Commonwealth Fund News and Research

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KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: The future of public health, 2022 edition

It's been nearly a year since KHN's "What the Health?" podcast took a deep dive into public health, and much has changed.

25 Aug 2022

Urgent action needed to address disparities in women’s heart health

Investing in and improving research, awareness and equity in women's heart health are critical for the health and well-being of women, according to a new Presidential Advisory from the American Heart Association, published today in the Association's flagship journal Circulation.

9 May 2022

Study determines how much U.S. hospitals mark up the price of cancer therapies

U.S. spending on cancer therapies has risen sharply in recent years. Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital analyzed data on drug pricing from 61 National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers to determine how much U.S. hospitals mark up the price of cancer therapies for patients with private health insurance.

24 Apr 2022

The vaccine rollout was a success. But events within and beyond Biden’s control stymied progress.

Eleven months ago, President Joe Biden assumed office during one of the most critical moments of the covid-19 pandemic. Case counts and death rates were shockingly high.

20 Dec 2021

Florida Sen. Rick Scott off base in claim that rise in Medicare premiums is due to inflation

Republicans blame President Joe Biden for this year's historic surge in inflation, reflected in higher prices for almost everything — from cars and gas to food and housing.

24 Nov 2021

Democrats plan to expand Medicare hearing benefits. What can consumers expect?

President Joe Biden's mammoth domestic spending bill would add hearing benefits to the traditional Medicare program — one of three major new benefits Democrats had sought.

5 Nov 2021

UTSA research could be key to decreasing maternal mortality rates in the U.S.

Researchers from The University of Texas at San Antonio College for Health, Community and Policy (HCaP) have conducted a study that could be key to decreasing maternal mortality rates in the U.S.

26 Oct 2021

A primary care physician for every American, science panel urges

The federal government must aggressively bolster primary care and connect more Americans with a dedicated source of care, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine warn in a major report that sounds the alarm about an endangered foundation of the U.S. health system.

4 May 2021

New cancer immunotherapy uses engineered T cells to target a common genetic alteration

Researchers developed a prototype for a new cancer immunotherapy that uses engineered T cells to target a genetic alteration common among all cancers.

15 Mar 2021

Researchers develop mutant gene-targeted immunotherapy approach to fight cancers

A novel targeted immunotherapy approach developed by researchers at the Ludwig Center, the Lustgarten Laboratory, and Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center employs new antibodies against genetically altered proteins to target cancers.

1 Mar 2021

Take-at-home tests increase colorectal cancer screening rates by more than 1,000%

Colorectal cancer screening rates jumped by more than 1,000 percent when researchers sent take-at-home tests to patients overdue for testing at a community health center that predominantly serves people of color.

8 Feb 2021

Surprise! Congress takes steps to curb unexpected medical bills

Most Americans tell pollsters they're worried about being able to afford an unexpected medical bill.

22 Dec 2020

CUNY SPH launches new initiative to address public concerns about COVID-19 vaccines

The City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) today launched CONVINCE USAsm, part of a global project to increase understanding of factors that influence people's willingness to accept new COVID-19 vaccines, and to promote inclusive public dialogue to reduce vaccine hesitancy.

3 Dec 2020

It’s open enrollment. Here’s what you need to know

California's annual health insurance enrollment season for individuals and families kicks off this week against a dramatic backdrop: the hotly contested presidential election; a pandemic raging out of control in much of the U.S.; and, on Nov. 10, a Supreme Court hearing of a case that could end the Affordable Care Act and strand millions without coverage.

4 Nov 2020

A $10,000 Obamacare penalty? Doubtful.

A viral Facebook post claims that former President Barack Obama's health insurance law penalized a family a large amount of money for not buying health insurance and that President Donald Trump was responsible for stopping the practice.

29 Oct 2020

New report calls for improved Medicare home health benefit for older adults

Older adults have suffered disproportionately from the COVID-19 pandemic, with increased risk of severe illness and death reported across the globe.

23 Oct 2020

Cory Gardner’s bill has as much to do with politics as preexisting conditions

Sen. Cory Gardner, a Republican running in a tight race for reelection in Colorado, says he wants to protect people with medical conditions.

18 Sep 2020

Missouri voters approve Medicaid expansion despite GOP resistance

Despite strong opposition from Republicans and rural voters, Missouri on Tuesday joined 37 states and the District of Columbia in expanding its Medicaid program. Voters in Missouri approved creating a state constitutional amendment that will open Medicaid eligibility to include healthy adults starting July 1, 2021.

5 Aug 2020

Administration eases rules to give laid-off workers more time to sign up for COBRA

People who've been laid off or furloughed from their jobs now have significantly more time to decide whether to hang on to their employer-sponsored health insurance, according to a recent federal rule.

20 Jul 2020

Colorado, like other states, trims health programs amid health crisis

As a teenager, Paulina Castle struggled for years with suicidal thoughts. When her mental health was at its most fragile, she would isolate herself, spending days in her room alone.

10 Jul 2020