Two articles resulting from grants co-sponsored by HCFO and the Commonwealth Fund and funded under a special topic solicitation on administrative costs were published in the May 14 Health Affairs Web exclusive. For more information about these articles, visit rwjf.org/coverage/product.jsp?id=42728.

What Does it Cost Physician Practices to Interact with Health Insurance Plans?
Lawrence P. Casalino, M.D., Ph.D.

Lawrence P. Casalino, M.D., Ph.D., chief of the Division of Outcomes and Effectiveness Research at Weill Cornell Medical College and formerly of the University of Chicago, and colleagues published the article, “What Does it Cost Physician Practices to Interact with Health Insurance Plans?” This article highlights findings from a HCFO-funded national survey of physician practices across the United States  on time spent by practice staff on administrative activities.

Peering into the Black Box: Billing and Insurance Activities in a Medical Group
Julie A. Sakowski, Ph.D.

Julie A. Sakowski, Ph.D., senior health services researcher at Sutter Health, and colleagues published the article, “Peering into the Black Box: Billing and Insurance Activities in a Medical Group.” This article highlights findings from a HCFO study led by Harold S. Luft, Ph.D., director of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute and formerly of the University of California, San Francisco, that provided an in-depth look at the billing and insurance-related activities performed at a large multi-site, multi-specialty group practice in California.

Quality-Based Financial Incentives in Health Care: Can We Improve Quality by Paying for It?
Douglas Conrad, Ph.D. and Lisa Perry

Douglas Conrad, Ph.D., professor, and Lisa Perry, both of the University of Washington, published the article “Quality-Based Financial Incentives in Health Care: Can We Improve Quality by Paying for It?” in the April 2009 issue of Annual Review of Public Health. This article highlights findings from a HCFO-sponsored study that examines the effects of quality scorecards and financial incentives, developed by Premera, on physicians' clinical quality, patient satisfaction, and efficiency.

Coordination of Care by Primary Care Practices: Strategies, Lessons and Implications
Ann S. O'Malley, M.D.

The Center for Studying Health System Change released the research brief “Coordination of Care by Primary Care Practices: Strategies, Lessons and Implications,” by Ann S. O'Malley, M.D., senior health researcher, and colleagues. This article highlights findings from a HCFO-sponsored study that documented “best practices” that physician offices developed to coordinate care and identified the challenges and lessons learned. 

Effects of Prior Authorization on Medication Discontinuation among Medicaid Beneficiaries with Bipolar Disorder
Yuting Zhang, Ph.D.

Yuting Zhang, Ph.D., assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh and formerly a research fellow at Harvard Medical School , and colleagues published the article, “Effects of Prior Authorization on Medication Discontinuation among Medicaid Beneficiaries with Bipolar Disorder,” in the April 2009 issue of Psychiatric Services. This HCFO-sponsored study—led by Stephen B. Soumerai, Sc.D., professor at Harvard Medical School —is evaluating the effects of prior authorization of new medications among Medicaid beneficiaries with bipolar disorder in the state of Maine.

Health Information Technology and Patient Safety: Evidence from Panel Data
Stephen T. Parente, Ph.D.

Stephen T. Parente, Ph.D., associate professor, and Jeffrey McCullough, Ph.D., assistant professor, at the University of Minnesota published the perspective article, “Health Information Technology and Patient Safety: Evidence from Panel Data,” in the March/April 2009 issue of Health Affairs. The article highlights findings from a HCFO study led by Dr. McCullough that measures the quality and cost effects of clinical information technology (IT), specifically computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems.

The Effect of Medicare Part D Coverage on Drug Use and Cost Sharing Among Seniors without Prior Drug Benefits
Sebastian Schneeweiss, M.D.

Sebastian Schneeweiss, M.D., associate professor at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and colleagues published the article, “The Effect of Medicare Part D Coverage on Drug Use and Cost Sharing Among Seniors without Prior Drug Benefits,” in a February 3 Health Affairs web exclusive. This article highlights findings from a HCFO-sponsored study that assessed changes in prescription drug use among elderly patients who had no prescription drug coverage prior to Medicare Part D.

Beneficiary Price Sensitivity in the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Market
Austin B. Frakt, Ph.D. and Steven D. Pizer, Ph.D.

Austin B. Frakt, Ph.D, health economist at the Boston University, and Steven D. Pizer, Ph.D., assistant professor at Boston University, published the article, “Beneficiary Price Sensitivity in the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Market,” in the February 3 online edition of Health Economics. The article highlights findings from a HCFO-sponsored study examining how Medicare private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans and beneficiary choices are affected by payment policy.

Realizing True Consumer-Directed Health Care: What the Policy Community Needs
Sharon B. Arnold, Ph.D., director of the HCFO program, and Dennis P. Scanlon, Ph.D.

Sharon B. Arnold, Ph.D., director of the HCFO program, and Dennis P. Scanlon, Ph.D., associate professor at Pennsylvania State University, were guest editors for the February 2009 special supplemental issue of Medical Care Research and Review titled, “Realizing True Consumer-Directed Health Care: What the Policy Community Needs.” This issue, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, includes papers commissioned for a January 2007 colloquium that examine consumer interaction with the health care system and identify opportunities for increased consumer engagement.

Accuracy in Self-Reported Health Insurance Coverage Among Medicaid Enrollees
Kathleen Thiede Call, Ph.D.

Kathleen Thiede Call, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of Minnesota, and colleagues published the article, “Accuracy in Self-Reported Health Insurance Coverage Among Medicaid Enrollees,” in the Winter 2008/2009 issue of Inquiry. The article highlights finding from a HCFO-sponsored study that examined whether limitations in population surveys and the collection of administrative data lead to an undercount in the number of individuals with Medicaid coverage, which in turn can bias estimates of the uninsured.

Availability of Data to Measure Disparities in Leading Health Indicators at the State and Local Level
Marsha Gold, Sc.D.

Marsha Gold, Sc.D., senior fellow at Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., and colleagues published the article, “Availability of Data to Measure Disparities in Leading Health Indicators at the State and Local Level,” in the November 2008 issue of Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. This article highlights findings from a HCFO study that examined state data availability for the 10 leading health indicators defined in Healthy People 2010 and whether data to measure disparities are available at this level of aggregation to support work to eliminate disparities.

Medical Malpractice Reform and Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Premiums
Michael A. Morrisey, Ph.D.

Michael A. Morrisey, Ph.D., professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and colleagues published the article, "Medical Malpractice Reform and Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Premiums," in the December 2008 issue of Health Services Research. The article highlights findings from a HCFO-sponsored study that examined the effect of recent malpractice reforms on health insurance costs.

Measuring the Value of Public Health Systems: The Disconnect Between Health Economists and Public Health Practitioners
Peter J. Neumann, Sc.D.

Peter J. Neumann, Sc.D., director at the Center for the Evaluation of Value and Risk in Health at Tufts Medical Center, and colleagues published the article, "Measuring the Value of Public Health Systems: The Disconnect Between Health Economists and Public Health Practitioners," in the December 2008 issue of the American Journal of Public Health. The article highlights findings from a HCFO-sponsored grant-funded under a special topic solicitation in public health systems research (PHSR) and led by Peter Jacobson, J.D., professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health-that examined how to define and measure the value of governmental public health systems.

Nothing for Something? Estimating the Cost and Value for Beneficiaries from Recent Medicare Spending Increases on HMO Payments and Drug Benefits
Steven D. Pizer, Ph.D.

Steven D. Pizer, Ph.D., health economist at the Boston VA Research Institute, and colleagues published the September 27, 2008 article, "Nothing for Something? Estimating the Cost and Value for Beneficiaries from Recent Medicare Spending Increases on HMO Payments and Drug Benefits," in the online version of the International Journal of Health Care Finance and Economics. This article highlights findings from HCFO-sponsored research that examines how Medicare private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans and beneficiary choices are affected by payment policy.

New Evidence on the Effects of State Mental Health Mandates
Susan H. Busch, Ph.D.

Susan H. Busch, Ph.D., associate professor at Yale University, and Colleen L. Barry, Ph.D., assistant professor at Yale University, published the article "New Evidence on the Effects of State Mental Health Mandates," in the Fall 2008 issue of Inquiry. The article highlights findings from a HCFO-sponsored study that examined the financial impact of state mental health parity laws on children and families.

Does Managed Care Affect Quality? Appropriateness, Referral Patterns, and Outcomes of Carotid Edarterectomy
Ethan A. Halm, M.D.

Ethan A. Halm, M.D., associate chief in the division of general internal medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and colleagues published the article, "Does Managed Care Affect Quality? Appropriateness, Referral Patterns, and Outcomes of Carotid Edarterectomy," in the November 2008 issue of American Journal of Medical Quality. The article details findings from a HCFO study-led by Mark R. Chassin, M.D. formerly of Mount Sinai Medical School and currently president of the Joint Commission-that examined the effectiveness of specific managed care interventions to reduce overuse of carotid endarterectomy.

Evaluation of the Group Health Cooperative Access Initiative: Study Design Challenges in Estimating the Impact of a Large-Scale Organizational Transformation
David Grembowski, Ph.D.

David Grembowski, Ph.D., professor at the University of Washington, and colleagues published the article, "Evaluation of the Group Health Cooperative Access Initiative: Study Design Challenges in Estimating the Impact of a Large-Scale Organizational Transformation," in the October/December 2008 issue of Quality Management in Health Care. The article highlights findings from a HCFO-sponsored study that evaluated the impact of six patient-centered changes-designed to improve quality by increasing enrollee access to physicians and information-in Group Health Cooperative's (GHC's) delivery system.

Effects of a Consumer Driven Health Plan on Pharmaceutical Spending and Utilization
Stephen T. Parente, Ph.D.

Stephen T. Parente, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of Minnesota, and colleagues published the article, "Effects of a Consumer Driven Health Plan on Pharmaceutical Spending and Utilization," in the October 2008 issue of Health Services Research. The article details findings from a HCFO-sponsored study that examined the impact of consumer-driven health plans on the quality of care, cost, and utilization of health care in the long-term.

Access Intervention in an Integrated, Prepaid Group Practice: Effects on Primary Care Physician Productivity
Douglas A. Conrad, Ph.D.

Douglas A. Conrad, Ph.D., professor at the University of Washington, and colleagues published the article, "Access Intervention in an Integrated, Prepaid Group Practice: Effects on Primary Care Physician Productivity," in the October 2008 supplemental issue of Health Services Research. This article highlights findings from a HCFO-sponsored study-led by David E. Grembowski, Ph.D., also a professor at the University of Washington -that examined the impact of the Group Health Cooperative's Access Initiative on patient and physician satisfaction, physician productivity, costs, and quality of care.  

Specialty and Full-Service Hospitals: A Comparative Cost Analysis
Kathleen Carey, Ph.D.

Kathleen Carey, Ph.D., associate professor at Boston University School of Public Health, and colleagues published the article, "Specialty and Full-Service Hospitals: A Comparative Cost Analysis," in the October 2008 supplemental issue of Health Services Research. The article details findings from a HCFO-sponsored study that examined whether physician-owned, single specialty hospitals (SSHs) were more cost efficient than competing, full-service, acute care hospitals.

Core Dimensions of Connectivity in Public Health Collaboratives
Danielle Varda, Ph.D.

Danielle Varda, Ph.D., assistant professor at the University of Colorado at  Denver and formerly of RAND, and colleagues published the article, "Core Dimensions of Connectivity in Public Health Collaboratives," in the September/October 2008 issue of Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. This article highlights findings from a HCFO study-funded under a special topic solicitation in public health systems research (PHSR)-that examined partnerships and connectivity among state and local public health agencies and other organizations, agencies, and groups.

The Impact of Medicare Coverage Policies on Health Care Utilization
Susan Bartlett Foote, J.D.

Susan Bartlett Foote, J.D. associate professor at the University of Minnesota, and colleagues recently published the article, "The Impact of Medicare Coverage Policies on Health Care Utilization," in the August 2008 issue of Health Services Research. The article details HCFO-sponsored research that examined how Medicare coverage policies-under national coverage determinations and local medical review policies-affect claims, access, and cost.

Effect of Eliminating Behavioral Health Benefits for Selected Medicaid Enrollees
K. John McConnell, Ph.D.

K. John McConnell, Ph.D., assistant professor at the Oregon Health & Science University, and colleagues published the article, "Effect of Eliminating Behavioral Health Benefits for Selected Medicaid Enrollees," in the August 2008 issue of Health Services Research. This article details findings from a HCFO grant led by Jeanene A. Smith, M.D., administrator for the Office for Oregon Health Policy and Research, that examined how benefit changes and increased cost-sharing impacted the Oregon Health Plan in terms of economic viability, access, and coverage.

Does Enrollment in a CDHP Stimulate Cost-Effective Utilization
Judith Hibbard, Dr.P.H.

Judith H. Hibbard, Dr.P.H., professor at the University of Oregon, and colleagues published the article, "Does Enrollment in a CDHP Stimulate Cost-Effective Utilization," in the August 2008 issue of Medical Care Research and Review. This article details findings from a HCFO-sponsored study that examined whether consumer-directed health plan (CDHP) beneficiaries changed their health care utilization-particularly in favor of evidence-based care-after enrolling in a CDHP.  

Michael A. Stoto, Ph.D.

Michael A. Stoto, Ph.D., professor at Georgetown University, and colleagues published three articles in the July/August issue of Public Health Reports. The articles, "Emergency Preparedness as a Catalyst for Regionalizing Local Public Health: The Massachusetts Case Study," "Regionalization in Local Public Health Systems: Variation in Rationale, Implementation, and Impact on Public Health Preparedness," and "Regionalization in Local Public Health Systems: Public Health Preparedness in the Washington Metropolitan Area," present findings from a HCFO-sponsored study that examined the effect of regionalization on public health systems.
 

The Impact Of Consumer-Directed Health Plans On Prescription Drug Use
Judith Hibbard, Dr.P.H.

Do Consumer-Directed Health Plans Drive Change In Enrollees' Health Care Behavior?
Anna Dixon

Judith Hibbard, Dr.P.H., and colleagues published two articles in the July/August 2008 issue of Health Affairs. The articles highlight and discuss results from a HCFO-sponsored study that assessed whether the underlying assumptions of consumer-directed health plans were true. Jessica Greene, Ph.D., assistant professor at the University of Oregon, and colleagues published the article, "The Impact Of Consumer-Directed Health Plans On Prescription Drug Use," and Anna Dixon and colleagues published the article, "Do Consumer-Directed Health Plans Drive Change In Enrollees' Health Care Behavior?"

Episode-Based Physician Profiling: A Guide to the Perplexing
Lewis G. Sandy, M.D.

The article, "Episode-Based Physician Profiling: A Guide to the Perplexing," by Lewis G. Sandy, M.D., executive vice president at UnitedHealth Group, and colleagues was published online by the Journal of General Internal Medicine. This article details findings from HCFO-sponsored research led by J. William Thomas, Ph.D., M.B.A., professor at the University of Southern Maine, that examined physician profiling methodologies.  

Regionalization of Local Public Health Systems in the Era of Preparedness
Howard K. Koh, M.D.

Howard K. Koh, M.D., professor and associate dean at Harvard School of Public Health, and colleagues published the article "Regionalization of Local Public Health Systems in the Era of Preparedness," in the April 2008 volume of Annual Review of Public Health. The article details HCFO-sponsored research led by Michael A. Stoto, Ph.D., formerly at RAND and currently a professor at Georgetown University, that examines the effect of regionalization on public health systems.

Is the Impact of Managed Care on Hospital Prices Decreasing?
David Dranove, Ph.D.

David Dranove, Ph.D., of Northwestern University 's Kellogg School of Management and colleagues published the article, "Is the Impact of Managed Care on Hospital Prices Decreasing?" in the March 2008 issue of Journal of Health Economics. The article highlights findings from a HCFO-sponsored study led by William White, Ph.D., professor at Cornell University, that examined how demand and supply affect prices for inpatient care for privately insured patients in California and Florida and determined whether the underlying assumptions about managed care's ability to control costs have changed.

 

Public Health Workforce Shortages Imperil Nation's Health

The Center for Studying Health System Change released the brief, "Public Health Workforce Shortages Imperil Nation's Health," by Debra A. Draper, Ph.D., associate director, and colleagues at the Center for Studying Health System Change. This brief is based on findings from a HCFO grant -awarded under the second special topic solicitation in public health systems research and led by Robert E. Hurley, Ph.D., senior consulting researcher-that examines local communities' strategies for meeting expanding public health workforce needs.

How Effective Are Copayments in Reducing Expenditures for Low-Income Adult Medicaid Beneficiaries? Experience from the Oregon Health Plan
Neal T. Wallace, Ph.D.

Neal T. Wallace, Ph.D., associate professor at Portland State University, and colleagues recently published an article in the April 2008 issue of Health Services Research titled, "How Effective Are Copayments in Reducing Expenditures for Low-Income Adult Medicaid Beneficiaries? Experience from the Oregon Health Plan." The article highlights findings from a HCFO-sponsored study led by a collaborative team that examined how benefit reductions and increased cost sharing affected the Oregon Health Plan.

Telephone and Web: Mixed-Mode Challenge
Jessica Greene, Ph.D.

Jessica Greene, Ph.D., assistant professor at The University of Oregon, and colleagues published the article, "Telephone and Web: Mixed-Mode Challenge," in the February 2008 issue of Health Services Research. The article examines the effectiveness of the data collection method, mixed-mode surveys, used for a HCFO-sponsored study led by Judith H. Hibbard, Dr.P.H., professor at the University of Oregon. This HCFO study assessed whether the underlying assumptions of consumer-driven health plans were true.

Impact of Medicaid Cutbacks on Emergency Department Use: The Oregon Experience
Robert A. Lowe, M.D.

The article, "Impact of Medicaid Cutbacks on Emergency Department Use: The Oregon Experience," by Robert A. Lowe, M.D., Director of the Center for Policy and Research in Emergency Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University, and colleagues, was recently featured online by the Annals of Emergency Medicine. This article highlights HCFO-sponsored research that examined whether benefit reductions and increased cost sharing impacted the Oregon Health Plan in terms of economic viability, coverage, and access. The researchers found that in the 26 emergency departments in the study, there was a 36 percent increase in the number of uninsured visits per month after the reductions in Oregon Health Plan coverage. The probability of admission for uninsured patients increased 48 percent, suggesting that the uninsured may have delayed care until they became sicker.

Drug Use Patterns in Severely Mentally Ill Medicare Beneficiaries: Impact of Discontinuities in Drug Coverage
Linda Simoni-Wastila, Ph.D.

Linda Simoni-Wastila, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and colleagues recently published the article, "Drug Use Patterns in Severely Mentally Ill Medicare Beneficiaries: Impact of Discontinuities in Drug Coverage," in the April 2008 issue of Health Services Research. The article highlights HCFO-sponsored research that identified gaps in pharmaceutical coverage for Medicare beneficiaries and examined the impact of these gaps on drug utilization, spending, and treatment patterns. The researchers found that individuals with severe mental illnesses who experienced a gap in pharmaceutical coverage were less likely to receive medications than individuals with severe mental illnesses who were continuously insured.

Medicaid HMO Penetration and Its Mix: Did Increased Penetration Affect Physician Participation in Urban Markets?
E. Kathleen Adams, Ph.D. and Bradley Herring, Ph.D.

E. Kathleen Adams, Ph.D., Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, and Bradley Herring, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, Bloomsberg School of Public Health, published the article, "Medicaid HMO Penetration and Its Mix: Did Increased Penetration Affect Physician Participation in Urban Markets?" in the February 2008 issue of Health Services Research. This article details HCFO-sponsored research that examines the effect of Medicaid HMOs on access, mix of utilization, and health care expense.

Hospital Pricing and the Uninsured: Do the Uninsured Pay Higher Prices?
Glenn A. Melnick, Ph.D.

Glenn A. Melnick, Ph.D., of RAND, co-authored the February 5, 2008 Health Affairs Web Exclusive titled, "Hospital Pricing and the Uninsured: Do the Uninsured Pay Higher Prices?" This article details HCFO-sponsored research that examines trends in hospital charges and net revenues to determine whether hospital prices paid by uninsured individuals systematically differ from those paid by insured individuals.

Hospital Ownership and Quality of Care: What Explains the Different Results in Literature?
Karen Eggleston, Ph.D.

Karen Eggleston, Ph.D., formerly of Tufts University and currently at Stanford University, and colleagues published the article, "Hospital Ownership and Quality of Care: What Explains the Different Results in Literature?" in the January 11, 2008 edition of Health Economics. This article highlights HCFO-sponsored research that analyzes the main findings of the empirical literature to determine the effect of hospital ownership on performance.

How Federal and State Policies Affected Hospital Uncompensated Care Provision in the 1990s
Anthony T. Lo Sasso, Ph.D.

Anthony T. Lo Sasso, Ph.D., currently at the University of Chicago at Illinois, recently co-authored the article, "How Federal and State Policies Affected Hospital Uncompensated Care Provision in the 1990s" in the December 2007 issue of Medical Care Research and Review. This article details HCFO-sponsored research, funded while Lo Sasso worked at Northwestern University, that examines the impact of the health care safety net, specifically hospital uncompensated care, on health insurance coverage of children.

Implementing Evidence-Based Medicine Through Medicare Coverage Decisions
Susan Bartlett Foote, J.D., and Robert J. Town, Ph.D.

Susan Bartlett Foote, J.D., and Robert J. Town, Ph.D., professors at the University of Minnesota, co-authored the article, "Implementing Evidence-Based Medicine Through Medicare Coverage Decisions," in the November/December 2007 issue of Health Affairs. The article details HCFO-sponsored research that examines how Medicare coverage policies, under national coverage determinations and local medical review policies, affect claims, access, and cost.

Predicting Risk Selection Following Major Changes in Medicare
Steven D. Pizer, Ph.D.

Steven D. Pizer, Ph.D., assistant professor, and Austin B. Frakt, health systems research scientist, both of Boston University School of Public Health, co-authored the article, "Attribute Substitution in Early Enrollment Decisions into Medicare Prescription Drug Plans." The article appears in the October 12, 2007 issue of Health Economics and details HCFO-sponsored research examining market entry and exit behavior of private health plans, including prescription drug plans, in Medicare.

Patient Samples for Measuring Primary Care Physician Performance: Who Should Be Included?
Ted von Glahn

Ted von Glahn, director of consumer engagement for the Pacific Business Group on Health, and colleagues recently published the article, "Patient Samples for Measuring Primary Care Physician Performance: Who Should Be Included?" in the October 2007 issue of Medical Care. This article highlights HCFO-sponsored research examining the impact of patient-reported physician performance information on patient selection of physicians.

Effects of State Managed Care Patient Protection Laws on Physician Satisfaction
Mark A. Hall, J.D.

Mark A. Hall, J.D., professor at Wake Forest University, and colleagues published the article, "Effects of State Managed Care Patient Protection Laws on Physician Satisfaction," in the October 2007 issue of Medical Care Research and Review. The article details HCFO-sponsored research on the effects of state managed care patient protection laws on patients, providers, plans, and network, corporate, and market structures.

What We Know and Do Not Know About Tiered Provider Networks
J. William Thomas, Ph.D.

J. William Thomas, Ph.D., and colleagues at the University of Southern Maine's Institute for Health Policy authored the article, "What We Know and Do Not Know About Tiered Provider Networks," that appears in the Summer 2007 issue of the Journal of Health Care Finance. The article details HCFO-sponsored research examining the structure, implementation, and operation of tiered provider networks. Findings are based on surveys of health plan executives, employer clients, and providers.

What Length of Hospice Use Maximizes Reduction in Medical Expenditures Near Death in the US Medicare Program
Donald H. Taylor, Ph.D.

Donald H. Taylor, Ph.D., assistant professor of public policy at Duke University, and colleagues authored the article, "What Length of Hospice Use Maximizes Reduction in Medical Expenditures Near Death in the US Medicare Program," that appears in the June 2007 issue of Social Science and Medicine. The article details HCFO-sponsored research regarding the relationship between the length of hospice care and Medicare expenditures.

What Do Nonprofits Maximize? Nonprofit Hospital Service Provision and Market Ownership Mix
Jill R. Horwitz, Ph.D., J.D., M.P.P. and Austin Nichols, Ph.D., M.P.P.

Jill R. Horwitz, Ph.D., J.D., M.P.P., assistant professor of law at the University of Michigan, and Austin Nichols, Ph.D., M.P.P., of the Urban Institute, authored the article, "What Do Nonprofits Maximize? Nonprofit Hospital Service Provision and Market Ownership Mix." The July 2007 paper appears in the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) Working Paper Series and examines HCFO-sponsored research regarding the provision of services and market share for non-profit, for-profit, and government-owned hospitals.  

Hospital Ownership and Financial Performance: What Explains the Different Findings in the Empirical Literature?
Karen Eggleston, Ph.D.

Karen Eggleston, Ph.D., assistant professor of economics at Tufts University, co-authored an article titled "Hospital Ownership and Financial Performance: What Explains the Different Findings in the Empirical Literature?" The article details HCFO-sponsored research on hospital ownership and financial performance.

Nursing Home Use by Dual-Eligible Beneficiaries in the Last Year of Life
Korbin Liu, Ph.D.

Korbin Liu, Ph.D., principal research associate at The Urban Institute, co-authored an article titled "Nursing Home Use by Dual-Eligible Beneficiaries in the Last Year of Life." The article details HCFO-sponsored research on the financial implications of end-of-life care in a nursing home rather than an acute care facility.

Consumer-Directed Health Plans: New Evidence on Spending and Utilization
Stephen Parente, Ph.D.

Stephen Parente, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of Minnesota, co-authored an article titled "Consumer-Directed Health Plans: New Evidence on Spending and Utilization." The article details HCFO-sponsored research on consumer use of health care services and spending under consumer-directed health plans.

Do State Parity Laws Reduce the Financial Burden on Families of Children with Mental Health Care Needs?
Susan H. Busch, Ph.D.

Susan H. Busch, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Yale University School of Medicine, co-authored an article titled, "Do State Parity Laws Reduce the Financial Burden on Families of Children with Mental Health Care Needs?" that appeared in the June 2007 issue of the Health Services Research. The article describes HCFO-sponsored research examining the financial impact of state parity laws on families of children requiring mental health services.

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