Is Quality Free? It Depends

On April 10, 2025, leaders from Louisiana health systems convened in New Orleans to provide updates on the Healthy State initiative to improve population health in the state.

In 2025, each issue of Population Health, Equity & Outcomes will feature a profile of a health system leader transforming care in their area of expertise. This issue spotlights a conversation with Ken Cohen, MD, executive director of translational research at Optum Health.

Supported value-based care improves prenatal care while reducing neonatal intensive care unit stays, preterm birth rates, low birth weight rates, and costs for mothers and infants.

A private oncology shared savings plan reduced colon cancer treatment costs. Results varied by tumor, with none in breast cancer and mixed effects in lung cancer.

Accessing medical and social resources for patients, heavy administrative burden, and lack of data integration are barriers to Medicaid managed care organization care coordinators’ job performance.

Rural marketplace rating area change in Texas did not increase enrollment but increased share of enrollment in gold plans.