The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news.
Immigrants’ Access to Health Care After Welfare Reform: Findings from Focus Groups in Four Cities
A new analysis of focus groups in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Antonio reveal immigrants’ knowledge of and attitudes toward public programs such as Medicaid and CHIP. Themes explored include current health coverage, participation in programs, barriers to enrollment, and access to care.
Topline Results
The Vital Signs Index is a monthly nationally representative survey of women on health policy issues. The results of the survey will inform the news segments and be made available to a wider audience of policy makers, health industry leaders, advocates and journalists.
Gynecological services are vital for women throughout their lifetimes. Pap smears, breast exams, counseling, and contraceptive care are important preventive services, but women often do not get these at levels recommended by experts. This fact sheet summarizes coverage of gynecological care and contraceptives. It focuses on women’s use of services, types of providers, and types of insurance. Special emphasis is given to uninsured women and those with Medicaid coverage.
This background paper discusses the coverage of prescription drugs through the Medicaid program. Some of the issues addressed include who is eligible to receive drugs, how drug coverage is paid for, and how much money states spend on drugs.
Sex Smarts “Safer Sex”, Condoms and “the Pill” Survey Toplines
This includes the questions and results from the second SexSmarts snapshot, a nationally representative survey of teens on their knowledge and attitudes about “safer sex” and contraception. The survey was developed by the Kaiser Family Foundation and seventeen magazine.
As part of an on-going public information partnership called SexSmarts, seventeen and the Kaiser Family Foundation conduct nationally-representative surveys of teens 15 to 17 on issues related to their sexual health.
This survey examines teens’ knowledge and attitudes about “safer sex” and contraception (November 2000).Summary of Findings (.pdf)Toplines/Survey (.pdf)
A new report details how the practice of express lane eligibility, or utilizing information from other public benefit programs, can quicken the enrollment of low-income children into the Medicaid and CHIP programs.
This issue update provides information on the process of making emergency contraception available without a prescription. It includes sections on how a drug becomes availible without a prescription;, the over-the counter-debate; implications for cost and use; and safety and efficacy.
The debate over whether women should be able to get “the pill” without a prescription has been going on quietly for years. Now, some women’s health advocates are asking if emergency contraception, birth control that can be used to prevent pregnancy after sex, should be available over-the-counter. The reason? While new emergency contraceptive products are now on the market, many U.S. women still don’t know about them. And, even if they do, they might not be able to get emergency contraception from their doctors – in time for it to make a difference.
A panel of experts, including Carolyn Westhoff, MD, Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Public Health, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center; James Trussell, PhD, Professor of Economics and Public Affairs, Faculty Associate, Office of Population Research, Princeton University; Rod MacKenzie, Chariman of the Board, Gynetics; and Julia Scott, RN, President & CEO, National Black Women’s Health Project discussed at an Emerging Issues in Reproductive Health Briefing the over-the-counter debate, what’s happening in doctor’s offices, and what could tomorrow bring for emergency contraception and the pill.
New survey findings about how frequently doctors are counseling women about emergency contraception and prescribing this method was released.
Third National Survey of Women’s Health Care Providers on Reproductive Health
This national survey of women’s health care providers on reproductive health includes data on prescribing practices and discussion of contraceptive counseling, as well as demographic information.