Health Care Delivery

There are signs that some Republicans are uncomfortable with repealing President Barack Obama's signature law without taking steps to keep those who gained coverage from becoming uninsured.

What we're reading, January 4, 2017: Republicans in Congress may also make changes to Medicare; churches and faith-based organizations launch syringe exchanges; and judge rules Amgen's PCSK9 patent is valid.

A look at value-based insurance design, and how it provides a way to reduce financial barriers to care for people with chronic conditions.

The groups represent nearly 400,000 practitioners on the front lines of primary care for families, women, and children.

What we're reading, January 3, 2017: Colorado's Affordable Care Act exchange misused more than $9 million in federal funds; an over-the-counter birth control may be coming to the United States; and returning health data to patients could reduce health record breaches.

What we're reading, January 2, 2017: drug makers are taking a cautious approach to off-label promotion; Republicans eye changes to Medicaid under Trump administration; and the impact of geography on health.

As 2016 drew to a close, The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC)® polled readers on what was, in their opinion, the biggest healthcare story of the year. Runners-up included drug pricing drama, Medicare policy announcements, and more, but the top answer by far was the news story that sent shockwaves throughout the healthcare industry and around the world.

After the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, hospital readmission rates decreased nationwide, most dramatically for the lowest-performing hospitals, according to an analysis of readmissions data published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

As 2016 draws to a close, here’s a look at the top 5 news articles that captured reader interest on AJMC.com.

What we're reading, December 26, 2016: Medicare starts looking into drug-resistant infections in hospitals; Republicans may not repeal all of Obamacare's taxes when they repeal the law; and a program that partners drug addicts with police officers to get help.

People are more likely to search for the term "Obamacare" than "Affordable Care Act," but both searches saw spikes in interest following Donald Trump's election, and people are getting curious if the president-elect will keep or repeal the law.

During the December Managed Care Cast hosted by Patricia Salber, the guest was Joe Antos, PhD, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, who discussed potential changes to healthcare and the realities of repeal and replace under President-elect Donald J. Trump’s administration.

What we're reading, December 22, 2016: Americans continue to sign up for Obamacare coverage despite Republicans' promise to repeal the law; California is implementing a $3 billion effort to help the state’s neediest individuals; and Zika vaccine shows success.

With the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) set to take effect January 1, 2017, The American Journal of Managed Care has created a resource center, the MACRA Compendium, where payers and providers can find updates on the transition to value-based care.

A study by The Commonwealth Fund reports that uninsured rates have dropped in all states and fewer patients in most states say cost is a barrier to care. These improvements were observed in the years after the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

What we're reading, December 21, 2016: researchers are racing to download Obamacare data before Donald Trump takes office; tens of millions of Americans import prescriptions illegally; and 4 more criminal charges in Flint water crisis.

The elderly population in the United States is growing significantly. People who are 80 years and older most likely need long-term care due to severe disabilities.

What we’re reading, December 16, 2016: consumers now have until December 19 to enroll in a marketplace plan for coverage starting on January 1; 20 states file lawsuit against 6 pharmaceutical companies alleging generic price fixing; women who were tested for the BRCA mutation gene after Angelina Jolie’s announcement may not have been at high risk to begin with.

A glimpse into some of President-elect Donald J. Trump's choices for important replacements within the healthcare world.

Recent election results raise questions about the future of healthcare programs and the coordination of patient care in our nation.

What we're reading, December 15, 2016: Democrats won't help repeal the Affordable Care Act, but some may help pass a replacement; drug makers push new opioids despite lack of evidence they reduce overdoses; CDC issues Zika virus travel advisory for Texas town.

Racial and ethnic differences in access to healthcare are not always due to differences in financial resources and insurance coverage. A majority of minorities receive fewer services when compared with whites who have the same level of health coverage and income.

What we're reading, December 14, 2016: many Obamacare enrollees voted for Donald Trump expecting him to fix, not repeal, the law; President Barack Obama signs 21st Century Cures Act into law; Ohio Governor John Kasich vetoes one abortion bill, signs another.

There are a lot of unknowns about how Republicans will move to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act now that they will have a Republican in the White House. Joe Antos, PhD, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, did his best to speculate how a repeal might play out and what will happen with Medicaid expansion under a Trump presidency.

Though there are many unknowns regarding how the Trump administration will affect policy, there is bipartisan support for lowering costs and increasing quality. The Medicare Access & CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 is a separate law that was passed with 92% bi-partisan support in 2015. Read on for tips on creating a strategy that will set you up for success under advanced alternate payment models.