Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Research Roundup: Mortality In Medicare Beneficiaries; E-Cigarette Marketing; Suicide In Transgender Teens
JAMA Internal Medicine: Trends In Mortality For Medicare Beneficiaries Treated In The Emergency Department From 2009 To 2016
In a cross-sectional study of more than 15 million emergency department visits from 2009 to 2016 among Medicare beneficiaries, there was a significant decline in mortality rates during or after an emergency department visit. This decline was greatest for patients with a high severity of illness compared with those with a medium severity or low severity of illness. (Burke et al, 11/4
American Academy Of Pediatrics: E-Cigarette Marketing Exposure And Subsequent Experimentation Among Youth And Young Adults
Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use has become increasingly prevalent among US youth and young adults in recent years. Exposure to e-cigarette marketing may stimulate e-cigarette use. In this study, we estimated the longitudinal association between e-cigarette marketing exposure and e-cigarette experimentation among US youth and young adult never tobacco users. (Chen Sankey, 11/1)
American Academy Of Pediatrics: Suicidality Disparities Between Transgender And Cisgender Adolescents
Emerging evidence indicates transgender adolescents (TGAs) exhibit elevated rates of suicidal ideation and attempt compared with cisgender adolescents (CGAs). Less is known about risk among subgroups of TGAs because of limited measures of gender identity in previous studies. We examined disparities in suicidality across the full spectrum of suicidality between TGAs and CGAs and examined risk for suicidality within TGA subgroups. (Thoma et al, 11/1)
The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation: State Options For Medicaid Coverage Of Inpatient Behavioral Health Services
Since Medicaid’s inception, federal law has generally prohibited states from using Medicaid funds for services provided to nonelderly adults in “institutions for mental disease” (IMDs). The IMD payment exclusion was intended to leave states with the primary responsibility for financing inpatient behavioral health services. However, the lack of federal funding may limit access to needed inpatient services and contribute to high levels of unmet need. In recent years, the federal government has provided new mechanisms for states to finance IMD services for nonelderly adults through Medicaid in certain situations. There are now four options for states to cover these services: Section 1115 demonstration waivers, managed care “in lieu of” authority, disproportionate share hospital payments, and the SUPPORT Act state plan option. (Musumeci, Chidambaram and Orgera, 11/6)
The New York Times: Statins Tied To Risk Of Skin Infections
Statins, commonly taken to reduce cholesterol, may increase the risk for skin infections. Statins are known to increase the risk for diabetes, and diabetes increases the risk for staphylococcus infections of the skin and underlying soft tissue. But a new study in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology suggests that the effect of statins on infection may also be independent of diabetes. (Bakalar, 11/4)
