Studies Examine Impact of SCHIP Delays, Effectiveness of Disease Management Programs

• "Potential Impacts of Delaying SCHIP Legislation," National Academy for State Health Policy: The report examines the potential effects that the delay in federal legislative action on SCHIP could have on states and program beneficiaries. According to the report, states are facing uncertainty and shortfalls in funding, as well as the possibility of having to curtail enrollment and withdraw coverage. The report also discusses difficulties states could face in reinstating coverage or reversing enrollment declines if they must reduce costs and how the situation could impact the future of the program. A related online briefing also describes actions that three states are taking or considering taking to address the delays in SCHIP reauthorization and expansion (NASHP release, 12/11).
  
  
• "Evidence for the Effect of Disease Management: Is $1 Billion a Year a Good Investment?" American Journal of Managed Care: The study, issued by the RAND Corporation, examines disease management programs, which provide chronic disease patients with a system of coordinated health care interventions. According to the study, such programs can improve health care quality and disease control, and reduce hospital admission rates, but there is limited proof that the programs improve health outcomes over a long period of time (RAND release, 12/10).