Health Equity & Access Weekly Roundup: September 28, 2024

State Policy Opportunities to Control Health Care Prices: A CPR Report

A recent report by Catalyst for Payment Reform (CPR) highlights the potential for state-specific policy interventions to curb rising health care costs in the US. The report, based on interviews with stakeholders in Florida, Michigan, and Nevada, identifies widespread support for state-driven reforms, though there is disagreement on how best to implement them. While purchasers and policymakers back measures to promote competition and limit anticompetitive practices, hospitals are viewed as key opponents to price-reducing reforms. CPR’s findings emphasize the importance of tailoring policies to state-specific challenges, such as rural health care access and provider competition.

Uplifting Rural Communities

In celebration of National Recovery Month, this Managed Care Cast series with UPMC Health Plan features discussions on addressing disparities in behavioral health care, particularly in rural and underserved communities. In the fourth episode, Amy Herschell, PhD, and Jessica Meyers, MSEd, highlight the importance of collaborative efforts between payers, providers, and communities to implement grant-funded initiatives that integrate physical and behavioral health care. The conversation also explores how National Recovery Month can inspire continued funding and innovation in health care solutions aimed at underserved populations.

CMMI's Latest Payment Models Address Health Disparities, but Challenges Remain

The federal government, through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), is intensifying efforts to address health care disparities by linking payment models to social determinants of health. In 2025, CMMI will replace the current Area Deprivation Index (ADI) measure with a new metric from the Accountable Care Organization Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health (ACO REACH) model. While these changes aim to improve equity, a JAMA Health Forum study revealed regional disparities, with Northeastern and Western states benefiting more than Southern and Midwestern regions. The report calls for ongoing refinement of the Health Equity Benchmark Adjustment formula to ensure a scientifically sound and equitable allocation of resources nationwide.

Expanding Access to Innovative Cancer Treatments

Linda Bosserman, MD, PhD, FASCO, FACP, medical oncologist and professor at City of Hope, emphasized the importance of expanding access to cutting-edge cancer treatments during a panel discussion at an Institute for Value-Based Medicine^® (IVBM) event. The discussion, titled "Bringing Academic Medicine and Optimal Cancer Care to the Community," focused on how to implement advanced therapies and clinical trials across various settings, especially for patients treated outside major cancer centers. Bosserman highlighted City of Hope’s initiatives, such as using electronic health records and second-opinion services like Access Hope, to ensure that cancer expertise reaches patients nationwide.

Supporting Military and Veteran Caregivers: Effective Strategies to Improve Mental Health and Reduce Caregiver Burden

At the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's Ninth Annual National Convening on Military Caregiving, the RAND Corporation presented a study highlighting the significant financial and emotional burdens faced by the 14.3 million military and veteran caregivers in the US. These caregivers, who often provide complex medical care, experience high rates of depression, food insecurity, and financial strain, with many losing over $13,000 annually. The study suggested that caregivers are undervalued by health care providers and face limited workplace support. Recommendations include expanding access to mental health care, financial assistance, and tailoring support programs to meet diverse caregiver needs through in-person and telehealth services.