Unmet financial burden of infertility care and the impact of state insurance mandates in the United States: analysis from a popular crowdfunding platform.

OBJECTIVE: To examine infertility-related fund-raising campaigns on a popular crowdfunding website and to compare campaign characteristics across states with and without legislative mandates for insurance coverage for infertility-related care. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Online crowdfunding platform (GoFundMe) between 2010 and 2020. PATIENT(S): GoFundMe campaigns in the United States containing the keywords "fertility" and "infertility." INTERVENTION(S): State insurance mandates for infertility treatment coverage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Primary outcomes included fund-raising goals, funds raised, campaign location, and campaigns per capita. RESULT(S): Of the 3,332 infertility-related campaigns analyzed, a total goal of $52.6 million was requested, with $22.5 million (42.8%) successfully raised. The average goal was $18,639 (standard deviation [SD] $32,904), and the average amount raised was $6,759 (SD $14,270). States with insurance mandates for infertility coverage had fewer crowdfunding campaigns per capita (0.75 vs. 1.15 campaigns per 100,000 population than states without insurance mandates. CONCLUSION(S): We found a large number of campaigns requesting financial assistance for costs associated with infertility care, indicating a substantial unmet financial burden. States with insurance mandates had fewer campaigns per capita, suggesting that mandates are effective in mitigating this financial burden. These data can inform future health policy legislation on the state and federal levels to assist with the financial burden of infertility.

A Comprehensive Review of State Vision Screening Mandates for Schoolchildren in the United States.

SIGNIFICANCE: Methods and frequency of vision screenings for school-aged children vary widely by state, and there has been no recent comparative analysis of state requirements. This analysis underscores the need for developing evidence-based criteria for vision screening in school-aged children across the United States. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to conduct an updated comprehensive analysis of vision screening requirements for school-aged children in the United States. METHODS: State laws pertaining to school-aged vision screening were obtained for each state. Additional information was obtained from each state's Department of Health and Education, through their websites or departmental representatives. A descriptive analysis was performed for states with data available. RESULTS: Forty-one states require vision screening for school-aged children to be conducted directly in schools or in the community. Screening is more commonly required in elementary school (n = 41) than in middle (n = 30) or high school (n = 19). Distance acuity is the most commonly required test (n = 41), followed by color vision (n = 11) and near vision (n = 10). Six states require a vision screening annually or every 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Although most states require vision screening for some school-aged children, there is marked variation in screening methods and criteria, where the screening occurs, and grade levels that are screened. This lack of standardization and wide variation in state regulations point to a need for the development of evidence-based criteria for vision screening programs for school-aged children.

Do Work Requirements Benefit Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF Recipients?

Data suggest not in Arkansas, the first state to implement such requirements.

A Review of State Guidelines for Elective Orthopaedic Procedures During the COVID-19 Outbreak.

BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in widespread cancellation of elective orthopaedic procedures. The guidance coming from multiple sources frequently has been difficult to assimilate as well as dynamic, with constantly changing standards. We seek to communicate the current guidelines published by each state, to discuss the impact of these guidelines on orthopaedic surgery, and to provide the general framework used to determine which procedures have been postponed at our institution. METHODS: An internet search was used to identify published state guidelines regarding the cancellation of elective procedures, with a publication cutoff of March 24, 2020, 5:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time. Data collected included the number of states providing guidance to cancel elective procedures and which states provided specific guidance in determining which procedures should continue being performed as well as to orthopaedic-specific guidance. RESULTS: Thirty states published guidance regarding the discontinuation of elective procedures, and 16 states provided a definition of "elective" procedures or specific guidance for determining which procedures should continue to be performed. Only 5 states provided guidelines specifically mentioning orthopaedic surgery; of those, 4 states explicitly allowed for trauma-related procedures and 4 states provided guidance against performing arthroplasty. Ten states provided guidelines allowing for the continuation of oncological procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Few states have published guidelines specific to orthopaedic surgery during the COVID-19 outbreak, leaving hospital systems and surgeons with the responsibility of balancing the benefits of surgery with the risks to public health.

Support of nursing homes in infection management varies by US State Departments of Health.

BACKGROUND: In many countries, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are problematic in long-term aged care living facilities. In the United States (US), HAIs occur frequently in nursing homes (NHs). Identifying effective practices for state Departments of Health (DOHs) to help NHs improve infection prevention and control and reduce HAIs is necessary. AIM: As a first step, the objective was to systematically examine and catalogue the variations in state intentions and activities related to HAI prevention in NHs. METHODS: An environmental scan of state DOH websites, HAI plans, and HAI state infographics was conducted. Data were collected on 16 items across three domains: (1) intentions to reduce HAIs in NHs, (2) actions to reduce HAIs in NHs, and (3) website usability. FINDINGS: State infection control support for NHs varied widely. Most states (92%) mentioned NHs in their HAI plans and 76% included NHs in their infographic. Half has an HAI prevention advisory council, while one-third had a state HAI prevention collaborative. Only 57% of HAI plans that mentioned NHs included training materials on HAI reduction. The most common training available was on antibiotic stewardship. CONCLUSION: Many US states have room for improvement in the support they provide NHs regarding infection prevention and control. Specific areas of improvement include: (1) increased provision of training materials on HAI reduction, (2) focusing training materials on common HAIs, and (3) NH engagement in collaboratives aimed at HAI reduction. More research is needed linking DOH activities to resident outcomes.

Association between state Medicaid expansion status and naloxone prescription dispensing.

OBJECTIVE: To test whether Medicaid expansion is associated with (a) a greater number of naloxone prescriptions dispensed and (b) a higher proportion of naloxone prescriptions paid by Medicaid. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING: We used the IQVIA National Prescription Audit to obtain data on per state per quarter naloxone prescription dispensing for the period 2011-16. STUDY DESIGN: In this quasi-experimental design study, the impact of Medicaid expansion on naloxone prescription dispensing was examined using difference-in-difference estimation models. State-level covariates including pharmacy-based naloxone laws (standing/protocol orders and direct authority to dispense naloxone), third-party prescribing laws, opioid analgesic prescribing rates, opioid-involved overdose death rates, and population size were controlled for in the analysis. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Medicaid expansion was associated with 38 additional naloxone prescriptions dispensed per state per quarter compared to nonexpansion controls, on average (P = .030). Also, Medicaid expansion resulted in an average increase of 9.86 percent in the share of naloxone prescriptions paid by Medicaid per state per quarter (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that Medicaid expansion increased naloxone availability. This finding suggests that it will be important to consider naloxone access when making federal- and state-level decisions affecting Medicaid coverage.

Crisis in Brazil and impacts on the fragile regional and federative health policy governance. / Crise no Brasil e impactos na frágil governança regional e federativa da política de saúde.

Since 2014, Brazil has been experiencing an economic-fiscal-political-institutional crisis. This study evaluates whether the implementation of crisis responses contributed to weaken SUS regional and federative governance. This is an implementation study, and two theoretical categories of public health, the power in Testa and the subject in Campos have been incorporated. It presumes that the implementation shifts power and develops subjects. We analyzed public data from 2014 to 2018, organized into four axes of analysis: a) instruments for implementing crisis response; b) parliament and judicial interference in investments; c) legal frameworks of regionalization; d) federative actors and possible defense coalitions. Results show reduced federal resources, specifically for regional care networks; increased parliament and judicial interference with health resources, due to the evolution of congressional amendments and lawsuits, and changes in SUS regionalization guidelines. There is a shift of power from federative regional arrangements to the central government, parliament, the judiciary, and isolated local services. It is concluded that the response to the crisis weakened the regional federative governance of SUS, aggravating the impacts of the crisis on health.

Desde 2014, o Brasil vive crise econômica-fiscal-política-institucional. Este estudo avalia se a implementação das respostas à crise contribuiu para fragilizar a governança regional e federativa do SUS. Trata-se de estudo de implementação, ampliando-o com duas categorias da saúde coletiva, o poder em Testa e o sujeito em Campos, compreendendo que a implementação desloca poder e constrói sujeitos. Analisamos dados públicos, de 2014 a 2018, organizados em quatro eixos de análise: a) instrumentos de implementação da resposta à crise; b) interferência do Legislativo e do Judiciário nos investimentos; c) marcos legais da regionalização; d) atores federativos e possíveis coalizões de defesa. Os resultados revelam redução de recursos federais, especificamente para redes regionais de atenção; aumento da interferência legislativa e judicial nos recursos da saúde, pela evolução das emendas parlamentares e das ações judiciais e mudanças nas diretrizes de regionalização do SUS. Observa-se deslocamento de poder dos arranjos regionais federativos para o governo central, parlamento, judiciário e serviços locais isolados. Conclui-se que a resposta à crise fragilizou a governança regional federativa do SUS, agravando os impactos da crise na saúde.

Variability In States' Coverage Of Children With Medical Complexity Through Home And Community-Based Services Waivers.

Even though children with medical complexity represent less than 1 percent of the US pediatric population, they are among the costliest users of the health care system. Much of the care for these children is delivered in home and community-based settings and covered by Medicaid waivers under Section 1915(c). Expenditures related to these waivers have been steadily increasing, with most recent estimates showing spending that exceeds $48 billion per year. Little is known about these waivers' economic impact or effectiveness, because their components and coverage have not previously been well defined. Our study addressed this paucity of data by analyzing the scope of coverage offered by the waivers and evaluating how states are using them to cover children with medical complexity. We found great variability in how states choose to interpret scope of coverage and services offered, and this variability may have an impact on child and family outcomes.

The impact of state parity laws on copayments for and adherence to oral endocrine therapy for breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to endocrine therapy for breast cancer is often inadequate, in part because of out-of-pocket costs for medication. Numerous states have enacted parity laws to limit patient cost-sharing for oral anticancer drugs. The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of these laws on patient copayments for and adherence to oral endocrine therapy for breast cancer. METHODS: Administrative health insurance claims data from 2007 to 2014 derived from a US health care database were used to identify female patients aged 18 to 64 years with invasive cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast who initiated endocrine therapy and were enrolled in fully insured health plans in states that either enacted parity legislation between 2008 and 2013 or had not yet enacted such legislation by 2015. Differences-in-differences analysis was used to compare copayments for and adherence to endocrine therapy during the 1-year period before and after each year of legislation enactment. RESULTS: In total, 6900 individuals who received 7778 unique drug therapy courses were identified. Parity legislation was associated with significant decreases in the 25th percentile of copayments for anastrozole of $4.39 (95% confidence interval [CI], -$4.52 to -$4.26; P < .001) and for exemestane of $3.08 (95% CI, -$4.80 to -$1.35; P < .001). The median copayment for exemestane decreased by $10.25 (95% CI, -$12.61 to -$7.89; P < .001). A higher median monthly copayment was significantly associated with a greater risk of medication nonadherence (adjusted risk ratio, 1.006 per dollar increase; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Parity laws had a modest effect on lowering the cost of anastrozole and exemestane, but more focused efforts to limit out-of-pocket costs for endocrine therapy may have a greater impact on medication adherence.

An analysis of psychiatric services provided to adults in 2010-2014 based on the National Health Fund data. / Analiza swiadczen psychiatrycznych udzielonych osobom doroslym w latach 2010-2014 na podstawie danych Narodowego Funduszu Zdrowia.

OBJECTIVES: Analyzing the indices that allow to improve population health by, for example, improving the quality of healthcare services and increasing accessibility to these services is among the priorities of the World Health Organization (WHO). This is of particular importance in Poland, as the psychiatric care reform is being carried out in accordance with the National Mental Healthcare Program guidelines. The aim of the study is to analyze mental health services provided to adults and reported to the National Health Fund in 2010-2014. METHODS: In the present study, we expanded the information included in the second part of the maps of health needs. In addition to the evaluation of services provided to adults in 2014, we presented an analysis of services in 2010-2014. According to these data, there was a continuous increase both in thenumber of individuals provided with services for psychiatric disorders and in the total number of provided services. There was an increase in the number of patients treated for mood disorders, neurotic disorders, stress-related and somatic disorders, as well as addictions. RESULTS: The increase in the total number of services was mainly seen for outpatient types of care. The reasons why in 2014 there was a resurgence in psychiatric hospitalizations and in the hospitalization rate per 100 thousand adults remains unclear. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate the need for further support of the development of psychiatric care using multidirectional efforts within an integrated model for solving health problems. An overall analysis of services provided in psychiatric care requires access to information on services funded from non-public sources and expanding the reported information.

Changes in state legislation and the impacts on elder financial fraud and exploitation.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this paper is to summarize how state legislators are responding to the increasing incidence of elder financial fraud and exploitation (EFFE) and investigate the impact of new state legislation. METHODS: Our empirical model investigates the impact of recent changes in state legislation, after controlling for relevant state demographics, on the prevalence of EFFE claims reported in the Consumer Sentinel Network database. We use panel data in a fixed effects model with and without time dummy variables. RESULTS: States with additional penalties targeting EFFE have a significantly lower percentage of complaints from elders, whereas the impact of mandatory and protected voluntary reporting laws is not significant in this sample. DISCUSSION: State legislators have increased their awareness of and are acting to produce legislation protecting the elderly from EFFE. Increased information, training and data sharing across states can go a long way to detecting and prosecuting EFFE cases.

The US Opioid Crisis: Current Federal and State Legal Issues.

The United States is in the midst of a devastating opioid misuse epidemic leading to over 33,000 deaths per year from both prescription and illegal opioids. Roughly half of these deaths are attributable to prescription opioids. Federal and state governments have only recently begun to grasp the magnitude of this public health crisis. In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released their Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. While not comprehensive in scope, these guidelines attempt to control and regulate opioid prescribing. Other federal agencies involved with the federal regulatory effort include the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and the Department of Justice. Each federal agency has a unique role in helping to stem the burgeoning opioid misuse epidemic. The DEA, working with the Department of Justice, has enforcement power to prosecute pill mills and physicians for illegal prescribing. The DEA could also implement use of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), currently administered at the state level, and use of electronic prescribing for schedule II and III medications. The FDA has authority to approve new and safer formulations of immediate- and long-acting opioid medications. More importantly, the FDA can also ask pharmaceutical companies to cease manufacturing a drug. Additionally, state agencies play a critical role in reducing overdose deaths, protecting the public safety, and promoting the medically appropriate treatment of pain. One of the states' primary roles is the regulation of practice of medicine and the insurance industry within their borders. Utilizing this authority, states can both educate physicians about the dangers of opioids and make physician licensure dependent on registering and using PDMPs when prescribing controlled substances. Almost every state has implemented a PDMP to some degree; however, in addition to mandating their use, increased interstate sharing of prescription information would greatly improve PDMPs' effectiveness. Further, states have the flexibility to promote innovative interventions to reduce harm such as legislation allowing naloxone access without a prescription. While relatively new, these types of laws have allowed first responders, patients, and families access to a lifesaving drug. Finally, states are at the forefront of litigation against pharmaceutical manufacturers. This approach is described as analogous to the initial steps in fighting tobacco companies. In addition to fighting for dollars to support drug treatment programs and education efforts, states are pursuing these lawsuits as a means of holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for misleading marketing of a dangerous product.