Results Of CMS’s Updated Hospital Quality Evaluation Formula

The number of top-rated hospitals in the US quadrupled—from 83 to 337—after the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) revised the methodology behind its Hospital Quality Star Rating system. At the same time, twice as many hospitals landed on the low end of the ratings spectrum. Under CMS’s original ratings formula, just six (1 percent) large US hospitals received a 5-star rating in July 2016 compared with 48 (11 percent) under the new methodology. More small hospitals also have a 5-star rating—121 small hospitals (9 percent) compared with 51 (4 percent) in 2016.  

More information can be obtained at http://blogs.deloitte.com/centerforhealthsolutions/cmss-updated-quality-evaluation-formula-leads-to-more-5-star-hospitals/.

Transferring From Associate Degree To Bachelor’s Degree Programs

A new report from the American Council on Education (ACE) shows that earning an associate degree prior to transferring to a four-year institution for recent high school graduates neither increased nor decreased their likelihood of completing a bachelor’s degree. It suggests, however, that prospective transfer students still may want to consider completing an associate degree first and offers recommendations for policy and practice to increase degree attainment.

The report can be obtained at https://www.hobsons.com/resources/entry/white-paper-the-impact-of-earning-an-associate-degree-prior-to-transfer-on.

Report To Congress On Medicaid And CHIP

The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission today released its March report to Congress, which focuses on Medicaid managed care, telehealth in Medicaid, and disproportionate share hospital allotments to states.

The report can be obtained at

https://www.macpac.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Report-to-Congress-on-Medicaid-and-CHIP-March-2018.pdf

Americans’ Views On Health Insurance

Thirty-six percent of Americans who have health coverage through the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) marketplaces and 27 percent of those with Medicaid coverage are pessimistic about keeping coverage in the future, according to a new Commonwealth Fund survey.

The survey brief can be obtained at http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/files/publications/issue-brief/2018/mar/collins_views_hlt_insurance_turbulent_year_aca_tracking_survey.pdf.

Future Role of Government in Health Information Technology and Digital Health

Health IT Now and the Bipartisan Policy Center convened a work group of organizations representing clinicians, patients, hospitals, and technology companies to assess the current regulatory landscape, identify the most pressing needs of users, and develop consensus on the ideal future role of government in a post-meaningful use era, and a rapidly evolving delivery system and technology environment. 

A report was produced by the work group and it can be obtained at https://bipartisanpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/BPC-Health-Innovation-Information-Technology-and-Digital-Health-1.pdf.

What’s Ahead For The Individual Health Insurance Market

On Tuesday, March 6, the Brookings Institution hosted an event examining where the individual market is today and where it is heading. The event opened with a brief presentation summarizing recent market trends. A panel discussion occurred on where the market stands today and how insurers’, consumers’, and state regulators’ reactions to pending federal policy changes will shape the market’s evolution in the years to come.

A transcript of the event can be obtained at https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/es_20180306_health_market_transcript.pdf.

Competition And Premiums In States With Just One Marketplace Insurer

In 2017, there were five states where only one insurer participated in the health care marketplace: Alabama, Alaska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Wyoming. A new Commonwealth Fund Issue Brief examines the history, before and after the ACA’s passage in 2010, of the individual insurance market in five, mostly rural, states and how premiums changed as the number of carriers declined.

The Issue Brief can be obtained at http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/files/publications/issue-brief/2018/mar/gabel_single_insurer_marketplaces_five_states_ib.pdf.

Allied Health Centralized Application Service (AHCAS) Webinar

Come see how AHCAS, a Centralized Application Service (CAS™) for allied health programs, is revolutionizing the allied health program application experience during AHCAS: See it in Action on Tuesday, March 13th from 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET. During this webinar, you’ll see how AHCAS helps allied health program applicants apply to multiple programs through a single, centralized application form and one set of supporting documentation, applicable by program selection, as well as feel more connected to programs of interest through responsive application support, proactive communications and real-time application status updates.

Register for the webinar here. 

Generation Gap In American Politics

A report from the Pew Research Center examines the attitudes and political values of four living adult generations in the United States. Given that many individuals who are in these different generations may express their opinions by voting in elections, issues such as health care policy can be influenced.

The report can be obtained at file:///C:/Users/Owner/Downloads/03-01-18-Generations-release.pdf.

NASEM Workshop on A Systems Approach to Alleviating Work-Induced Stress and Improving Health

A workshop through the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, " A Systems Approach to Alleviating Work-induced Stress and Improving Health, Well-being, and Resilience of Health Professionals Within and Beyond Education"  will take place on April 26-27, 2018.  The workshop will explore how a design thinking-systems approach could be used for tailoring interventions that address the unique needs of each care and health professions educational organization by drawing upon the assets of the organization and the individuals that make up their community. Registration for the workshop is now open. 

Further details and the link for in person or online registration may be accessed here. 

Consumer Views On The Affordable Care Act

An Issue Brief from The Commonwealth Fund discusses the result of a survey of beneficiaries who have health coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to obtain their views on the marketplaces, Medicaid, and other health insurance matters. The findings are compared to prior previous ACA surveys.

The Issue Brief can be obtained at http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/files/publications/issue-brief/2018/mar/collins_views_hlt_insurance_turbulent_year_aca_tracking_survey.pdf.

Electronic Access To Health Information

Hospitals and health systems continue to enhance their ability to share essential patient information electronically with health care providers and engage patients in their health care, according to two reports released today by the American Hospital Association (AHA). Nearly all hospital patients (93%) can views their health record information online, up from 27% in 2012, although larger hospitals continue to be able to offer greater access and functionality than smaller hospitals. Also, 74% of hospitals and health systems can share clinical or summary of care records electronically with hospitals outside their system.

The reports can be obtained at https://www.aha.org/system/files/2018-03/expanding-electronic-engagement.pdf and https://www.aha.org/system/files/2018-03/sharing-health-information.pdf.

Digest Of Education Statistics, 2016

A report from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) that was issued in the past week provides a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field of education from prekindergarten through graduate school. The Digest contains data on a variety of topics, including the number of schools and colleges, teachers, enrollments, and graduates, in addition to educational attainment, finances, and federal funds for education, libraries, and international comparisons.

The report can be obtained at https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2017/2017094.pdf.

Women Need More Degrees Than Men To Obtain Similar Earnings

Although women have surpassed men in educational attainment, the wage gap persists. Women need one more degree than men in the same field in order to attain similar earnings, according to a new report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.  Women on average earn just 81 cents for every dollar earned by a man. Even when comparing men and women who have equal educational attainment and work in the same occupation, women still earn only 92 cents for every dollar earned by men.

The report can be obtained at https://cew-7632.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/Women_FR_Web.pdf.

Overconfident Students And Doubtful Prospective Employers

According to a study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, college students may believe they’re ready to be employed, but there are significant differences between their perceptions and those of prospective employers. A high percentage of students indicated in almost every category they thought they were proficient, while employers disagreed.

More information can be obtained at http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2018/02/23/study-students-believe-they-are-prepared-workplace-employers-disagree.