Health News Index March/April, 2005

The March/April Kaiser Health Poll Report featured topic explores the public’s views on the Medicare prescription drug benefit. This featured topic covers the historical perspective from before the law was passed as well as current views and understanding of the benefit, including how seniors are getting information about this plan, whether they think they have enough information and whether or not they plan to enroll. Additionally, the featured topic explores the public’s support for other government policies aimed at lowering prescription drug costs.

The March/April Kaiser Health Poll Report also includes Health Security Watch, Health Care Priorities and the Kaiser/Harvard Health News Index.

• Topline/Survey

Lack of health insurance coverage among millions of Americans remains one of this nation’s most pressing social challenges, but one that is often not well understood. Common knowledge about who the uninsured are, why they are uninsured, the difference health coverage makes, as well as the impact on all our lives of having a large uninsured population — is riddled with misconceptions and myths. Basic facts about the uninsured, outlined here under the most common myths, are essential to understanding how we might address the growing numbers of Americans without health insurance.

Fact Sheet (.pdf)

The Kaiser Family Foundation, in conjunction with the Morris K. Udall Foundation and the American Public Health Association hosted an event on May 9, 2005 which focused on key Indian health issues, including the availability of mental health services, the adequacy of federal funding, and priorities for Indian health.

Agenda (.pdf)Speaker Biographies (.pdf) A webcast of this event is available.

The event highlighted research that appears in the May 2005 issue of the American Journal of Public Health, dedicated to the health and well-being of American Indians and Alaska Natives. This issue was published in partnership with the Kaiser Family Foundation and the reports within this issue examine the problems, progress, and challenges that exist in addressing health issues related to this population.

American Journal of Public Health: May 2005 (free access)

In recent years there has been much discussion about states’ use of creative financing to draw down additional federal funds for Medicaid financing. Some suggest a curb on these practices and the President’s FY2006 budget includes provisions targeting intergovernmental transfers (IGTs). The Commission has produced a fact sheet and briefs on Medicaid financing issues.

Medicaid Financing Issues: Intergovernmental Transfers and Fiscal Integrity

– An Overview of IGTs, UPLs, and DSH – Issue Brief

Medicaid’s Federal-State Partnership: Alternatives for Improving Financial Integrity – Report

Financing the Medicaid Program: The Many Roles of Federal and State Matching Funds – Policy Brief

Medicaid: Issues In Restructuring Federal Financing

This national survey of 17,685 seniors captures detailed information about their prescription drug use, coverage and experiences. It also includes state-specific comparative data for seniors in 12 states — California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee and Washington. This 2003 survey was conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, the Commonwealth Fund and Tufts-New England Medical Center. An article presenting its findings was published by Health Affairs as a web exclusive on April 19, 2005. An additional chart with expanded state data was posted on July 14, 2005.

News Release

Health Affairs Article (free access)- Abstract– Full Article (.pdf)

Additional Charts and Tables

This study assesses the impact of the requirement that low-income people with Medicare meet an asset test in order to receive additional help paying premiums and cost-sharing under the new Medicare drug benefit.

Report (.pdf)

American Journal of Managed Care Article: Who Will Be Denied Medicare Prescription Drug Subsidies Because of the Asset Test? (January 2006) (.pdf)

New Directions for Medicaid Section 1115 Waivers: Policy Implications of Recent Waiver Activity

Seventeen states have had comprehensive Section 1115 waivers approved since January 2001. This brief provides an overview of this recent waiver activity and reviews the implications for coverage and access to care.

Policy Brief (.pdf)

This paper explores the role of MaineCare, Maine’s Medicaid program, in the state’s health care system and the relationship between MaineCare and the Dirigo Health plan that the state approved in 2003.

Report (.pdf)

This brief reviews the issues and the evidence underpinning five broad areas of policy initiatives that flow from recommendations made in the Institute of Medicine’s 2002 report, Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Care.

Issue Brief (.pdf)

The report describes the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain, following prescription drugs as they move from manufacturers, to wholesale distributors, to pharmacies, and ultimately to patients. The report describes both the physical distribution of drugs through the chain, as well as the flow of money and the financial relationships among the key players. It was prepared for the Foundation by Dan Mendelson and The Health Strategies Consultancy.

Report (.pdf)