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)

This report describes and reviews various options to address prescription drug spending growth, including a description of each cost-containment strategy, its use by private or public payers, and a discussion of known evidence about its effectiveness or cost-saving potential. It was prepared for the Kaiser Family Foundation by Jack Hoadley, Ph.D., of the Health Policy Institute at Georgetown University.

Report (.pdf)

This report examines the formulary and cost management provisions of the final Medicare regulations implementing the new Medicare Part D drug benefit that was passed as part of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, and their implications for people with Medicare who enroll in new drug plans and their access to medications. It was prepared for the Foundation by Jack Hoadley, Ph.D., of the Health Policy Institute at Georgetown University.

Issue Brief (.pdf)

This table highlights changes in the appeal and grievance procedures included in the proposed and final regulations implementing the drug benefit. It was prepared for the Foundation by Sara Rosenbaum, J.D., of the George Washington University School of Public Health.

Issue Brief (.pdf)

This issue brief examines the 26 new Medicare Advantage PPO regions and their implications for beneficiaries. The paper describes the characteristics of the new Medicare Advantage regions and the extent to which Medicare Advantage plans are already available in each region. It highlights the substantial gap between the current availability of Medicare Advantage health plans, including Medicare HMOs, PPOs and private fee-for-service plans, throughout the country and that intended for 2006.

Issue Brief (.pdf)

One State’s Medicaid Managed Care Formulary Operations: A Look at Pennsylvania, 2001-2002

This report examines formulary implementation under mandatory Medicaid managed care in Pennsylvania between 2001 and 2002. It looks at one state during a yearlong period; formulary operations are likely to vary across states and programs and over time. The report includes findings about Pennsylvania’s formulary operation and observations about improving the system.

Report (.pdf)

Generation M2: Media in the Lives of 8-18 Year-olds – Report

The study, Generation M²: Media in the Lives of 8-18 Year-olds, examined media use among a nationally representative sample of more than 2,000 3rd through 12th graders who completed detailed questionnaires, including nearly 700 self-selected participants who also maintained seven-day media diaries.

See the 2010 report

Full Report (.pdf)

Introduction (.pdf)

Section 2: Methods (.pdf)

Section 3: The Household Media Environment (.pdf)

Section 4: Use of Individual Media (.pdf)

Section 5: Overall Media Time (.pdf)

Section 6: Relationship of Media Environment to Media Use (.pdf)

Section 7: Relationship of Media Use to Individual Traits (.pdf)

Section 8: Concluding Comments (.pdf)

Footnotes & References (.pdf)

Appendix 1: Toplines (.pdf)

Appendix 2: Methodology (.pdf)

Appendix 3: Tables on Household Media Environment (.pdf)

Appendix 4: Tables on Individual Media Use (.pdf)

Appendix 5: Tables on Overall Media Use (.pdf)

Appendix 6: Tables on Relationship of Media Environment to Media Use (.pdf)

Appendix 7: Tables on Relationship of Media Use to Individual Traits (.pdf)

Overview and Briefing Charts

This chartpack reviews the President’s FY 2006 budget request to Congress and highlights overall budget assumptions and funding for major health programs. It begins with a description of the federal budget process, followed by an overview of federal surplus/deficit spending patterns dating back to 1969. It then turns to summary information on the overall composition of the Administration’s budget, followed by the President’s proposed funding for some of the major programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Chartpack (.pdf)