Tracking The Pandemic’s Effects On Health Outcomes, Costs, And Access To Care February 4, 2022 Perspective This Health Affairs Grantwatch article summarizes findings from several KFF-Peterson Health System Tracker analyses with an emphasis on the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact through 2021 and a look ahead toward 2022.
Surprise Medical Bills are Ending, But Controversy Continues January 20, 2022 Perspective In this column for the JAMA Health Forum, Larry Levitt examines how the No Surprises Act that prohibits unexpected out-of-network charges for patients could lead to lower payment rates and revenues for some doctors and other care providers.
A Federal Covid Testing Plan Finally Ramps Up. Strings Are Attached. January 14, 2022 Perspective In this commentary for Barron’s, Cynthia Cox and Lindsey Dawson examine the cost and availability of at-home COVID-19 tests and how the new Biden administration policy requiring private insurances to cover their costs may work.
Mixed Prospects for Vaccinating Children October 29, 2021 Perspective In this Axios column, Drew Altman examines the data about what parents say they will do once their children ages 5-11 become eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, and why it will take some time and a concerted outreach effort to match adult vaccination rates.
The Inequity Of The Medicaid Coverage Gap and Why It Is Hard To Fix It October 14, 2021 Perspective In this column for the JAMA Health Forum, Larry Levitt explores why the Medicaid “coverage gap” still exists in 12 states that have not expanded their Medicaid programs under the Affordable Care Act, why it matters, and why eliminating it could prove challenging.
A Look at Who is Still Not Vaccinated Against COVID October 7, 2021 Perspective In this Axios column, Drew Altman takes on the idea that communities of color are behind the problem of the unvaccinated in the U.S.
Why The California Recall Is Not a Harbinger of What Is to Come on COVID As a Campaign Issue September 28, 2021 Perspective In this Axios column, Drew Altman examines the lessons for COVID-19 as a political issue from Governor Gavin Newsom’s resounding win in California’s recall election.
Vaccines Are Free. Covid Care Is Not. Who Should Pay? September 16, 2021 Perspective In this commentary for Barron’s, Cynthia Cox explores the impact to the American public as the U.S. health insurance system adjusts to the COVID-19 pandemic. She uses the experience of the past year and a half to raise questions about broader issues of fairness in the distribution of health care costs in the country.
Parents Report More Negative Pandemic Effects on Kids Who Attend School Virtually vs. In-Person August 20, 2021 Perspective In his latest Axios column, Drew Altman shows that parents feel that children have fared better during COVID attending school in-person than virtually in terms of academic performance and their mental health and wellbeing.
How Full FDA Approval Could Spur Vaccination August 13, 2021 Perspective In this Axios column, Drew Altman says full FDA approval of COVID-19 vaccines can provide a big boost to vaccination efforts if treated as an opportunity for updated messaging from government officials at all levels and public health experts and new actions from employers.