Americans aren’t thinking a lot about the poor these days. A new survey by NPR, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government found that only about one in 10 Americans names poverty, welfare, or something similar as one of the two top issues government should address. Nevertheless, when they are asked about it directly, most Americans think that poverty is still a problem in this country, even in these generally prosperous times. However, the survey found the public is divided on why poverty is a problem and on what should be done about it. Furthermore, the survey highlights the experiences and problems of low-income Americans.Summary of Findings (.pdf)

Toplines/Survey (.pdf)

Some think they could be the biggest news for women since the pill. What are they? Microbicides. Scientists around the world are working to develop gels, creams, and other products that destroy or disable the viruses and bacteria that cause HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). While microbicides are not yet available, some public health experts believe they could hold promise as a method of prevention that women could initiate themselves. So, what, if any, role could microbicides play in addressing the global AIDS crisis? Could they really help curb the spread of other STDs? Is early research yielding real hope or are initial reports just hype? And what would it take to make microbicides a reality?

A panel of experts, including Polly Harrison, PhD, Director of the Alliance for Microbicide Development; Tina Hoff, Vice President, Public Health Information and Partnerships, Kaiser Family Foundation; Zeda Rosenberg, MD, Scientific Director, Family Health International; Jacqueline E. Darroch, PhD Senior Vice President and Vice President for Research, Alan Guttmacher Institute; and Steven W. Schondelmeyer, PhD, Professor of Pharmaceutical Economics, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy discussed at an Emerging Issues in Reproductive Health Briefing discussed the future of microbicides, what it would take to bring them to market, and what they would mean for HIV and other STD prevention

• Agenda
• Resource List
• Biographies
• Condoms
• Issue Update
• Webcast of the briefing

• Fact Sheet: Condoms

Women comprise a growing share of new cases of AIDS in the United States. In 1986, women only represented 7% of new cases of AIDS. By 1999 that share had risen to nearly one quarter. Not only do women represent an increasing share of persons with AIDS, today they represent 30 percent of new HIV infections. Women of color, particularly African Americans, have been hardest hit among women.

This report provides an overview of the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on women. It draws from recent data and research on the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS among women, including data on cases and mortality; health services use and coverage; and attitudinal data from several recent national surveys. Key Facts presents current snapshots and trends over time, and examines the impact of the epidemic on women generally, as well as the disproportionate impact on minority women.

This report and a related fact sheet on Women and HIV/AIDS were developed for a Capitol Hill Briefing on Women and HIV/AIDS. For more information on the Foundation’s briefing series, see the Capitol Hill Briefing Series on HIV/AIDS page of our web site.

Report (.pdf)

Medicaid’s Disabled Population and Managed Care

This fact sheet highlights the key facts about the Medicaid managed care programs that serve persons with disabilities. It describes the Medicaid disabled population and the role managed care plays in serving them. It also provides information on enrollment in managed care, program features, and issues such as quality assurance, rate setting, and benefits.

• Fact Sheet

Medicaid’s Role for the Disabled Population Under Age 65

Defines the non-elderly disabled and summarizes Medicaid’s role in their health care coverage. Includes a description of enrollment requirements, benefits, spending and managed care concerns for the population.

• Fact Sheet

Summarizes the number of uninsured individuals in rural America, who they are, and the barriers to coverage they experience.

• Fact Sheet

New and recent publications on immigrant health policy explore some of the complex problems the country faces in expanding health coverage to immigrants and provide basic statistics and facts on the current status of their health care.

• News Release: Recent Immigrants Have Had Little Impact on the Growth in America’s Uninsured Population
• Issue Paper: Is Immigration Responsible for the Growth in the Number of the Uninsured?
• Fact Sheet: Immigrants’ Health Care Coverage and Access
• Chart Pack: Immigrants’ Health Care: Coverage and Access
• Background Paper: Caring for Immigrants: Health Care Safety Nets in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and Houston
• Policy Brief: Medicaid Eligibility and Citizenship Status: Policy Implications for Immigrant Populations
• Link to find “Left Out: Immigrants’ Access to Health Care and Insurance”
• Background Paper: Immigrants’ Access to Health Care After Welfare Reform: Findings from Focus Groups in Four Cities

The Kaiser Commission co-sponsored a policy briefing on America’s uninsured population and potential models for coverage expansion. Expanding public programs and providing tax credits are both being discussed as ways to cover some of the 42 million uninsured Americans. A link to the webcast and related resources is provided.

• Webcast of Policy Briefing

President Bush’s Budget: An Overview of Health Programs

A new Foundation presentation provides an overview of President Bush s federal budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2002, focusing on its impact on health programs. The budget largely keeps pace with expected growth in Medicare and Medicaid, creates a prescription drug block grant to states for low-income seniors, proposes decreased funding for some public health programs, and would provide either limited or no growth for central programs related to HIV/AIDS.

• Presentation