Effects of state reinsurance programs on health insurance exchange premiums and insurer participation

Objective

The aim of the study was to estimate the effect of the state-based reinsurance programs through the section 1332 State Innovation Waivers on health insurance marketplace premiums and insurer participation.

Data Source

2015 to 2022 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Insurance Exchange Compare Datasets.

Study Design

An event study difference-in-differences (DD) model separately for each year of implementation and a synthetic control method (SCM) are used to estimate year-by-year effects following program implementation.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Not applicable.

Principal Findings

Reinsurance programs were associated with a decline in premiums in the first year of implementation by 10%–13%, 5%–19%, and 11%–17% for bronze, silver, and gold plans (p < 0.05). There is a trend of sustained declines especially for states that implemented their programs in 2019 and 2020. The SCM analyses suggest some effect heterogeneity across states but also premium declines across most states. There is no evidence that reinsurance programs affected insurer participation.

Conclusion

State-based reinsurance programs have the potential to improve the affordability of health insurance coverage. However, reinsurance programs do not appear to have had an effect on insurer participation, highlighting the need for policy makers to consider complementary strategies to encourage insurer participation.     

2010—2020年北京市房山区梅毒防治效果分析

目的了解北京市房山区梅毒规划(2010—2020年)实施期间梅毒防治效果和各考核指标达标情况,为下一步制定有效的梅毒防治策略提供科学依据。方法根据《中国预防与控制梅毒规划(2010—2020年)》(以下简称《梅控规划》)终期评估的要求,通过专网、现场调查、APP答题等方式对涉及的16个指标进行收集,并将16个指标划分为梅毒防治保障措施的落实、防治工作开展和防治效果3个层面进行评估,同时将评估结果与终期评估标准进行比较。采用SPSS 18.0软件进行描述性统计分析。结果2010—2020年北京市房山区共报告梅毒病例3260例,年均报告发病率27.99/10万,年均增长0.08%,男女比例基本持平,以25岁年龄组病例数最多,历年病例均以隐性梅毒为主。保障措施与能力建设方面均达标;防治工作方面:感染梅毒的孕产妇所生婴幼儿接受规范诊疗服务的比例为50.00%,梅毒患者接受规范化治疗的比例86.11%,两指标未达标,其余均达标;防治效果中一期和二期梅毒年报告发病率增长幅度为3.80%,未达标,先天梅毒年报告发病率为9.25/10万活产数达到了《梅控规划》的工作要求。结论2010—2020年北京市房山区梅毒防治工作取得了一定成效,但部分指标仍未达标,应继续加强梅毒防治工作,尤其是需提高规范化诊疗的比例同时控制新发梅毒发病率。     

Efficacy of istradefylline for gait disorders with freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease: A single-arm,open-label,prospective, multicenter study

Background: Gait disorders are common in Parkinson’s disease patients who respond poorly to dopaminergic treatment. Blockade of adenosine A_2A receptors is expected to improve gait disorders. Istradefylline is a first-in-class selective adenosine A_2A receptor antagonist with benefits for motor complications associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Research design and methods: This multicenter, open-label, single-group, prospective interventional study evaluated changes in total gait-related scores of the Part II/III Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) and Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOG-Q) in 31 Parkinson’s disease patients treated with istradefylline. Gait analysis by portable gait rhythmogram was performed.

Results: MDS-UPDRS Part III gait-related total scores significantly decreased at Weeks 4–12 from baseline with significant improvements in gait, freezing of gait, and postural stability. Significant decreases in MDS-UPDRS Part II total scores and individual item scores at Week 12 indicated improved daily living activities. At Week 12, there were significant improvements in FOG-Q, new FOG-Q, and overall movement per 48 h measured by portable gait rhythmogram. Adverse events occurred in 7/31 patients.

Conclusions: Istradefylline improved gait disorders in Parkinson’s disease patients complicated with freezing of gait, improving their quality of life. No unexpected adverse drug reactions were identified.

Trial registration: UMIN-CTR (UMIN000020288).     

Barriers and characteristics for successful transition to adult healthcare for individuals with cerebral palsy: a systematic review

Abstract

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common childhood disability. However, these individuals are now living longer lives, participating in adult roles, and seeking healthcare services. The transition from pediatric to adult healthcare for adolescents with CP is a challenging yet significant time. Adolescents experience several barriers during transition.

Objectives: To utilize the environmental and personal dimensions of the ICF model in order to explore barriers when transitioning to adulthood as well as discuss characteristics and physical therapy implications needed to succeed within transition.

Methods: Electronic searching of PubMed, CINAHL, ERIC, Scopus, ProQuest, and the Cochrane Library databases was concluded on January 9, 2019 for studies including transition between pediatric and adult healthcare in individuals diagnosed with CP. Two independent reviewers agreed upon inclusion, eligibility, and quality assessment of each study using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

Results: Seven studies were included in the systematic review. Results for each study were separated based on the personal and environmental contextual factors of the ICF model and solutions to the barriers were then discussed.

Conclusions: Research has provided proposed solutions to select barriers, however, other barriers have yet to be addressed. More research is needed to address these barriers and provide a model program that can be implemented within the healthcare systems to promote a successful transition for adolescents with CP from pediatric to adult services.     

Systematic review: Predictors of students’ success in baccalaureate nursing programs

Nursing schools strive to select a diverse student population who are likely to succeed by ensuring timely student progression through the program and effective use of educational sources. The purpose of this systematic literature review is to explore the preadmission variables and selection criteria that predict student success in 4-year baccalaureate nursing programs in the U.S. Sixteen articles met the eligibility criteria, and six measures were used to define student success: (a) early academic success, particularly during the first and second year; (b) attrition; (c) timely completion of the program; (d) graduation; (e) performance in nursing courses; and (f) academic performance in other science courses. Typically, the core set of cognitive predictors used in the admission process in nursing schools were pre-nursing GPA, pre-nursing collegiate science GPA, and scores on standardized aptitude exams. This review suggests that it is challenging to isolate one single variable as the best predictor of student success; however, using a combination of variables can offer a reliable prediction method. More researchers should consider using a theoretical basis to guide their inquiry on this topic. Additionally, researchers should examine admission variables that are most relevant across programs.     

员工援助计划服务对心内科护士职业认同感、职业价值观、职业压力的影响

目的 探讨员工援助计划服务对心内科护士职业认同感、职业价值观、职业压力的影响。 方法 选择2018年1-3月我院心内科护理人员58名,为其实施员工援助计划服务,评价实施前后心内科护士的职业认同感、职业价值观、职业压力感知、职业压力反应。 结果 实施后,心内科护士工作压力源各维度评分、压力感知与压力反应各维度得分均较实施前下降(P＜0.05);职业价值观各维度及职业认同感各维度评分均较实施前显著提高(P＜0.001)。 结论 员工援助计划可提高心内科护士职业认同感、职业价值观,缓解其职业压力感知以及职业压力反应。     

Bilateral Implantation of Centromedian‐Parafascicularis Complex and GPi: A New Combination of Unconventional Targets for Deep Brain Stimulation in Severe Parkinson Disease

Objectives. Traditional deep brain stimulation (DBS) at the subthalamic nucleus (STN) has proved to be efficacious on core Parkinsonian symptoms. However, very disabling l ‐dopa–induced abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) and axial signs are slightly affected, suggesting that we target less conventional targets. Our candidates for DBS were the globus pallidus internus (GPi) plus the intralaminar thalamic complex (Pf or CM), given its extensive functional links with basal ganglia nuclei. Materials and Methods. The routine utilization of our innovative stereotactic apparatus allows us to implant, at the same time, both the CM‐Pf complex together with the GPi in six Parkinson disease patients. Both intraoperative and postoperative neurophysiologic assessments helped us recognize functional subregions while optimizing implantation of electrodes. Unified Parkinson disease rating scale (UPDRS) motor scores, AIMs, and freezing were carefully blindly evaluated for each condition. Results. A significant amelioration of UPDRS scores was achieved by simultaneous activation of both targets. CM‐Pf activation was only slightly effective in reducing rigidity and akinesia, but more efficacious on freezing. Not surprisingly, AIMs were peculiarly decreased by the activation of the permanent electro‐catheter in the posteroventral GPi. Conclusions. These findings confirm that, in selected patients, it is conceivable to target structures other than the conventional STN in order to maximize clinical benefit.     

氩氦刀的原理与应用中的优势和不足

氩氯刀是目前肿瘤治疗的新方法，其原理是通过组织细胞急冻急升温的方法实现的，比手术、化疗、放疗治疗方法简单，副作用小，费用低。但也存在冷冻后的问题，其适应证也受到限制。     

Measuring the Quality of Hospital-based Domestic Violence Programs

OBJECTIVE: To obtain consensus among a panel of experts on performance measures useful for evaluating the quality of hospital-based domestic violence (DV) programs. METHODS: The Delphi process of consensus development was used with a panel of 18 experts including DV researchers, program planners, and advocates. Three rounds were conducted over a period of six months, with each round involving the completion of a written questionnaire. Panelists were instructed to concentrate on structure and process measures of DV program performance. Health outcome measures were not considered. During each round, panelists rated (scale of 1-5) their level of agreement with each measure, in terms of the measure's usefulness for evaluating hospital-based DV programs. Data were entered into SPSS on a personal computer and frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, and variance were computed for each measure. Consensus development was defined as a reduction in the item-specific variance from one round to the next. RESULTS: A total of 37 performance measures were agreed upon. These measures fell within nine different domains of DV program activities, including: Policies and Procedures, Hospital Physical Environment, Hospital Cultural Environment, Training of Providers, Screening and Safety Assessment, Documentation, Intervention Services, Evaluation Activities, and Collaboration. CONCLUSIONS: A number of measures have been identified as useful for evaluating hospital-based DV programs. Use of these measures should assist researchers, program planners, and administrators in assessing the quality of hospital-based DV programs.     

Some practical perspectives for educating gifted children

This article identifies common characteristics of educationally related programs that form a common basis for understanding and working with gifted programs. Special approaches and programs for educational enrichment as well as specific activities that have been successful are discussed.