Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Research Roundup: TV Ads And The Individual Market; Differences In Obesity By Demographics
Health Affairs: TV Advertising Volumes Were Associated With Insurance Marketplace Shopping And Enrollment In 2014
This study combined survey data from the 2014 National Health Interview Survey on adults ages 18–64 with data on volumes of televised advertisements aired in respondents’ counties of residence during the 2013–14 open enrollment period. We found that people living in counties with higher numbers of ads sponsored by the federal government were significantly more likely to shop for and enroll in a Marketplace plan. (Gollust et al., 6/1)
JAMA: Differences in Obesity Prevalence by Demographic Characteristics and Urbanization Level Among Adults in the United States, 2013-2016
In this nationally representative survey of adults in the United States, the age-adjusted prevalence of obesity and severe obesity in 2013-2016 varied by level of urbanization, with significantly greater prevalence of obesity and severe obesity among adults living in nonmetropolitan statistical areas compared with adults living in large metropolitan statistical areas. (Hales, Fryar, Carroll, 6/19)
The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation: Implications Of A Medicaid Work Requirement: National Estimates Of Potential Coverage Losses
On January 11, 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a State Medicaid Director Letter providing new guidance for Section 1115 waiver proposals that would impose work requirements (referred to as community engagement) in Medicaid as a condition of eligibility. As of June 2018, CMS has approved such work requirements in 4 states: Kentucky, Indiana, Arkansas and New Hampshire. A number of other states have waivers pending at CMS to impose work requirements or are considering such proposals. Not all states are interested in Medicaid work requirements, but Senate proposals and the House Budget Resolution passed by the House Budget Committee are calling for a federal requirement that all states implement work requirements in Medicaid. (Garfield, Rudowitz and Musumeci, 6/27)
NEJM: Growing Ranks of Advanced Practice Clinicians — Implications for the Physician Workforce
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are providing an increasing share of health care services, and education programs have proliferated. These dynamics will have lasting effects on the health care workforce and on relationships among health professionals. (Auerbach, Staiger and Buerhaus, 6/21)
