Center for Studying Health System Change

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

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).

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

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

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.

Despite Rapid Growth, Retail Clinic Use Remains Modest

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).

Competitive Albuquerque Health Insurance Market Gears Up for Coverage Boom

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).

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

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).

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

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.

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

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!

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

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).

Arranged Marriages: The Evolution of ACO Partnerships in California

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.

Affordable Health Coverage Key to Attracting Uninsured ‘Young Invincibles’

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).

Long Island Follows Bumpy New York Road to National Health Reform

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).

Wide Price Variation for Privately Insured Underscores Hospital Market Power

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).

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

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).

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

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).

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