The Impact of the New Tax Law on Medicare and Medicaid for Seniors
Annual Medicare spending is expected to double over the next 10 years, as baby boomers age and people live longer on average. And Medicaid will also see greater demand given that it provides coverage to more than 4.6 million low-income seniors. Experts are already concerned about funding these programs — and the tax law passed in late 2017, which is expected to add about $1.5 trillion to the federal deficit, poses new challenges. Federal responses to a ballooning deficit could put the health and financial security of future seniors at stake.
(Source: New Directions in Health Care)
Source: New Directions in Health Care - March 8, 2018 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: The Commonwealth Fund Source Type: podcasts
Why Are U.S. Prescription Drug Prices So High?
In this edition of our New Directions podcast, we look at why prices for some prescription drugs are so high in the United States.
(Source: New Directions in Health Care)
Source: New Directions in Health Care - October 17, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: The Commonwealth Fund Source Type: podcasts
The Financial Consequences of ACA Repeal
A new Commonwealth Fund podcast explores what repeal of the Affordable Care Act might mean for individuals and for the nation. Leighton Ku of the Center for Health Policy Research at George Washington University discusses his study, which found that 2.6 million jobs would be lost by 2019. And while the insurance industry waits for a possible repeal-and-replace the law, Sabrina Corlette of Georgetown University says uncertainty in the insurance market could lead to fewer plan choices and higher premiums.
(Source: New Directions in Health Care)
Source: New Directions in Health Care - February 15, 2017 Category: Global & Universal Authors: The Commonwealth Fund Source Type: podcasts
India ’s Narayana Health: A Model of Efficient, High-Tech Care
India is home to Narayana Health, a chain of specialty care hospitals that delivers state-of-the-art medical services at a fraction of the cost charged here in the U.S. Sandy Hausman interviews Dr. Krishna Udayakumar of Duke University’s Global Health Institute, as well as Chandy Abraham, M.D., CEO of Health City, which offers high-tech, low-cost care in Grand Cayman.
(Source: New Directions in Health Care)
Source: New Directions in Health Care - February 14, 2017 Category: Global & Universal Authors: The Commonwealth Fund Source Type: podcasts
Brazil's Family Health Strategy
More than 60 percent of Brazil’s 200 million people are served by a model of primary care with community health workers at its center.
(Source: New Directions in Health Care)
Source: New Directions in Health Care - January 27, 2017 Category: Global & Universal Authors: The Commonwealth Fund Source Type: podcasts
Affordable Mental Health in Kenya
Basic Needs is a mental health program that is establishing self-help groups and changing public attitudes in Kenya and 12 other African and Asian nations. Producer Sandy Hausman interviews its founder as part of our new series on frugal innovations with global implications.
(Source: New Directions in Health Care)
Source: New Directions in Health Care - January 19, 2017 Category: Global & Universal Authors: The Commonwealth Fund Source Type: podcasts
A Health Hotline in Mexico
MediCallHome is a subscription-based medical hotline that offers 24/7 to a doctor to resolve your minor medical issues. It's the model for a Spanish-language phone service for employers and consumers north of the border, too.
(Source: New Directions in Health Care)
Source: New Directions in Health Care - January 13, 2017 Category: Global & Universal Authors: The Commonwealth Fund Source Type: podcasts
Why Workers Continue to Face High Health Costs Despite Slowing Employer Insurance Cost Growth
As the nation debates whether to replace or amend the Affordable Care Act, we’ll look at trends in health insurance provided by employers. Fifty-seven percent of adults under the age of 65 get coverage through their job—a benefit companies have kept since the passage of the ACA.
(Source: New Directions in Health Care)
Source: New Directions in Health Care - December 9, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: The Commonwealth Fund Source Type: podcasts
Controlling Rising Drug Costs
Prescription drug spending, a significant driver of overall health care costs, has been rising rapidly over the last few years. This episode explores the reasons for higher drug prices, including the introduction of new high-value medications, potentially inefficient research and development, and a lack of price regulation.
(Source: New Directions in Health Care)
Source: New Directions in Health Care - June 23, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: The Commonwealth Fund Source Type: podcasts
Are Health Care Mergers Good for Consumers?
As more and more health insurers and providers merge, it’s important to look at the potential impact on the cost and quality of health care.
(Source: New Directions in Health Care)
Source: New Directions in Health Care - March 9, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: The Commonwealth Fund Source Type: podcasts
State Scorecard Finds Progress in Reducing Hospital Readmissions
What behind the drop in cost hospital readmissions?
(Source: New Directions in Health Care)
Source: New Directions in Health Care - December 9, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: The Commonwealth Fund Source Type: podcasts
"Maybe We Could Have Bought Him a Good Pair of Shoes": Why Peer Nations Spend Less on Health Care but Stay Healthier
Greater use of medical technology and pharmaceutical drugs, as well as high prices, all contribute to high U.S. health spending, according to The Commonwealth Fund's latest cross-national spending brief. For this episode, Sandy Hausman interviews coauthor David Squires, who says Americans do not see better health outcomes relative to other wealthy nations as a result. Yale University's Elizabeth Bradley points to the role that social services such as housing play in improving health outcomes in Europe. Transcript available.
(Source: New Directions in Health Care)
Source: New Directions in Health Care - October 8, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: The Commonwealth Fund Source Type: podcasts
Medicaid's Latest Successes and Challenges
This episode offers an update on Medicaid—how the program has changed under the Affordable Care Act and what reforms we may see in the months and years to come. The Commonwealth Fund's Sara Collins discusses how more and more people are using Medicaid coverage to gain access to affordable care, while George Washington University's Sara Rosenbaum addresses new state Medicaid proposals that call for work requirements and fewer benefits. Transcript available.
(Source: New Directions in Health Care)
Source: New Directions in Health Care - July 15, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: The Commonwealth Fund Source Type: podcasts
From Coverage to Care
A new podcast examines what the lack of insurance coverage has meant for racial and ethnic minority groups in this country and how the Affordable Care Act might change that. It also looks at resources designed to educate patients about their health and their coverage.
(Source: New Directions in Health Care)
Source: New Directions in Health Care - May 1, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: The Commonwealth Fund Source Type: podcasts
Why More Practices Are Merging Behavioral Health and Primary Care
The Affordable Care Act creates new opportunities to integrate behavioral health and primary care. This episode looks at the challenges and benefits of coordinating physical and mental health care through interviews with The University of Washington's Jurgen Unutzer, M.D., The Commonwealth Fund's Pamela Riley, M.D., and Deborah Bachrach, a partner with Manatt, Phelps and Phillips.
(Source: New Directions in Health Care)
Source: New Directions in Health Care - January 30, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Authors: The Commonwealth Fund Source Type: podcasts
