Center for Studying Health System Change

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HSC Farewell
 
HSC Ceases Operations
For nearly 20 years, The Center for Studying Health System (HSC) was on the forefront of identifying and analyzing emerging health care trends at the community level. On Dec. 31, 2013, HSC ceased operations. Since then, no new content has been added to this site, which is being hosted by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to ensure access to HSC research products.


 
     

What's New

Patients’ Sense of Urgency—Not Convenience—Contributes to Much ED Use

Dec. 30, 2013

Contrary to the idea that convenience prompts many privately insured people to seek care in emergency departments (EDs), the people most likely to use EDs believe they urgently need medical attention, according to a new study by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) for the nonpartisan, nonprofit National Institute for Health Care Reform (NIHCR).

HSC Research Brief No. 31
News Release


Steering Patients to Lower-Price Hospitals Prompts Others to Lower Prices

Dec. 5, 2013

Along with steering patients to lower-price hospitals, a California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) reference pricing initiative influenced market dynamics by motivating other hospitals to reduce prices for hip and knee replacements, according to a qualitative study by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) for the nonpartisan, nonprofit National Institute for Health Care Reform (NIHCR).

HSC Research Brief No. 30
News Release


HSC's 18th Annual Wall Street Comes to Washington Conference Webcast and Transcript

Nov. 21, 2013

HSC's 18th Annual Wall Street Comes to Washington conference was held on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, in Washington, D.C. A webcast and transcript of the conference are now available.

Conference Webcast
Conference Transcript


Despite Rapid Growth, Retail Clinic Use Remains Modest

Nov. 7, 2013

The proportion of American families using a retail clinic in the previous year nearly tripled between 2007 and 2010 from 1 percent of U.S. families in 2007 to 3 percent in 2010, according to a national study released today by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).

HSC Research Brief No. 29
News Release


Competitive Albuquerque Health Insurance Market Gears Up for Coverage Boom

Oct. 30, 2013

With pragmatism prevailing in New Mexico’s political tug of war over national health reform, Albuquerque health insurers are eager to compete for new Medicaid enrollees and people eligible for subsidized private health coverage, according to a new Community Report released today by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC).

Albuquerque Community Report
Media Advisory


Alabama’s Pass on Medicaid Expansion Leaves Birmingham’s Uninsured with Weak Safety Net

Oct. 17, 2013

Alabama’s pass on the Medicaid expansion under national health reform leaves the Birmingham region’s low-income, uninsured adults with a patchwork safety net widely regarded as limited and inadequately funded, according to a new Community Report released today by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC).

Birmingham Community Report
Media Advisory


When Medicare Squeezes Payments, Hospitals Cut Costs Instead of Shifting Costs

Oct. 8, 2013

Contrary to the popular belief that hospitals shift costs to private payers when Medicare squeezes payments, hospitals instead cut operating costs to adjust to reduced revenues, according to a study by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) published online in the journal Health Services Research.

Journal Article -- (Free access.)
Media Advisory


HSC's 18th Annual Wall Street Comes to Washington Conference on Nov. 21

Oct. 3, 2013

Registration is now open for HSC's 18th annual Wall Street Comes to Washington conference will held on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, in Washington, D.C. The conference, sponsored by the Jayne Koskinas Ted Giovanis Foundation for Health and Policy, will feature a roundtable discussion with Wall Street health care industry analysts and Washington health policy analysts. Register now!

Conference and Registration Information


Federal Exchange and Indecision on Medicaid Expansion Create Uncertainty for Richmond Market

Oct. 2, 2013

Whether Virginia will expand Medicaid, along with development of a federally run insurance exchange, has created uncertainty for Richmond health insurers and providers, according to a new Community Report released today by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC).

Richmond Community Report


Arranged Marriages: The Evolution of ACO Partnerships in California

Sept. 30, 2013

Market factors unique to California—large physician organizations experienced in managing financial risk for patient care, along with competitive pressure on both insurers and providers from the growing dominance of Kaiser Permanente Health Plan—have helped drive interest in developing commercial accountable care organization partnerships, according to a new study by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) on behalf of the California HealthCare Foundation.

CHCF Regional Markets Issue Brief
Media Advisory


Affordable Health Coverage Key to Attracting Uninsured ‘Young Invincibles’

Sept. 20, 2013

Most uninsured nonelderly adults—even the so-called young invincibles—believe they need health insurance, but fewer believe coverage is now affordable, according to a new national study by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC).

HSC Research Brief No. 28
News Release


Long Island Follows Bumpy New York Road to National Health Reform

Sept. 12, 2013

Despite an extensive Medicaid program and previous adoption of many insurance market reforms, partisan gridlock has contributed to a rocky road to national health reform for New York and the Long Island metropolitan area, according to a new Community Report released today by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC).

Long Island Community Report
Media Advisory


Wide Price Variation for Privately Insured Underscores Hospital Market Power

Sept. 5, 2013

Across 13 selected U.S. metropolitan areas, hospital prices for privately insured patients—especially for outpatient care—are much higher than Medicare and vary widely within and across communities, according to a new study by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) for the nonpartisan, nonprofit National Institute for Health Care Reform (NIHCR).

HSC Research Brief No. 27
News Release


Minneapolis-St. Paul Region Overcomes Early State Resistance to National Health Reform

Aug. 21, 2013

After initial state government resistance to national health reform, the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area is well on the way to preparing for national health reform, according to a new Community Report released today by Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC).

Minneapolis-St. Paul Community Report
Media Advisory


Collaborative Culture Helps Portland, Ore., Gear Up for National Health Reform

July 23, 2013

Shaped by Oregon’s collaborative culture and activist history on health care issues, the Portland metropolitan area appears well prepared for national health reform, according to a new Community Report released today by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC).

Portland Community Report
Media Advisory


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The Center for Studying Health System Change Ceased operation on Dec. 31, 2013.