted 47 revised Methodology Standards to guide the conduct of patient-centered outcomes research.

• Uninsurance Is Not Just a Minority Issue: White Americans Are a Large Share of the Growth from 2000 to 2010 Uninsurance Is Not Just a Minority Issue: White Americans Are a Large Share of the Growth from 2000 to 2010 - (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)) - 23-NOV-2012 This report looks at the changing numbers of whites and minority groups who are without health insurance.

• Management Issue 9: Integrity and Security of Health Information Systems and Data Management Issue 9: Integrity and Security of Health Information Systems and Data - (Office of Inspector General, HHS (OIG) US) - 23-NOV-2012 The report, 2012 Top Management & Performance Challenges, finds that keeping health information systems secure is a top management challenge for the Department of Health & Human Services.

• Cross-Cutting Issues: Progress in Implementing Selected Medicaid Provisions of the Affordable Care Act: A 10-State Analysis Cross-Cutting Issues: Progress in Implementing Selected Medicaid Provisions of the Affordable Care Act: A 10-State Analysis - (Urban Institute (UI)) - 20-NOV-2012 Using data from 10 states (Alabama, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Virginia), this report analyzes the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, with particular emphasis on modernization of Medicaid.

• High-Performance Health Care for Vulnerable Populations: A Policy Framework for Promoting Accountable Care in Medicaid High-Performance Health Care for Vulnerable Populations: A Policy Framework for Promoting Accountable Care in Medicaid - (Commonwealth Fund) - 16-NOV-2012 This fund report discusses the ways in which Medicare and Medicaid can work cooperatively to develop a common framework for providers.

• Black and Immigrant: Exploring the Effects of Ethnicity and Foreign-Born Status on Infant Health Black and Immigrant: Exploring the Effects of Ethnicity and Foreign-Born Status on Infant Health - (Migration Policy Institute (MPI) USA) - 16-NOV-2012 In this report on the health outcomes of black immigrant mothers, researchers found that, while they have fewer preterm or low-birth-weight children than their American-born peers, they are more likely to experience adverse birth outcomes than other immigrant and U.S.-born women.

• Community Partnerships for Older Adults Community Partnerships for Older Adults - (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)) - 15-NOV-2012 This project report from an eight-year, RWJF initiative, discusses various projects meant to improve long-term care for the elderly.

• New CDC Vital Signs: Racial Disparities in Breast Cancer Severity New CDC Vital Signs: Racial Disparities in Breast Cancer Severity - (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)) - 15-NOV-2012 In this study from the CDC, disparities in breast cancer severity and survival are examined.

• Snapshots: The Prevalence and Cost of Deductibles in Employer Sponsored Insurance Snapshots: The Prevalence and Cost of Deductibles in Employer Sponsored Insurance - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 14-NOV-2012 In a Snapshot of Health Care Costs, KFF examines the increase in costs to the employee for employer sponsored health insurance. This study looks specifically at the increasing cost of the deductible required of the enrollees.

• Transportation and Health: A Conversation With Seattle/King County Health Director Transportation and Health: A Conversation With Seattle/King County Health Director - (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)) - 08-NOV-2012 In an interview which includes text and video, David Fleming, public health director of Seattle and King County in Washington State, discusses the impact of innovative transportation options on health and community.

• Paying Wisely: Reforming Incentives to Promote Evidence-Based Decisions at the Point of Care - (Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.) - 07-NOV-2012 The Center on Health Care Effectiveness has issued a white paper which suggests ways in which policymakers might reform financial incentives in the fee-for-service payment systems to encourage evidence-based care.

• NLM's Disaster Information Management Research Center Creates Web Page - Hurricane Sandy: Health-Related Resources NLM's Disaster Information Management Research Center Creates Web Page - Hurricane Sandy: Health-Related Resources - 07-NOV-2012 The new web page includes links to overviews, state specific pages, cleanup and recovery information, mental health information, multi-language resources, social media information, apps and widgets, and more on Hurricane Sandy.

• Reform in Action: Equity in the Context of Health Reform Reform in Action: Equity in the Context of Health Reform - (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)) - 07-NOV-2012 This toolkit from RWJF looks at provisions in the Affordable Care Act which attempt to address health disparities. Included is the main report, videos, and fact sheets which address the main points of the report.

• About Half of the States Are Implementing Patient-Centered Medical Homes for Their Medicaid Populations About Half of the States Are Implementing Patient-Centered Medical Homes for Their Medicaid Populations - (Commonwealth Fund) - 06-NOV-2012 Commonwealth Fund discusses a report in "Health Affairs" which looks at the economic ramifications of 25 states' changes to patient-centered medical homes for individuals enrolled in Medicaid.

• Health Equity: Updates from the Field Health Equity: Updates from the Field - (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)) - 06-NOV-2012 Focusing on sessions at APHA, this blog posting discusses work that is being done to decrease the level of health disparities nationwide.

• Finding Common Ground on SNAP for Agriculture, Health, and the Economy Finding Common Ground on SNAP for Agriculture, Health, and the Economy - (Healthy Farms, Healthy People Coalition USA) - 05-NOV-2012 This issue brief examines the effect of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)on health, agriculture, and the economy.

• Jobs Without Benefits: The Health Insurance Crisis Faced by Small Businesses and Their Workers Jobs Without Benefits: The Health Insurance Crisis Faced by Small Businesses and Their Workers - (Commonwealth Fund) - 02-NOV-2012 In this issue brief and accompanying chartbook, Commonwealth Fund examines the decreasing number of employees in small firm who were offered and eligible for health insurance through their job.

• A New Initiative To Put Outcomes Measurement At The Center Of Health Reform A New Initiative To Put Outcomes Measurement At The Center Of Health Reform - (Health Affairs) - 02-NOV-2012 Health Affairs comments on U.S. and European initiatives in market-based health reforms.

• Consumer-directed Health Plans: Do They Deliver? Consumer-directed Health Plans: Do They Deliver? - (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)) - 01-NOV-2012 This synthesis report and policy brief from RWJF, look at the impact of Consumer-directed health plans on the insurance market.

• Two new consumer web sites featuring Cochrane evidence launched Two new consumer web sites featuring Cochrane evidence launched - (Cochrane Collaboration) - 01-NOV-2012 The IN-DEEP project, an Australian-Italian partnership, focuses on providing knowledge translation for consumers.

• Health Care Proposals in the 2012 Presidential Campaign Health Care Proposals in the 2012 Presidential Campaign - (UCLA Center for Health Policy Research) - 01-NOV-2012 UCLA Center for Health Policy Research has assembled this side-by-side breakdown of the Republican & Democratic health care plans.

October 2012

• Public Health and Hospitals: Resources for Partnerships Public Health and Hospitals: Resources for Partnerships - (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)) - 31-OCT-2012 In a news report from the Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association, RWJF looked at several presentations that focused on the need for collaboration between public health agencies and hospital.

• Best Bets for Reducing Medicare Costs for Dual Eligible Beneficiaries: Assessing the Evidence Best Bets for Reducing Medicare Costs for Dual Eligible Beneficiaries: Assessing the Evidence - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 31-OCT-2012 This study reviewed various projects and demonstrations to evaluate the best methods for reducing costs incurred by dual eligible beneficiaries.

• How Are States Building the Technology to Support Health Care Reform? How Are States Building the Technology to Support Health Care Reform? - (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)) - 31-OCT-2012 RWJF reports on state efforts to implement IT systems that will permit consumers to inquire about their eligibility for public health insurance benefits or tax subsidies, and enhance their ability to enroll in health insurance coverage.

• Data-Based Planning for Effective Prevention: State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroups - (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)) - 26-OCT-2012 This document is aimed at policymakers involved with substance abuse and mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. The aim of the publication is to discuss the key principles, core expectations, and anticipated trajectory of the State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroups, with an emphasis on outcomes-based prevention.

• Best Practices for Conducting Economic Evaluations in Health Care: A Systematic Review of Quality Assessment Tools Best Practices for Conducting Economic Evaluations in Health Care: A Systematic Review of Quality Assessment Tools - (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)) - 26-OCT-2012 This systematic review examines the checklists used to evaluate best practices for conducting and reporting on economic evaluations in health care.

• Usefulness of Economic Evaluation Data in Systematic Reviews of Evidence Usefulness of Economic Evaluation Data in Systematic Reviews of Evidence - (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)) - 26-OCT-2012 This detailed analysis looks at the usefulness of incorporating economic evaluation data into systematic reviews of medical interventions.

• Assessing the Impact of Economic Evidence on Policymakers in Health Care--A Systematic Review Assessing the Impact of Economic Evidence on Policymakers in Health Care--A Systematic Review - (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)) - 26-OCT-2012 A new systematic review looks at the relationship between economic evidence and healthcare decision making in the United States.

• Why Does Medicaid Spending Vary Across States: A Chartbook of Factors Driving State Spending Why Does Medicaid Spending Vary Across States: A Chartbook of Factors Driving State Spending - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 25-OCT-2012 This chartbook looks at the factors that influence Medicaid spending on a state-by-state basis.

• Quantifying the Effects of Health Insurance Rate Review Quantifying the Effects of Health Insurance Rate Review - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 25-OCT-2012 Kaiser Family Foundation analyzes government efforts to ensure that insurance premium increases are justifiable and provide value

• Medicaid Today; Preparing for Tomorrow A Look at State Medicaid Program Spending, Enrollment and Policy Trends Results from a 50-State Medicaid Budget Survey for State Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013 Medicaid Today; Preparing for Tomorrow A Look at State Medicaid Program Spending, Enrollment and Policy Trends Results from a 50-State Medicaid Budget Survey for State Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013 - (Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) US) - 25-OCT-2012 This report looks at policy changes in reimbursement, eligibility, benefits, delivery systems and long-term care in Medicaid spending, enrollment and policy initiatives for FY 2012 and FY 2013.

• CDC girding to open its cloud to public health CDC girding to open its cloud to public health - 24-OCT-2012 This article anticipates the potential effects of CDC's plan to open Informatics Research and Development Activity's cloud to federal, state, and local health departments.

• Health Insurance Exchange: Exchange Implementation Workplan Health Insurance Exchange: Exchange Implementation Workplan - (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)) - 19-OCT-2012 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has released a draft blueprint to assist in the achieving certification of State Based Exchanges.

• "My NGC" and "My NQMC" Added to AHRQ's National Guideline and Quality Measures Websites "My NGC" and "My NQMC" Added to AHRQ's National Guideline and Quality Measures Websites - (ECRI Institute US) - 15-OCT-2012 AHRQ has released two personalization tools aimed at making , National Guideline Clearinghouse and National Quality Measures Clearinghouse easier to use. The tools allow registered users to access recently viewed items, save favorite summaries or quality measures, and sign up to receive custom e-mail alerts.

• HHS Announces Next Steps To Promote Use Of Electronic Health Records HHS Announces Next Steps To Promote Use Of Electronic Health Records - (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)) - 15-OCT-2012 HHS announced the initiation of HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health), which will enable doctors, health care professionals and hospitals to qualify for Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments when they adopt and meaningfully use certified electronic health record (EHR) technology.

August 2012

• Spending More On Trauma Care Doesn't Translate to Higher Survival Rates Spending More On Trauma Care Doesn't Translate to Higher Survival Rates - 13-AUG-2012

• Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute requesting grant proposals Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute requesting grant proposals - 08-AUG-2012

July 2012

• PCORI is now accepting public comment on the draft report. The comment period began Monday, July 23, 2012, and concludes at 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, September 14, 2012. PCORI is now accepting public comment on the draft report. The comment period began Monday, July 23, 2012, and concludes at 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, September 14, 2012. - 27-JUL-2012

• Commonwealth Fund Names David Blumenthal, M.D., as Its Next President Commonwealth Fund Names David Blumenthal, M.D., as Its Next President - (Commonwealth Fund) - 27-JUL-2012

• Predominately black-serving hospitals provide poorer care Predominately black-serving hospitals provide poorer care - 20-JUL-2012

• Bariatric Surgery Fails to Shrink Healthcare Costs Bariatric Surgery Fails to Shrink Healthcare Costs - 18-JUL-2012

• Health Information Technology and Quality Webinar: Using Data for Evidence-Based Quality Improvement; July 27, 2012 -2:00 pm EST Health Information Technology and Quality Webinar: Using Data for Evidence-Based Quality Improvement; July 27, 2012 -2:00 pm EST - 18-JUL-2012

• Effort advances to build national electronic health information infrastructure Effort advances to build national electronic health information infrastructure - 11-JUL-2012

• More Sharing Services Physical Health Problems Bring Mental Health Problems, Demand for Services More Sharing Services Physical Health Problems Bring Mental Health Problems, Demand for Services - 08-JUL-2012

• AHRQ: A Systematic Review of Methods for Health Care Technology Horizon Scanning AHRQ: A Systematic Review of Methods for Health Care Technology Horizon Scanning - (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)) - 02-JUL-2012

June 2012

• Supreme Court rules healthcare bill is constitutional Supreme Court rules healthcare bill is constitutional - 29-JUN-2012

• Reducing the risk of outpatient medical errors Reducing the risk of outpatient medical errors - 19-JUN-2012