How Primary-Care Physicians Are Handling the Influx of Newly Insured September 18, 2015 Perspective In this column for The Wall Street Journal’s Think Tank, Kaiser’s President Drew Altman is joined by The Commonwealth Fund’s President David Blumenthal to discuss the impact of the Affordable Care Act’s coverage expansion on the primary care delivery system.
Faces of Medicaid September 17, 2015 Video The “Faces of Medicaid” video series highlights the range of experience and diverse roles that Medicaid plays in the lives of Americans across the U.S. These stories of individuals on Medicaid go beyond statistics and provide insight into the range of personal experiences with the program.
New Analysis Shows States with Medicaid Expansion Experienced Declines in Uninsured Hospital Discharges September 17, 2015 Issue Brief Expanded health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is having a major impact on hospital payer mix across the country. Similar to other reports recently released, new data examining hospital discharges in 16 states with data through the second quarter in 2014 show increases in Medicaid and declines in uninsured or self-pay discharges in states that implemented the Medicaid expansion. These trends hold true for all hospital discharges as well as for specific services such as mental health or asthma. This information adds to a growing body of evidence indicating that coverage expansions are affecting providers and may lead to decreases in uncompensated care for the uninsured.
The California Health Care Landscape August 26, 2015 Fact Sheet This fact sheet provides an overview of population health, health coverage, and the health care delivery system in California in the era of health reform.
The ‘Private Option’ Medicaid Expansion in Arkansas Has Helped Reduce the Uninsured Rate and Uncompensated Care Costs While Boosting the State’s ACA Marketplace August 26, 2015 News Release A new issue brief from the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that Arkansas’ “private option” Medicaid expansion has helped reduce the number of uninsured and bring down uncompensated care costs while strengthening the state’s ACA marketplace. A Look at the Private Option in Arkansas draws upon early data as well as…
A Look at the Private Option in Arkansas August 26, 2015 Issue Brief Based on stakeholder interviews and early data on coverage, reduced uncompensated care costs, and other topics, this issue brief provides an initial look at implementation of Arkansas’ Section 1115 Medicaid expansion demonstration waiver to require most adults newly eligible for Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion to enroll in Marketplace plans.
Will GOP Candidates’ Positions on Obamacare Matter in Crowded Field? August 25, 2015 Perspective In this column for The Wall Street Journal’s Think Tank, Drew Altman analyzes the politics of Republican Affordable Care Act replacement plans and the challenges all Republican candidates will face distinguishing themselves from others on the ACA in a crowded primary field.
Primary Care Providers’ Views Of Recent Trends In Health Care Delivery And Payment August 5, 2015 Poll Finding A new survey from The Commonwealth Fund and The Kaiser Family Foundation asked primary care providers—physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants—about their experiences with and reactions to recent changes in health care delivery and payment. Providers’ views are generally positive regarding the impact of health information technology on quality of care, but they are more divided on the increased use of medical homes and accountable care organizations. Overall, providers are more negative about the increased reliance on quality metrics to assess their performance and about financial penalties.
Medicaid Expansion in Pennsylvania: Transition from Waiver to Traditional Coverage August 3, 2015 Fact Sheet This fact sheet describes Pennsylvania’s approved 1115 waiver demonstration, Healthy PA, which will implement the ACA’s Medicaid expansion.
Will the Iran Debate Defuse Partisan Battles Over Obamacare? July 23, 2015 Perspective In this column for The Wall Street Journal’s Think Tank, Drew Altman discusses whether the debate about the Iran deal may bring a respite for the Affordable Care Act from politics as usual, and how long it might last.