Journal of Health Affairs News

Study Finds State, Local Measures Have Reduced Coronavirus Cases by 34 Million

A new report titled, “Strong Social Distancing Measures in the United States Reduced the COVID-19 Growth Rate” finds that steps taken to reduce the spread of corononavirus by state and local governments have had a major impact. The results imply …

Study: 43% of Insurers’ Prescription Payments Going to Specialty Drugs

The latest study of medicine prices finds U.S. insurers’ spending on expensive prescription drugs nearly quadrupled from 2003 through 2014, when the number of such prescriptions filled tripled. Spending on expensive “specialty” drugs by commercial insurance plans jumped from 11 …

Public, Private Insurers Picking Up More of Opioid Drug Costs

According to a study released by Centers for Disease Control (CDC), consumer out-of-pocket spending on opioids has declined, with insurers picking up more of the tab. The study found that consumer out-of-pocket spending on opioids per 100 morphine milligram equivalents …

Fundamental Changes Spur Health Spending Dip: Study

Slower growth in the pace of U.S. healthcare spending reflects a fundamental change in the use of medical services that could save the country nearly $800 billion in the next decade, according to two new studies released on Monday. The …