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Substance use disorders contribute to a growing number of deaths, yet they often go undiagnosed and untreated. While nearly three-quarters of Medicaid enrollees with a diagnosed substance use disorder utilized some type of treatment service in 2020, medication treatment rates varied widely, being much lower for alcohol use disorder than opioid use disorder, and lower among Black enrollees and youth compared to their counterparts. Treatment rates varied considerably across states and average Medicaid spending for people with a diagnosed substance use disorder is over twice as high compared to those without a substance use disorder. from KFF https://ift.tt/WoHcjLl
With the new omnibus bill, PEPFAR has been reauthorized until March 25, 2025, without the inclusion of any controversial provisions or changes related to abortion, sought by some. Still, while this latest step provides the program with some short-term certainty, including signaling bipartisan support (albeit limited), it marks a significant departure from PEPFAR’s past. from KFF https://ift.tt/5CYmPre
In his latest column, KFF President and CEO Drew Altman examines how the politics around the Medicaid program have changed as it has grown much larger and more popular, making it even tougher to block grant the program to cut federal Medicaid spending and hand it off to the states. from KFF https://ift.tt/RMo7VZP
April 3 Virtual Event – Primary Care Check Up: Why It Can Be Hard to Get an Appointment and How to Fix It
April 3 Virtual Event – Primary Care Check Up: Why It Can Be Hard to Get an Appointment and How to Fix It
Primary care has historically served as the backbone of our nation’s health care system, with patients often maintaining a relationship with a primary-care provider to guide their care over a period of years. Yet, the U.S. emphasizes primary care less than other high-income countries. And a shortage of primary-care providers and changes in the marketplace … More from KFF https://ift.tt/MldEQbJ
Gross Medicare Spending on Ozempic and Other GLP-1s Is Already Skyrocketing – Even Though Medicare Cannot Cover The Drugs for Weight Loss
Gross Medicare Spending on Ozempic and Other GLP-1s Is Already Skyrocketing – Even Though Medicare Cannot Cover The Drugs for Weight Loss
A KFF analysis shows that gross total Medicare spending on Ozempic and other similar drugs has increased dramatically in recent years – even though Medicare is explicitly prohibited by law from covering the drugs for obesity. That’s because Medicare now covers the drugs, known as GLP-1s, for other medically accepted indications, including to treat diabetes. … More from KFF https://ift.tt/8HaX43u
This policy watch analyzes the latest data on Medicare Part D spending on GLP-1 drugs, initially approved to treat diabetes but in high demand as treatments for obesity, and shows how spending on these drugs has increased substantially in recent years. Medicare is prohibited from covering drugs used for weight loss, but Medicare Part D plans can cover GLP-1s for their other medically-accepted indications, including to treat diabetes. from KFF https://ift.tt/eik70Ld
Gaps in Data About Hospital and Health System Finances Limit Transparency for Policymakers and Patients
Gaps in Data About Hospital and Health System Finances Limit Transparency for Policymakers and Patients
This brief describes gaps in data about hospital and health system finances and business practices that limit transparency for policymakers, researchers, and consumers. It examines data issues involving finances, debt collection practices, charity care, prices, ownership, and the 340B Drug Pricing Program. from KFF https://ift.tt/l0Y98ZN
In advance of oral arguments about access to medication abortion before the Supreme Court on March 26, KFF examines how a Court ruling for the plaintiffs would limit access to mifepristone blocking its use in telehealth and distribution through pharmacies, including in states where abortion is legal and protected. In addition, it could potentially weaken … More from KFF https://ift.tt/6pfS1Zl
What’s at Stake for Access to Medication Abortion and the FDA in the Supreme Court Case FDA v. the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine?
What’s at Stake for Access to Medication Abortion and the FDA in the Supreme Court Case FDA v. the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine?
The Supreme Court will be hearing oral arguments for the case FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine. This brief explains the issues at stake before the court and their implications for the drug regulatory process and medication abortion access throughout the country. from KFF https://ift.tt/tUL4rZS
Most patients do not know about the new surprise billing protections and likely also do not know of resources available to seek recourse for incorrect medical bills. This brief provides resources to privately insured patients who receive surprise balance bills and also summarizes relevant policies and how they apply to balance billing. from KFF https://ift.tt/EuMx2aL
This issue brief examines well-child visit rates overall and for selected characteristics before and after the pandemic began and discusses recent state and federal policy changes that could impact children’s preventive care. More than half of children under age 21 enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP received a well-child visit in 2019, but the share fell to 48% in 2020, the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. from KFF https://ift.tt/MFnXWjP
KFF president and CEO Drew Altman explains why data and facts, policy plans and lists of accomplishments do not connect with many voters. Understanding the symbolic dimensions of politics and issues is critical for experts. We can reach a share of the public with facts and data but need additional strategies to reach everyone, including storytelling and trusted messengers. from KFF https://ift.tt/xMLk3c4
KFF takes a new look at the continued impact of the Hyde Amendment, the federal ban on payment for abortion services, in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision. At a moment when all eyes are on states that have banned abortion, the Hyde Amendment remains a barrier to abortion care for people with … More from KFF https://ift.tt/bmejG4Q
Adult dental care can lead to high out of pocket costs for consumers, especially for those with private insurance coverage. This post analyzes a proposed provision in the HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2025, and possible implications for consumers who have Marketplace coverage. from KFF https://ift.tt/AtXdbpz
1 in 8 Voters Say Abortion Is Most Important to Their Vote: They Lean Democratic, Support Biden, and Want Abortion to Be Legal
1 in 8 Voters Say Abortion Is Most Important to Their Vote: They Lean Democratic, Support Biden, and Want Abortion to Be Legal
About 1 in 8 voters (12%) now say that abortion is the most important issue for their vote in the 2024 elections, highlighting how the issue could motivate groups of voters who largely say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, a new KFF Health Tracking Poll finds. The issue resonates with certain … More from KFF https://ift.tt/CxdDteo
In November 2023, CMS finalized a 3.4% decrease in the physician fee schedule conversion factor, a key aspect of payment rates under the Medicare program, resulting in a 1.25% decrease in overall payments that is expected to vary by specialty. This issue brief answers key questions about how physicians are paid under the Medicare program, and reviews policy options under discussion for payment reform. from KFF https://ift.tt/Exridhs
Three Charts: The Cost and Coverage of Opill—the First FDA-approved Over-the-Counter Daily Oral Contraceptive Pill in the United States
Three Charts: The Cost and Coverage of Opill—the First FDA-approved Over-the-Counter Daily Oral Contraceptive Pill in the United States
The first FDA-approved over-the-counter daily oral contraceptive pill in the United States— Perrigo’s Opill— is now available for pre-order at major online retailers and will soon be available in stores. Although the new over-the-counter pill could broaden access to contraceptive options in the United States, KFF research suggests consumers are likely to face some hurdles … More from KFF https://ift.tt/MdCQzmB
The Affordable Care Act does not require businesses to provide health benefits to their workers, but applicable large employers may face penalties if they don’t make affordable coverage available. The employer shared responsibility provision of the Affordable Care Act penalizes employers who either do not offer coverage or do not offer coverage that meets minimum value and affordability standards. These penalties apply to firms with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees. This flowchart illustrates how those employer responsibilities work. from KFF https://ift.tt/AtocaIx
From the 2023 KFF/LA Times Survey of Immigrants - the largest nationally representative survey focused on this group - comes five key facts about information gaps regarding public charge rules and how these information gaps can prevent immigrants from getting financial assistance they need. from KFF https://ift.tt/dbwgazo