- A variety of government and health care organizations are now eligible to tap into newly announced funding by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The $27.5 million aims to help address women’s behavioral health needs. The latest funding is made possible by the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan. It is intended to support women’s behavioral health by expanding access to services and enhancing the capacity of providers to identify and address mental health conditions, substance use, and gender-based violence. The funding is available through two programs. One will focus on community-based maternal behavioral health services, with $15 million available. Its goal is to improve access to timely, culturally appropriate and evidence-based maternal mental health and substance use treatment. The program aims to strengthen community referral pathways and make transitions in care smoother for pregnant women, particularly those at risk for or with a behavioral health condition in the perinatal and postpartum periods. (Article here)
- A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reveals that nearly half of all counties in the United States lack a practicing cardiologist, creating what researchers term as “cardiology deserts.” The research, conducted by Dr. Haider Warraich of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and GoodRx, highlights that 46.3 percent of U.S. counties do not have access to a cardiologist. The majority of these counties are rural and characterized by higher rates of chronic health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, smoking, hypertension, and high cholesterol. This lack of specialized care exacerbates health disparities, as residents in these areas often face barriers to accessing necessary cardiovascular treatments and interventions. (Article here)
- A study funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and conducted by the Urban Institute revealed that from 2019 to 2022, nearly 5 million fewer non-elderly Americans delayed necessary medical care, dropping from 12.1 percent to 9.7 percent. This improvement is attributed to federal and state policy changes during the public health emergency, including Medicaid continuous coverage requirements and enhanced tax credits. Cost barriers were significantly reduced, with a 27 percent decrease for families below 138 percent of the federal poverty line and a 19 percent decrease for families between 138 percent and 249 percent of the poverty line. The study also noted a decline in uninsured rates from 14.5 percent to 12.4 percent, particularly in states that expanded Medicaid. Researchers underscored the importance of continuing these policies to sustain gains in health care access and coverage, especially as certain subsidies are set to expire after 2025. (Article here)
July 17, 2024
Access & Coverage | Tea Leaves