Cost Remains a Barrier to Health Care for Many Americans

August 13, 2018

The high cost of health care, even for people with health insurance, remains a primary concern for many Americans. From the instability of the ever-changing federal health care law, to increasing premiums and co-pays, to uncertainty about medical bills, Americans are worried about their ability to afford health care.

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National Immunization Awareness Month; Know the Facts

August 10, 2018

August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), an annual observance established to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. NIAM is sponsored by the National Public Health Information Coalition, in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

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New Research Identifies Why Patients and Families are Uncomfortable Sharing Concerns and Asking Questions

August 08, 2018

A BMJ Quality & Safety survey reveals why some patients and family members do not speak up to their physicians and other members of their medical team when they have concerns or questions.

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Employers are Adopting Value Innovations to Manage Health Care Costs and Improve Health

August 07, 2018

The Duke Margolis Center for Health Policy recently released a brief which highlights new initiatives that employers are adopting to manage rising health care costs and improve employee health.

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Americans Divided About Value of Medical Treatment; Concerned About Cost

July 16, 2018

While new survey results show a divide among Americans about the value of medical treatments, a strong majority (83%) expressed concern that the cost of medical treatment was a barrier to high-quality health care.

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Medicaid Expansion Associated with Increases in Coverage and Quality of Care

July 03, 2018

Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) contributed to improvements in the quality of care and coverage, according to a recent Health Affairs analysis of 77 published studies.

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U.S. Senate Committee Discusses Oversight of 340B Drug Discount Program

June 19, 2018

During a hearing before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee, the federal agency in charge of the 340B Drug Discount Program outlined how the program works and provided an overview of steps that have been taken to strengthen oversight.

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National Health Care Groups Act to Support Health Care Coverage for People with Pre-existing Conditions

June 15, 2018

A group of national hospital, physician, and insurance advocacy groups are taking legal action to protect health care coverage for people with pre-existing conditions.

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Consumers and Hospitals Help Get Votes to Pass Critical Telemedicine Bill

June 13, 2018

Hospitals and consumers played a key role in getting a telemedicine bill approved that will expand access to health care. Today, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 780, sponsored by Senator Elder Vogel (R-Beaver).

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Trump Administration Argues that Key Parts of ACA Should be Invalidated

June 08, 2018

Yesterday, the Trump Administration sided with Texas and a coalition of 19 other Republican-led states that filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

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Pennsylvania Expects Modest Premium Increases for 2019

June 05, 2018

Today, Pennsylvania’s Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman announced that Pennsylvania health insurers are requesting an aggregate statewide increase of 4.9 percent for 2019 health insurance plans. This increase is a much lower increase than the national trend. All of the health insurers that participated in the 2018 Pennsylvania health insurance market will remain in the market for 2019.

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New Medicaid and CHIP Scorecard to include Information on Pennsylvania’s Programs

June 05, 2018

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released information late yesterday about a new scorecard for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The new scorecard, which will include state and federally reported measures, expects to increase transparency and accountability, as well as provide information about how states, including Pennsylvania, are managing their programs. 

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Lawmakers Look to Medicare Advantage Program to Test Health Care Innovation

May 11, 2018

A Congressional committee hearing focused on how the Medicare Advantage program can help improve quality and health outcomes.

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National Rural Health Council Announces Rural Health Strategy

May 08, 2018

A new national rural health strategy aims to make rural health care accessible, affordable, and accountable. The Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services Rural Health Council (RHC) developed the strategy with rural stakeholder and consumer input.

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HAP Statement: Pennsylvania’s Hospitals Provide Cutting-Edge Care and So Much More

May 07, 2018

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