JAMA: Health Policy/Health Economics Topic Collection

Cost Consequences of the 340B Drug Discount Program Cost Consequences of the 340B Drug Discount Program

Conti RM, Bach PB. — Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Created in 1992, a little-known federal drug discount program called “340B” allowed a handful of hospitals that cared for the poor to obtain drugs for their patients at substantially reduced prices. Today, through a series of expansions, including some enumerated in the Affordable Care Act, numerous other types of entities such as community hospitals and cancer centers that serve both the poor and the well-insured can participate. Between 2009 and 2012 the number of enrolled hospitals doubled, and today the program includes 1679 hospitals, a third of all hospitals in the United States.

The Role of Medicaid and Medicare in Women's Health Care

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

This month's Visualizing Health Policy provides information about the role of Medicaid and Medicare in women's health care: the proportion of US women who are covered by Medicaid and Medicare; how women comprise the majority of those covered by the Medicaid and Medicare programs and the majority of those receiving long-term services and supports (such as home health care); how women on Medicaid are poorer and sicker than women with private coverage; how Medicaid is a primary payer for women's reproductive health services; and how women on Medicare spend more than their male counterparts on medical care and also have higher rates of health problems and social challenges. For a complete view, select the PDF available in the upper-right article toolbar.

Finding Ways to Cut Drug Costs

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Adults in the United States have found a number of ways to reduce their prescription drug costs, and some could be hazardous to their health.